The sound of the doors opening. The shiny "Start/Stop Engine" button. The distinct smell of new leather. The large display. The V6 purring. Nickelback as loud as they can get, in the pristine Harman-Kardon 9 speaker sound system. These were the first impressions of the great big black SUV i had for testing last week. But let's start right at the beginning...
Since the dawn of my passion for 4x4s, Land Rovers have held a special place. That, i surely cannot hide. The love for the brand can hardly be understood, at times. However, i watched the Discovery series from the very first model. Between the rugged Defender and the luxurious Range Rover, the brand came out with the perfect filler. Combining Range-like comfort and Defender-style off road abilities, the line quickly became a success. The latest member, the Discovery 4, may just be the company's best work yet.
The Premium Auto Land Rover Dealership in Bucharest were kind enough to let me have one for a few days and see if it rises up to its predecessor's reputation. Everyone who tested it was really excited and i simply could not resist giving it a go myself. I ended up with the 241 bhp TDV6 3.0 HSE. From the very beginning, it was easily noticeable that things were different. I'd had the Disco 3 for a while some time earlier and really admired the attention given to details concerning the interior. However, there was room for improvement and Rover knew it. With their new model, they hit the jackpot. The doors (with lit handles, which for some reason made me very happy) and dash, the wonderfully positioned touch screen computer, the unbelievably comfortable seats, all make for a delightful driving experience.
I knew that, if i had to write about the car, i'd have to see where it can go and how tired you are when it gets you there. So, like any reasonable off road lover, i searched for the nearest "End of Road" sign. To get there, i had to cross through 100 kilometers of tarmac, during which the V6 felt right at home. In the city, the visibility you have is simply stunning. The maneuverability is unexpected, for a vehicle its size, not to mention the mileage. The Disco is equipped with two turbines, a regular one and a complex one, with variable geometry. With this system, Rover managed to significantly increase the mileage, while also making the vehicle more green.
On the open road, overtaking other vehicles became child's play. While cruising at high speeds, the car was very stable, in part due to it's complex (and improved) suspension system, which lowers the car, for stability and wind resistance. Enlarged disk breaks and calipers meant that the new model would no longer be comfortable with the 16" rims, all of the Discos being equipped with 18" seven double spoke rims.
When we left the tarmac, the truck adapted. I was anxious to see how the "driving modes" did their jobs so i opted for a quarry road with lots of gravel. Incidentally, 15 minutes later, the gravel was accompanied by a heavy downfall. When forced, the impressive 2.7 ton truck would slide sideways as if it was about to skid off. That never actually happened since the gravel mode kicked in, setting the car right back on the road. After having tried several times, i was unsuccessful in getting it to skid sideways more than a few meters. More than functioning impeccably, the modes also make suggestions. When driving in a particular situation, say slow, on a slope, the display could inform you that the low range might be in order, or a similar setting. All these functions make for an excellent and easy driving experience, off the road, for even the most inexperienced drivers. Being used to my Defender's heavy duty bumpers, which allowed for tree impacts and rock sliding, i felt a little reticent at first about steep climbs and descents. However, after raising the suspension, the truck performed above expectations. The attack angle didn't leave for any opportunity to scratch the spoilers or the underbody. More than this, when it felt that the height limits were being met, it'd automatically heighten the vehicle a little more, specifically to overcome most obstacles.
Driving back to the dealership, i tried to think of any specific thing i disliked about it but none came to mind. It ticked all the boxes, and added some more. One thing i was personally happy about was the fact that it looked great dirty. It's a long and very subjective debate about this but, as far as I'm concerned, most SUVs look good all clean and shiny. A dash of mud or a good thick dust cover doesn't quite cut it, like it does on Defenders, older Land Cruisers or Patrols. However, after a proper mud bath, the Discovery with its squareish shape and large headlights, held a distinct elegance which i grew quite fond of. Looking at you from the side of the road, it says "I'll take you anywhere, and get you there in style", in that classic, modest way that only British cars know.
