Over the four distinct generations of the Land Rover Discovery, the quintessential family off-roader has become a revered South African motoring success story. Rugged, reliable, practical, the old Discovery was the go-anywhere vehicle choice for generations of adventurers. BERNIE HELLBERG discovers how the new car hopes to retain its status in the digital age.
Over nearly three decades and four generations, the Land Rover Discovery has become one of the world’s most respected sports utility vehicles. While that term had not yet been invented when the Series I Disco hit showroom floors back in 1989, the idea behind creating an off-roader in this configuration was sound and served Land Rover well over many years.
So well, in fact, that Discovery had undoubtedly become the world’s number one premium SUV nameplate.
But can the new generation of Discovery retain this title in the face of increasingly brilliant competition from other SUV-makers, including sister brand, Range Rover?
NOW & BEYOND
Not to put too fine a point on it, the new Discovery is just that, brand new. Redeveloped from the ground up to be lighter (it has shed some 400 kg in the process), more capable and, crucially, more tech-savvy than any of its predecessors.
The Discovery’s new monocoque chassis is made from a mix of aluminium and sophisticated alloys that were, in some cases, developed specifically for this application, and thanks to a new suspension system, the new Disco is also an entirely different car to drive than before.
Its off-road ability remains class-leading, thanks to a new Terrain Response 2 off-road management system, while towing is now also much easier than before, with Advanced Tow Assist making light work of tricky reversing manoeuvres.
One area where the Discovery has improved in leaps and gigaflops is in terms of interior technology. Disco has well and truly left its analogue history behind, boasting a new infotainment system that controls everything in the vehicle; from selecting and managing entertainment options to configuring the car’s innovative electric folding seats (when fitted), and deploying the tow bar, it’s all gone online.
GO ANYWHERE
It should come as no surprise that the Discovery is a capable off-roader, but it takes levels of refinement and luxury way beyond what we have seen in previous generations of the Discovery. In fact, the lines between Land Rover and luxury sibling Range Rover are set to become increasingly blurred, with the Discovery being the first of many product lines that will up the luxury ante in the medium term.
For our maiden drive experience in the new Discovery, we set off for Big Five territory near Thabazimbi, crossing several hundred kilometres on both tar and gravel surfaces – the air suspension (fitted to all but the entry “S” model) doing an excellent job of smoothing out any imperfections across all surfaces, while maintaining an exceptional balance between on-road handling and off-road attitude.
Our excursion included a jaunt down dongas and other obstacles that would be considered difficult to do on foot, let alone in a high-tech vehicle. Here the advanced terrain response system saved the day more than once, even showing off the car’s ability to tow (up to a braked maximum of 3,500 kg) in 4×4 conditions. Under these circumstances, the Discovery’s 34-degree maximum approach angle (29 degrees in the model with coil suspension) and 30-degree departure angle (27 on the coil-sprung derivative) also help in keeping the car’s bash plates off the ground during off-roading. Maximum ground clearance of 283 mm can be achieved on air-suspension models.
Off-roading has also entered the digital age, and combined with the Discovery’s absolute comfort, makes this car the ideal companion for the modern adventurer. When tackling particularly challenging terrain, All-Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) can be programmed to autonomously maintain a suitable crawl speed chosen by the driver. The intelligent technology allows the driver to concentrate solely on steering the vehicle as they negotiate obstacles, without the distraction of operating the throttle or brake pedals, and can also be used from a standstill to help when pulling away on slippery surfaces.
PRACTICAL LIFE
Ultimately, the Disco should be a useful lifestyle companion, and everything should work smoothly and be operated easily. When fitted, electrically-folding seats allow for easy loading and unloading of goods or people, and when flat will open as much as 2,400 litres of storage space. The electric seats can also be operated from a panel in the rear of the Disco, or from a smartphone app that Discovery owners can download from their favourite app store.
New Discovery has, however, lost the split tailgate that doubles as a utility seat, but Land Rover has installed an automatically deployable tailgate that serves the same purpose, and is certified to carry as much as 300 kg.
For ease of ingress and egress, models fitted with the air suspension system can be raised or lowered down to a mere 400 mm.
ENGINES AND MODELS
Land Rover has simplified the range by launching with two engine options only. There is a supercharged V6 turbo petrol with 250 kW and 450 Nm of torque, and a six-pot turbodiesel with 190 kW and 600 Nm of available grunt. Land Rover employs the tried and tested ZF eight-speed gearboxes across the range
Then it gets a little confusing… The range comprises of S, SE, HSE, and HSE Luxury derivatives, although the entry-level “S” grade is not available in diesel guise. Prices range from R980,000 to R1,457,500 for the 3.0 V6 Supercharged First Edition.
Given a choice, we would opt for the turbodiesel every time. Not only is it quieter and more frugal than before, but it also outclasses the petrol for low rev shunt, both on and off the road.
Options, which include an absolute laundry list of gizmos and goodies, will add as much to the sticker price as your wallet will allow. At launch, it was not uncommon to find samples with upwards of R200,000 worth of options fitted.
LAST WORD
The Discovery used to play in a market segment less perturbed by the whims of the luxury minded but has now firmly entered the premium fray where the likes of its Range Rover sibling, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi reign supreme. With prices now well over the one million mark if you want the most basic of optional extras, Discovery may find itself venturing where it belongs, doing what its brilliant at; going off the beaten track.
