Disco III Photos are out

[dbwitt]

www.autoexpress.com.uk

There is a great story on the Disco III with images of the car. Not doctured up. This is the chasis that will go on the Defender, I think. Also this I believe will be the new engine choices. We will see.

[Mike Hippert]

Lnik does not work for me.

[dbwitt]

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/?http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/ae_news_story.php?id=45631

I hope that link works.


New Disco Gets Radical


rom the school runs of Surrey to the sands of the Sahara, it's set to be the most talked about 4x4 for a decade. Finally, in an exclusive photoshoot, we can reveal the production version of Land Rover's new Discovery - the latest in the line of a model which has become everything from a hardcore off-roader to the ideal MPV for the image-conscious.

And although the shape of the car ranks as one of the worst-kept secrets in motoring, thanks to the efforts of our spy photographers, Landie still has some surprises in store - including powerful new engines, state-of-the-art technology and controversial styling details.

Free from all the disguise panels at last, the Discovery's boxy new looks are sure to divide opinion. It's longer, wider but lower than the outgoing model, and has massive amounts of interior space. Bold headlamps, unpainted bumpers, wide wheelarches and enormous tail-lights distinguish the newcomer, while the traditional stepped roof and tall rear windows clearly mark the car out as a generation of the Discovery family.

The new model is also the first replacement Land Rover to be produced under the Ford corporate umbrella, and beneath the stylish lines is technology that will be used on all future cars from Britain's most famous 4x4 brand. Unlike the flagship Range Rover, the company has decided to retain a separate frame chassis for the latest Discovery, rather than revert to a car-like unitary body.

But Land Rover says the new "Integrated Body-frame structure" is a massive advance, allowing it to deliver the comfort, refinement and on-road attributes of a monocoque, while maintaining the strength required for heavy-duty off-road performance. On tarmac, the Disco is said to be as refined as a luxury saloon, thanks to fully independent suspension all-round, with sophisticated air springs on all but entry-level versions.

This is height adjustable to aid access to the cabin and increase ground clearance. Insiders who've driven the car say its on-road manners are virtually indistinguishable from the Range Rover's, yet it's even better in the rough stuff.

The BMW-engined big SUV risks being overtaken by its little brother in performance terms, too. With a new engine range borrowed from Jaguar, the Discovery marks the passing of the ancient Rover V8, which has been part of the Land Rover line-up since 1970. Replacing it in the flagship car is a specially developed version of the V8 from Jag's XK, XJ and S-Type. Changes for Land Rover use include increased capacity from 4.2 to 4.4 litres, more low-end torque and better dust and waterproofing.

In Land Rover guise, engine oil supply methods have also been modified to ensure lubrication is maintained when the car

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is at acute angles in extreme off-road use. The result is a 295bhp output - 5bhp less than the Jaguar equivalent, but 13bhp more than a V8 Range Rover.

However, the top-selling engine in Britain, with around 85 per cent of sales, will be the new 2.7-litre twin-turbodiesel, first seen in the Jaguar S-Type at last month's Geneva Motor Show. Developed in conjunction with Peugeot, the advanced common-rail V6 offers 190bhp at 4,000rpm - again, beating the diesel Range Rover, this time by 16bhp.

Of more importance for drivers who regularly go off-road or tow large loads, this engine puts out 440Nm of torque at 1,900rpm - a huge increase from the current Discovery diesel's 298Nm, and 50Nm more than the Range Rover.

If that's not enough, a 4.0-litre V8 diesel is due late in 2005, and is tipped to have around 280bhp and 700Nm! A second petrol engine - a 4.0 V6 from the Ford Explorer - will be sold in the US, but won't be offered in Britain.

There are a pair of new gearboxes, too. The diesel has a six-speed manual as standard, with a six-cog automatic as an option. Petrol models are available only with the auto, but all feature permanent 4WD with high and low-ratio boxes, unlike most 'soft-roader' rivals.

Still, for most buyers the Discovery's innovative and versatile interior will be more important than dynamic abilities. The previous model's Terence Conran-designed, seven-seater cabin attracted family buyers who didn't want an MPV, but needed space for all the family.

