| Discovery 4: refinement for Land Rover’s class-beater
By Moses Akaigwe [igwemos@sunnewsonline]
Friday, November 6, 2009
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| •Photo:Sun
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The over 100 awards the Discovery 3 won in past few years in different countries were a great tribute to the iconic reputation of Land Rover as the master of the 4WD and SUV technology. Naturally, before the unveiling of the successor model, the expectation across the world was that the new, fourth generation of the supremely versatile seven-seat vehicle would be imbued with what it takes to continue with the tradition of being the flagship of its class.
The explains the palpable curiosity and enthusiasm with which a section of Africa’s auto press welcomed the Discovery 4 when it was unveiled to them recently in South Africa by Land Rover Sub-Sahara. But it did not take long for everyone to see that the new vehicle has gathered even more endowments to follow the course of success charted by its predecessor and also earn more accolades for class-leading and innovative engineering achievements.
Even at the risk of sounding immodest, the Regional Business Manager, Mr Nigel Clarke, described the vehicle as “incredible” and a vital part of “Land Rover’s new story”. The cutting edge user-friendly technologies went a long way to confirm this statement when the vehicle was later put to test by the journalists.
Example: The new available remote entry key emits the signal required for passive entry into the vehicle, by the holder of the key simply touching the door handle, without using ‘unlock’ button on the key fob. The new key generates the signal required for the Push Button start of the vehicle. Sophisticated sensors recognise the presence of the key in the vehicle, confirm security credentials and then accept the ‘start’ command via the new fascia mounted start/stop push button.
Moreover, no less than five digital cameras make up the new surround camera system, relaying to the touch-screen a near 360-degree view. The cameras function immediately the vehicle is started, and can be used at speeds up to 11mph, and can be quite useful when reversing or parking.
Vastly improved engines.
Thumbs up for Land Rover for Discovery 4’s two highly efficient and refined new engines: LR-TDV6 3.0 twin turbo diesel and LR-V8 direct injection, 5.0 petrol engine.
The LR-TDV6 3.0 delivers nine percent fuel economy improvement and almost 10 percent less CO2 emissions, at the same time as increasing power by 29 percent, all compared with the existing (Discovery 3’s) 2.7-litre engine.
The 5.0-litre LR-V8 petrol engine is all-new and was designed by the Jaguar Land Rover powertrain team using an impressive collection of state-of-the-art technologies. On the EU combined cycle fuel economy is improved by seven percent, now delivering over 20mpg (13.9 l/100km) and CO2 emissions are also reduced by seven percent down to 328g/km.
Enhanced braking performance
A new, larger brake system has been introduced along with the new engines, to cater for the Discovery 4’s enhanced performance and to improve braking feel.
A refinement to the understeer control system helps automatically slow the vehicle if taking a bend too fast, enhancing driver control.
The system operates according to steering inputs from the driver. In extreme cases, automatic braking intervenes to reduce the vehicle speed, with the braking pressure level applied according to the steering inputs. Automatic braking up to ‘emergency stop’ may be applied, if the inputs demand.
Award-winning Terrain Response/ and Hill Descent Control
To many an auto journalist at the presentation of Discovery 4 in Capetown, Land Rover’s award-winning Terrain Response system is the technology that makes the Discovery tick. And for Discovery 4, the system has gained new features and refinements, further extending the vehicle’s all-terrain capability. Terrain Response optimises the vehicle set-up for virtually all on-road or off-road driving situations, with five different settings to suit different terrains: General driving; grass/gravel/snow; sand; mud and ruts; as well as rock crawl. Again, this was put to test by the journalists who drove vehicle through very challenging terrains in South Africa last week.
For soft sand – one of the most power-hungry surfaces – ‘sand launch control’ has now been introduced, which makes for noticeably easier drive-away. New, speed-dependent wheel-slip targets for the traction control system permit only very limited wheel-slip, helping to prevent the wheels digging down into the sand.
