| To many Australians, especially those who
grew up outside the cities, Land Rovers were once practically a part of the landscape. Those original Series One "Landies" seemed indestructible, and
while their look is largely retained by the current `workhorse' Land Rover Defender, the
Discovery looks more like its upmarket cousin Range Rover.
Yet its no-nonsense heritage ensures that Discovery’s interior
trim features sensible touches like dimpled rubber mats on the dashboard and console to
stop things sliding about, plus there are map pockets and storage bins everywhere.
Controls are all well placed, there is a commanding view of the road
ahead, and the fabric covered seats offer good support. There's also a built-in sun blind
in the cargo area to protect valuables from the sun - or prying eyes.
And it has a pleasing lack of beepers etc. Just one discrete chime
if a door is left open, but no annoying blasts or toots when the remote locking is used.
However, the unpadded head restraints and armrests seem odd, and
milady Basia lamented the lack of vanity mirrors (but the sunvisors are huge, blocking
glare along the entire window when turned sideways).
Unchanged is Land Rover’s legacy of sturdy steel chassis and
aluminium body panels, along with constant 4WD with High/Low ratio transfer case and a
diff lock.
But Discovery offers a choice of engines; 3.9 litre all-alloy V8 or
the 2.5 litre turbocharged diesel (driven with a manual gearbox for this review).
I was hoping to be more impressed than with my first experience, an
automatic which was quite sluggish compared to the petrol V8 model if the air conditioner
was working. Turbochargers don't do much until engine rpm rises, and the combination of
air con and auto trans causes some considerable delay in power development.
But the manual gearbox is a different story
Turbo lag is easily overcome with a squeeze of the clutch to get the
revs up, then it moves away smoothly and continues on through the gears (which have a
smooth and easy shift action) to cruising speed.
90kmh has the diesel spinning at a relaxed 2000rpm, with more than
enough torque in reserve to ensure that it can pick up pace if given a deliberate prod. |
It may be common on boulevardes, but Discovery Tdi is also at home in the bush.
The doorpull/armrests are a bit thin and hard, but the driving position is ideal.
Cargo area is easily accessed, and features a built-in sun blind.
The 2.5 litre turbodiesel may look small, but packs hefty grunt all the same.
|
Nuts-N-Bolts 