The new car will appeal even more, with better access and increased space for rear passengers. Its overall length is stretched by 176mm to 4,835mm, with 345mm added to the wheelbase to improve packaging. At 1,915mm, it's 30mm wider, too, meaning more elbow room.

But the real revolution is the seating system. The two rearmost chairs offer enough room for full-grown adults to sit in comfort, yet fold flat into the floor. The middle row also pivots downwards to give a completely flat load space.

Access to the Discovery's boot is via a new, Range Rover-style split tailgate, although the asymmetric divide is a fresh innovation. The 'dip' in the lower panel is designed to reduce the load height when only the upper part of the tailgate is used, and reduce the 'reach in' distance when both hatches are open.

Up front, the cabin is clearly inspired by the Range Rover, but it's more functional and less luxurious. Plenty of gadgets will be available, though, including touch-screen sat-nav. To pay for the improvements, prices are set to rise. The first cars arrive in UK dealers in November, and will start at about £28,500 for the five-seat, steel-sprung version, rising to £40,000 for the flagship V8 HSE.
Tom Barnard


Comments: 0 Article from: Auto Express

[chrisvonc]

Ooffa.. that is some bad web coding going on there.

[dbwitt]

If you can't click on the link or don't know how please see the prior thread.

[Mike Hippert]

umpalumpa,

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/?http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/a...ry.php?id=45631 works as a link

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/? works as a link

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/a...ry.php?id=45631 works as a link

But none of them take you to the right place, maybe you have to be a registered member of autoexpress?

[dmarchand]

it's set to be the most talked about 4x4 for a decade.

Shenanigans. I think their was more hype for the new Rangie than the LR3.

[wicks]

Glad to see they stuck with the ladder frame, and that it will spank a NRR on the strip.

Wonder how much motion you can get out of the inependent half shafts though. Hmmm.

[Mike Hippert]

Less then 8". Most independent suspensions only have around 3 or 4".

[TDI Guy]

is it like the new rangie setup?

[KeithD]

October's Top Gear magazine in UK has given the Disco III a full outing on the "worst trail" in UK - Garburn pass in the Lake District. Well if the pictures are anything to go by its a stroll in the park compared to stuff we tackle here and the writer is clearly not used to wheelin'. and it has standard road tires too.....But some interesting information I hadnt gathered - seems the terrrain response system not only adjusts the ride height and torque split front and back but also the fuel mapping to increase low end torque and the throttle's sensitivity - for rock crawling you can use the full range of the throttle travel to adjust your speed to a fine degree (nice). On automatics the gear change points are changed too. It does look as if there is manual high and low range settings and manual ride height adjustment too.

From the front it looks little different from the current Disco, the back appears odd and from some angles ugly. Interior is very nice.

writer concludes that even with all this wizardry it may not be as good in extremis as the defender (what does he know) but almost, and certainly easier to handle.

what we need or Defender II is the best of this (the engines and drivetrain and some of the terrain response features) in a more utilitarian, narrower body and a shorter wheelbase with capacity to fit a wide range of rubber. Live axles I think are doomed ....

Land Rover do say in the article that they do take the vehicles on tougher terrain than that featured but only to see how far they can take it before things break....

[Billakris]

Have you guys seen the commercials that tell you to go to findyourAQ.com Kinda interesting, but i guess landrover thinks everyone deeply desires going on "safaris" After you do the quiz it has some video clip things of the LR3 "in action"

[KeithD]

infinitely variable locking centre and rear diffs.....whassat? if you can't choose to lock it then it aint a locker.....the more I know about this car the more I know I don't know. still with this and traction control (can we turn that off too please if we want) there's a lot of potential.

Follow-up Post:

looking through the pdf spec sheet there is a lot to like. it does weigh 2.5 tons but its a big machine I guess. I am sure all these gizmos in a defender body and some decent tires (I see the DIII comes with 255/60s) would result in the most capable off roader straight from the factory by a mile. But for how long before the thing breaks down? That electronic hand brake wonder how well that works off road? Not so much of a matter if it's got an auto tranny - no details on manual - but Europe will have them for sure. I'd like it with the V6 diesel too of course.