LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 5
We were the first to test drive this beauty.
When Land Rover launched the Discovery Series I in 1989 it had one unintentional result: What would they call the Land Rover henceforth? Because up until the Discovery’s launch the company had only two vehicles: the Range Rover and the Land Rover – renamed the Defender. The Discovery was a huge success, and as of 1 January this year, 1.2 million of them have been sold. The Discovery II was a development of the I, just like how the Discovery 4 was actually a development of the 3. But the fifth generation is something completely new. At first glance you recognise the design language that Land Rover with the Discovery Sport – which is actually the replacement for the Freelander – started with the new Discovery. The lines are similar, but the Discovery is bigger and more luxurious. To be honest, it’s not that dissimilar to a Range Rover Sport.
Under the surface
But it’s not just a new look. The chassis and mechanics are also new. Where the Discovery 3 and 4’s bodywork was a combination of a monocoque and a ladder-frame chassis called Integrated Body Frame, the new Discovery only has a monocoque chassis. And because this time they used mostly aluminium, the engineers succeeded in creating a vehicle that is a whopping 480 kg lighter than its predecessor. Yes, almost half a ton. And believe me, when you put your foot down you can feel the difference. Sure, the model we tested had a 3.0 TD6 diesel engine that develops 190 kW and 600 Nm, but half a ton is still half a ton. But it’s when you start looking at the new Disco’s technology that you’re really impressed. There is everything you can think of: parking assistance, lane departure warning, four cameras around the vehicle, electric back door, and the ability to switch the vehicle on and adjust seats up and down via your smartphone. Speaking of seats, it’s now a bona fide seven-seat vehicle. You can either adjust the seats via the front touch screen, or your cellphone, or an instrument panel in the boot. It’s also there that you can either fold out or fold away the tow bar.
Behind the wheel
Around corners it was difficult to believe you’re in a vehicle that weighs 2.2 ton. Just like with the Range Rover Sport, the company succeeded in building a four-wheel-drive vehicle with superb tar handling. Yes, the Range Rover is probably better on a tar road, but then the Discovery is slightly better off-road. I looked at the 22-inch tyres on the test vehicle and wondered if it could tackle Hennops 4x4. Because those profiles are low! I was, however, impressed with the Terrain Response 2’s ability to keep the Disco driving calmly over rocks and through a substantial amount of water. In low range you switch on cruise control and then adjust your crawl speed with buttons on the steering wheel. I think those tyres will sustain damage if you encounter really sharp rocks, but bear in mind our test model was the 3.0 TD6 First Edition, of which only a handful was built and which costs almost R1.5 million! With 19-inch tyres you’ll have a choice of decent off-roadoriented tyres and you won’t have to worry that much. If you adjust the Terrain Response 2 for rocky conditions, the suspension starts lifting until you eventually have a whole 283 mm ground clearance – which is bloody high in any language. The wading depth is also 900 mm, about 200 mm more than on most 4x4 bakkies. But this isn’t a bakkie. It’s a hyper-luxurious sports utility
vehicle with a powerful engine that’s linked to a satin-smooth 8-speed automatic gearbox. And if you have to position it in the Land Rover’s production series, you feel like it combines the best of the Range Rover and the Range Rover Sport – but at a lot less.
Conclusion
It almost brings you full circle back to the Land Rover’s naming conundrum for the Defender (when it was still only a Land Rover) after the Discovery was launched. Because now the company has the Discovery Sport, the Discovery, the Range Rover Evoque, the Range Rover Sport, and the Range Rover. All they need now is a worthy successor for the Defender. I know I’ve often criticised the Defender but I think I’m getting old and sentimental, because I miss it. A lot. The new Discovery’s price means that it’s never going to sell as much as, for example, a white VW Polo. But if you’re looking for a hyper-luxe vehicle with which you can occasionally make mince meat of pesky off- road obstacles, then this is one of the best choices currently on the market. Because you’ll have to search far and wide for a vehicle that is as luxurious as this one that also has low range and very adroit off-road abilities. With the right tyres it’ll easily conquer Van Zyl’s Pass. And when you’re done with Van Zyl’s Pass and thinking of heading in the direction of Marienfluss, you can lift the arm rest and take a cold one from the built-in fridge. How’s that for style?