Land Rover Discovery 2021: prices and restyling options in Russia

Everything that happened in previous Land Rover Discovery models has been transferred to the new version of the Discovery SUV. This is good, because classics are in fashion. The presence of a new cruise control with automatic Terrain Response 2 mode, which adjusts the suspension, makes the new Discovery attractive in the eyes of a conservative buyer. Land Rover seems to be taking huge steps back, afraid to modernize its car. Representatives of the Land Rover automobile concern call their cars premium. They don't seem to be familiar with real premium cars.

Rears of Land Rover Discovery 5

The design of the new Land Rover Discovery Sport is almost flawless, except for the rear of the car, which is simply disfigured. This is the “merit” of Gerry McGovern, who is the chief designer. Perhaps McGovern’s thoughts stopped at this point, or he concentrated on drawing the Land Rover Velar, which clearly turned out better and more harmonious than Discovery 5. Thus, the car turned out to have a very controversial rear. However, sales at the start of the campaign in Russia were successful, more than 300 people became owners of this car model - they bought a new Discovery.

The Land Rover Discovery 5 will accommodate girls comfortably. But not men whose height exceeds 190 centimeters. Unfortunately, in a new car model it will be difficult for such a person to experience driving comfort. Although this was not the case in the previous version of the Land Rover Discovery model. All the innovations that allow tall people to be “accommodated” in each row of the car turn out to be an exaggerated fact.

Land Rover Discovery 5 (2017): review and test drive

For the British, Discovery is an iconic car. Totem. Symbol. Sole of company. For a long time it remained the only brother of the Defender and was distinguished by its advanced design and high comfort. But if the venerable Defender lasted until retirement practically unchanged, then Discovery went through four generations during its shorter production life. And now the fifth is taking over combat duty.

The new “disco” has become 20% lighter than its predecessor - in some trim levels the difference reaches half a ton! The body is now made mostly of winged metal - the flagship Range Rover is taken as a reference. Only the suspension subframes and side doors are made of steel. The tailgate is made of composite materials, and the radiator frame is made of magnesium. Moreover, the production uses recycled aluminum of its own grade - half of the sheet material for the body is made from it. There is direct economic interest in this, since recycling requires 95% less energy than producing primary aluminum.

The new Discovery isn't muscular on the outside. With its rounded, streamlined shape, it resembles an overgrown Discovery Sport. But there is no complete separation from the roots: a faintly noticeable step on the roof remains, and the asymmetrical tailgate is preserved. These elements for "disco" are a tradition, like the annual regatta between Oxford and Cambridge.

In terms of quality of finish and level of equipment, Discovery is not much inferior to its more prestigious and expensive relatives. The steering wheel is thin, without tides in the grip areas, but this is not annoying at all. The climate control “rings” regulate the temperature, and if you press the circle, it will take over control of the heating and ventilation of the seats.

The seven-seater cabin has also become a good tradition. But if earlier the British talked about this in a low voice, now they bring it to the fore. Thanks to the increased wheelbase, the car has become truly spacious. The third row is now full - there is enough space even for tall people (it’s just inconvenient to climb into the gallery - the passage is too narrow). The second row is completely royal. Damn me, but I feel no worse here than in the flagship Range Rover! As expected, you can change the angle of the split back. There is also longitudinal adjustment within 160 mm.

But not by space alone. The British are proud to introduce an innovative system for folding the five rear seats. It allows you to control the transformation not only with the usual keys in the trunk, but also using the touch screen. There is an even more advanced way - using a smartphone (you must first install the appropriate application). The folding process takes 14 seconds. I started playing around, shuffling the seats this way and that, and at the same time counting the configuration options. In the second ten I lost my way.

Each seat is equipped with a weight sensor, and if it is occupied, the folding process is blocked, says a Land Rover representative. — By the way, have you noticed that when you recline the second-row seat, the front seat automatically moves forward and then returns to its place on its own?