When picking a drive route through boulders, severe articulations can lead to the vehicle rolling excessively in an undesirable direction, calling for simultaneous brake and accelerator engagement. New for Discovery 4, revisions to the rock crawl programme apply low level brake pressure when the vehicle is in first or reverse gear at speeds below 3 mph (5km/h). This low-level brake force reduces the vehicle’s roll tendency and the intervention of the traction control system, giving a more composed drive through rocky terrain.
Land Rover’s much-acclaimed Hill Descent Control system is enhanced on Discovery 4 with the addition of Gradient Release Control. This inhibits the initial rate of acceleration when descending very steep inclines, to increase control and eliminate the potentially alarming lurch which can occur when braking is released at extreme angles. Once the vehicle’s target off-road speed is achieved, Hill Descent Control operates to take vehicle to the bottom of the slope in its customary composed manner.
Design.
Nobody was surprised to see that Discovery 4 retains the clean lines of the previous generation, even though it has now been subtly updated and given a more premium, more contemporary look.
Smoother, simpler surfaces are employed at the front, giving the vehicle its new character, emphasised by sportier looking front lights, with new LED position lamps configured in a unique, signature stepped profile around the main light units. New lights are also introduced at the rear of the vehicle, incorporating LED stop, tail and indicator technology.
The new front bumper has a larger cooling aperture to accommodate the new engine’s greater power outputs. Cleverly, the larger bumper actually improves vehicle aerodynamics by reducing drag, thanks to its innovative anti-drag ‘lips’ that help smooth the airflow from the front bumper around the front wheels.
A new, twin seven-spoke 19” wheel design is introduced on the Discovery 4 to complement the existing 7-spoke 19” wheel and, for the first time, a new striking, 10-spoke 20” wheel is available as a factory-fit option. The need to draw attention to this ‘first’ was not lost on Clarke and his technical colleague, Roly Beattie, who is an auto design specialist.
Interior.
The new interior for Discovery 4 combines smooth, flowing surfaces with significant reduction in the complexity and number of controls. It provides a much softer, more premium all-round interior ambience, but still in keeping with the signature Discovery architectural theme.
The new console is now inclined towards the driver, improving visibility and access to the controls. This helped this writer tremendously when faced with challenges of handling a right-hand vehicle (instead of the left Nigerians are used to) and manipulating the instruments with the left hand. The console looks more akin to that in the Range Rover Sport than the outgoing Discovery 3.
All models feature a new steering wheel, with revised switch layout for driver information, remote audio controls, cruise control and heated steering wheel.
The new Portable Audio Interface allows connectivity to an array of personal audio storage devices, USB sticks and MP3 players, enabling the various devices’ functions to be accessed and controlled via the facia-mounted touch-screen system. One of the connectivity ports is a dedicated Apple i-Pod point made exclusively by Land Rover, for continued functionality in extreme driving conditions, by helping to prevent the device coming loose from the socket.
A new 5-inch Thin Film Tranistor (TFT) driver information screen is also introduced with Discovery 4. Sitting within the re-designed instrument cluster, the message centre display ensures key information is communicated in a clean, simple and user-friendly manner.
And a purer, crisper radio sound is now available thanks to the introduction of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) in most European and Asian markets, and HD radio in the US. Along with the fine listening experience, comes additional features such as news headlines, song title and artist information.
There is no doubt that this is by far a better, more refined, and more endowed vehicle (considering the level of driver-friendly innovative technologies) than the predecessor and its peers. The coming of Discovery 4 is bound to give the likes of Mercedes-Benz M-Class, BMW X5, and to an extent, Mitsubishi Pajero, a cause for concern. The South Afirica-based Land Rover Sub-Sahara Africa is targeting a modest sales figure of 3500 to 4,000 units for 2010.
Good news for potential owners, according to Clarke is the assurance of solid after-sales support, including warranty. “We have a very strong support from Land Rover UK”. Clarke announced with glee, even as he commended the dealership in Nigeria, Coscharis Motors, for working hard and living up to the brand’s global standards
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