Land Rover Discovery 4 Review: AutoExpress

British firm updates Land Rover Discovery for 2012 model year

Land Rover Discovery 4

Rating: * * * * *

If there’s one firm that knows a thing or two about building off-roaders, it’s Land Rover. However, the Land Rover Discovery 4 is also one of the best family casrs you can buy, which is why it was voted our Best SUV winner in our 2011 New Car Awards, despite facing stiff competition from a slew of newer rivals. But Land Rover isn’t resting on its laurels, and the firm has refined the Discovery for 2012. 

One area where the Disco package fell down was with its high emissions figures. But for 2012 Land Rover has introduced two power outputs for the 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbodiesel. The higher powered version has jumped from 242bhp to 252bhp, but emissions have dropped from 244g/km to 230g/km, bringing the Discovery into line with the most efficient off-roaders available. Even better than that, the entry-level diesel, which makes 208bhp, has emissions of 224g/km, which drops the Discovery down two road tax bands.

The new engine is only part of the story, as all cars also get an eight-speed ZF gearbox, which is more efficient than the seven-speed unit it replaces. It’s operated with a Jaguar XF-style dial selector that rises from the centre console, which is a neat touch.

Elsewhere inside, the touchscreen sat-nav system has been given a makeover with bolder graphics, there’s polished silver trim on the centre console and doors, and all models in the range now get a premium sound system that’s the same as the one found in the Range Rover Evoque.

The Discovery’s talent for carrying passengers hasn’t changed, and the cabin is big, airy and comfortable. There’s room for three adults in the back, while another pair of seats can be found in the boot, which further adds to the Discovery’s versatility.

On the road, the Discovery is a comfortable cruiser that’s capable of covering long distances with ease. You have a commanding view of the road ahead, while the new high-power diesel has plenty of punch to make light work of the Disco’s weight. In fact, the only time you’re really aware of the car’s size is under heavy braking.

The new eight-speed auto shifts smoothly, which makes the wheel-mounted paddleshifters somewhat redundant, and it kicks down quickly when you need extra power, although it does seem to do this quite frequently when you’re on the move.

Of course, where the Discovery really stands apart from other family cars is the fact that it can tackle virtually any terrain you throw at it. Simply switch Land Rover’s Terrain Response system to the setting you require, and the Discovery can go places where even rival SUVs would fear to tread.

Source: Auto Express

Land Rover Discovery 4 Review

Despite exterior changes and LED-style headlamps, this is unmistakably a Land Rover Discovery.

LAND Rover’s 2011-series Discovery 4 continues to evolve, and while we’ve yet to get our hands on the very latest model with all-new eight-speed auto ‘box, this heavily revised current model continues to impress.

Out goes the TDV6’s 2.7-litre and in comes a high efficiency 3.0 litre. It still uses two turbos, but parallel sequential plumbing means a greater kick comes from much lower rpm.

While the bigger turbo does most of the work for most of the time, the smaller turbo remains dormant until high power outputs are needed. Land Rover says this design reduces pumping losses and helps improve fuel economy.

But when the engine room is summoned to give it all, the turbo system keeps the 3.0 litre V6 buzzing, never letting the engine run out of breath.

It means a whopping 600Nm of torque is on standby to propel the 2.5 tonne 4x4 out the blocks with a level of pace that makes the figures look like a mistake. There is much better lock-up from the torque converter too, taking away some of the slushiness that can rob auto boxes of efficiency.

Idle speed has been lowered to 710rpm and the introduction of a regenerative, smart charging system means the alternator does most of its work when the Discovery is coasting, rather than accelerating. Expect fuel efficiency to slide upwards into the low 30’s.

Van-sized proportions lead to generous load space. The boot cleverly hides a third row of seats, too.

Functionality

Neither does it stop there. Tweaks to the clever Terrain Response system have added yet more off-road functionality to the transmission, designed to give more safety and support for those straying off the black top.

As a result, Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control have been added to the Discovery 4’s repertoire. Applying a decent amount of brake pedal pressure at standstill rewards the driver with brakes being held on for a few seconds, or until start-up torque is sufficient to overcome brake resistance.

Gradient Acceleration Control, however, intervenes on downhill slopes when Hill Descent Control has not been activated. It slows the car to a limit determined by throttle position - otherwise, the system restricts speed to 3.1mph for up to 20 seconds, to allow the driver to regain control.

Classier

The interior is now reminiscent of a top-spec Range Rover.

The interior of this latest Discovery is now much classier than it used to be, hinting it wants to follow its bigger brother, the Range Rover, into the premium sector. It is now a nice place to sit, reinforced by brilliantly composed air suspension, which soaks up everything our British road surfaces can muster.

It is only slightly marred by the upright windscreen and mirrors the size of grain shovels, which conspire to to amplify wind noise at higher speeds.

While there is no questioning the Discovery’s off-road credentials with the sophisticated Terrain Response system, this new engine has raised its game a couple of notches and transformed the boxy 4x4 from merely mediocre, to a solid performer which deals a much better hand on the open road.

We can only hope the arrival of an eight-speed auto box finally gives Discovery drivers a five-star experience.

Source: Farmers Guardian