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[su_cu[su_custom_gallery source="taxonomy: post_tag/1009,991,973" limit="3" link="post" target="blank" width="190" height="190" title="always"]p>[su_divider to[su_divider top=»no» style=»double» divider_color=»#238516" size=»6" margin=»5"]etil! But I almost didn’t listen, because I was enthusiastically studying the drawers and niches in the cabin - I counted twenty (their declared total volume is 45 liters). The last thing I found was a secret compartment hidden behind the folding climate control panel - this is a new thing for English cars. But what struck me most was the box to the right of the automatic selector. It easily fits four 9.7‑ inch iPad! Truly minivan functionality.

Having counted for a week ahead, I’m getting used to driving. By the way, it was shared by Range Rover. The finishing materials are similar to Range Rover ones: finely crafted leather, suede, textured wooden overlays. Everything is expensive and rich. The seats impress with their excellent balance of hardness and softness, good profile and wide range of adjustments. You spend the day in the saddle without a hint of fatigue.

The InControl Touch Pro infotainment system with a ten-inch screen has ample capabilities, but I was disappointed by the instability of its operation: it froze a couple of times. I will also criticize the inconveniently located door handles - you have to bend your palm unnaturally.

Interesting equipment includes an instrument projector on the windshield and a Wi-Fi router capable of connecting up to eight gadgets to the Internet. It is logical that the British took some measures so that the “disco” could not catch up with the flagship. It does not have door closers and a virtual instrument panel. For me, not a big loss.

The suspension of the new “disco”, with minimal changes, was also borrowed from a relative called Range Rover: double wishbones at the front and a multi-link at the rear. True, unlike the flagship, Discovery’s simple chassis does not have pneumatic elements. But this is not our case! At my disposal are cars packed to the brim, all equipped with pneumatics.

The ride quality is excellent. For a suspension, rarely found holes are like pellets to an elephant. Not a trace remains of the former heaviness of the tread: “disco” cuts through the endless expanses of Utah with the swiftness of the Comanches who formerly inhabited this territory. Local roads are mostly straight, with rare gentle turns, which the Discovery takes with minimal deflection of the electrically assisted and quite informative steering wheel. And the sound insulation is excellent: you can talk to third-row passengers without raising your voice.

The full-size spare tire is mounted at an angle, which made it possible to increase the departure angle to 30 degrees. There was no need to sacrifice trunk space.

The claimed 8.1 seconds to hundreds for the diesel version are questionable. Discovery responds to pressing the accelerator with a one and a half second delay - the eight-speed automatic transmission is not very quick. Switching to sport mode does not completely solve the problem. But it's economical. Although at first I was taken aback by the trip computer readings: 25! I didn’t immediately realize that this was an American format showing how many miles you can get per gallon. A couple of clicks of a button on the steering wheel, and everything fell into place: 9.5 l/100 km. But this is on the highway, and trips around the city and off-road raise the average consumption by a quarter.

In general, you will suffer with these miles. I see the Speed ​​Limit 65 sign. I brake. I remember that it is in miles and press on the gas again. Switched to cruise control. Taking an example from local rednecks driving shabby pickup trucks (what the hell are Teslas, this is not polished California for you!), I added ten to the “speed limit” - the cops turn a blind eye to this. But further acceleration is fraught: for exceeding the limit by 15 miles per hour in a provincial town, a colleague was fined $240, which, for a minute, is 14 thousand rubles.

There are also pleasant liberties. For example, it is allowed to turn right on a red traffic light if this maneuver does not interfere with anyone. Convenient: you save time, traffic is unloaded. I don’t understand why talk about introducing such a rule is met with hostility in our country. I'm not even talking about reversing through a double solid line. Why not turn around if the road is empty? In general, there is something to learn.

The new “disco” grips the road more confidently than before. Tenacious, stable, unambiguous.

