New Land Rover Discovery is a Techno - Fest

By Stuart Johnston

Probably the biggest philosophical change in the new Land Rover Discovery – apart from its rather radical new looks – is that it is now a sophisticated highway cruiser, as well as a serious off-roader.

The out-going model was still something of a lumpy, cumbersome old Labrador on city streets and on the highway, but this new model is more of a…well, a Doberman, if you are intent on sticking to the canine analogy.

The New Look

The most controversial aspect of the new Discovery is its appearance. It looks sleek from the front, but from side-on it is a bit heavy around the haunches. This is to accommodate its basic seven-seater configuration. Also, some of the trim fittings don’t seem to have the ruggedness that one would associate with a name like Land Rover. I didn’t like the way the wheel-arch protectors seemed to be merely clipped in, rather than securely fastened.

Aah, But the ride!

In the ‘burbs and on the freeway, which is where most of these massive SUVs will spend most of their time,  the impression of refinement simply takes one’s breath away. Your progress is majestic, smooth as silk. And despite this beast weighing in at close to 2 200 kg, the feeling of control at speed is precise, the car responding quickly and confidently to steering wheel movements.

In keeping with this new on-road acumen, inside it is a plush sports car, rather than caveman-comes-to-the- big-city. The only concession to its old heritage is in the chunky design of the steering wheel. But the cockpit is dominated by the latest in infotainment and visual aids, and the sporty seats and dash are all finished off in leather.

How  Quick?

For a seven-seater, even one fitted with a supercharged three-litre engine, it is damned quick! The 250 kW TSi-6 SE version has a rated zero-to-100 km/h time of just 7,1 seconds and a top speed of 215 km/h. This model uses the supercharged 3.0-litre V6 motor more commonly found in Jaguar models (Land Rover being part of the same umbrella company) and its refinement gives the Discovery a wonderful, zestful attitude.

The Tsi-6 has an overall consumption rating of 11,5 litres/100 km, but in normal use you’ll be lucky to better 15,0 litres/100 km. It has a lot of weight to lug around, and a huge frontal area. The V6 diesel model will improve on this figure by about 25 per cent.

I tried the diesel model briefly, and this model is impressive too in its refinement, but it was the TSi-6 version that left such a marked impression as its engine suits the new attitude of the car perfectly. Both TD6 and TSi-6 models transmit power through a superbly smooth ZF-designed eight-speed gearbox. And of course, all Discovery versions have permanent four-wheel-drive.

This new Discovery marks a whole new direction for Land Rover, with its mid-size model. This is an off-roader that addresses all sorts of inner-city needs, such as ease of parking and easy load ability of people and shopping bags, yet it is still capable of taking on the most rugged of terrains that Africa has to offer.

As far as the on-road refinement is concerned, credit is  due to the all-new monocoque  (one-piece body-and-chassis) construction of the Discovery, with an overall material content of 85 per cent aluminium. High-strength steel is used in critical areas such as the A and C pillars, and steel sub-frames locate the suspension and certain drive-train systems. But the floor pan is all aluminium too. The degree of isolation from mechanical vibration that the body shell manages is a huge step forward, while rigidity on bad roads remains impressive.

Off the beaten track

This new design, cloaked though it is in city-slicker sheet metal, retains its undoubted prowess  in serious off-road terrain. For starters, the SE model comes standard with air suspension, and when you dial in one of the off-road programmes on the console using a simple switch, the ride-height rises automatically. And low-range with diff lock is also standard.

But there are optional devices for those who plan to tackle serious bush country on their weekends away.  Most impressive here was using the new off-road programme, ATPC, which enables the driver to tackle extreme rock ledges, river crossings and the like without using throttle or brakes. You simply dial in an ideal speed of between 2 km/h and 30 km/h, on the dashboard and sit back to let the engine, braking system and transmission adapt the right levels of torque and retardation for the conditions.

For serious off-roading we would recommend sticking to the standard 19-inch wheels with 60-series higher profile rubber, but there are also 20-inch and 21-inch wheel options for those who value image above practicality.

Choc-A-Bloc with Tech

The new Discovery is crammed full of hi-tech, via the touch screen display and various controls on the dash and also through cell-phone app compatibility. A rear camera is standard, but particularly useful is a 360 degree parking visual aid, optional at R5 400. Park assist (you ease the vehicle into its slot without turning the steering wheel)  is also available, which is handy for a such a large, seven-seater vehicle.

Innovations abound, such as a special trailer-hitching process (optional) that enables you to guide the vehicle to the tow-pivot point perfectly on your own, with no assistance. Regarding normal loading, the two rear rows of seats can be raised and lowered from the rear of the vehicle, from the front, or via or your smart-phone! Oh, and there is a handy fold-down shelf that extends once the boot is open, rigid enough to load in heavy items, or to sit on, gazing out at the sunset.

A real seven-seater 

Many so-called seven-seaters offer nominal space and comfort for the third row of seats. But on the Disco, that third row provides reasonable comfort for a person measuring 1,8 metres in height!  Part of the secret here is that traditional Discovery stepped roof, which provides good head room at the rear of the vehicle. Luggage capacity is huge, being over 1 200 litres with the third row of seats folded.

Would i buy one?

Two things raise question marks: The looks are going to take some getting used-to, especially towards the rear where the styling is heavy-handed (although I love the shape of the tail lights) . And these new Discos are certainly  not cheap. Prices start at R980 000 for the base model, but the TSi6 SE version I drove costs R1 126 750, and had over R200 000 of extras added.

To answer the question: If I was a rich man, and I needed serious off-road ability in a genuine highway cruiser, that would have to be a “yes”.