It was not possible to test the emergency braking system with pedestrian recognition function. But I tried the adaptive cruise control and lane keeping system. And I was dissatisfied, because they do not work very correctly: the first reacts to changes in distance, not to say promptly, and the second allows you to leave the occupied row by a good meter. What if the same “pilot” is coming towards you? In short, the British have not reached the level of modern BMWs and Mercedes. I hope they finish the software.

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[su_custom_gallery source=[su_custom_gallery source=”taxonomy: post_tag/901,940,1000" limit=”3" link=”post” target=”blank” width=”190" height=”190" title=”always”]no” style=»dou[su_divider top=»no» style=»double» divider_color=»#238516" size=»6" margin=»5"]It would be nice to give a voice to the V6 petrol engine with a supercharger drive, which doesn't sound very good convincingly. But in general, I really liked this 340-horsepower version with its vigorous acceleration. And this “disco” handles more interestingly than a diesel one: in turns it responds faster to the gas after the apex. You can confidently maintain a high pace. Only the brakes are a bit tight, they grab at the last moment. There were no such problems with the diesel car.

The petrol modification has one more trump card: by default it is equipped with air suspension and an advanced transmission with a range-shifter. It's time to go off-road!

Turned around. And once again I was convinced that the people who create Land Rover cars are real geeks in everything related to cross-country ability. Despite the general trend towards simplifying SUVs, all-terrain properties are still at the forefront for the British. Therefore, with a more frivolous appearance, the cross-country ability of the new “disco” is higher than the previous one. The depth of fording has increased from 700 to 900 mm. The ground clearance in the upper position of the air suspension is increased to 283 mm. Moreover, in an extreme situation, it can reach a record 358 mm (in this case, however, the suspension travel becomes zero). The declared suspension travel is 500 mm. Half a meter! Classmates are far from this.

It's hard to decide to go down such a mountain, but Discovery went down it without any problems.

The winding dirt road led to a small area where difficult obstacles awaited me. I rest my bumper against an almost vertical wall about two meters high. I switch the Terrain Response system to “rocks” mode, engage the off-road cruise control, engage the low range of the transmission and raise the suspension to the highest possible position. I see an inviting wave of the hand. Guys, did you mix up anything? It’s impossible to even climb here on foot! But the instructor continues to wave. Well, if you're so sure...

I released the brake, and the car, groaning with the transmission and automatically locking the central and rear differentials, crawled up. A couple of moments later, Discovery was trampling its wheels onto the top of a seemingly impregnable hill.

The next instructor invites you to diagonal hanging. You have to swing the car over huge rocks, stop and evaluate the rigidity of the body by opening and closing the doors. Everything went without any hiccups.

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[su_custom_gallery source=»taxonomy: post_tag[su_custom_gallery source=»taxonomy: post_tag/993,1009,950" limit=»3" link=»post» target=»blank» width=»190" height=»190" title= "always"] divider_color=[su_divider top="no" style="double" divider_color="#238516" size="6" margin="5"]before driving on them, we bleed the tire pressure to 1.8 atmospheres . The basic rules for driving on such dunes, if anyone doesn’t know, are simple. Under no circumstances should you stop on the rise - only at the exit. And you should not move diagonally, but straight up the hill. It is important not to slow down the gas - the wheels should always spin with noticeable slipping.To do this, the Terrain Response system should be switched to “sand” mode.

The dunes, adorably orange in color, were conquered by Discovery with commendable humility. He climbed such steep slopes that the local bigfoot jeepers watching my actions nodded their heads with satisfaction.

Yes, I'm impressed too. Discovery's cross-country ability is excessive for the average motorist. I am sure that most future buyers will not use even half of the all-terrain potential. But they will enjoy the precise driving performance and spacious, functional interior to the fullest. For the sake of such bonuses, you can forget about the “square” appearance - although not everyone is ready for this.

Size matters

People can fit in small car models (KIA Picanto), but the location can hardly be called comfortable. The new Land Rover Discovery features a low roof that puts pressure everywhere. The size of the Land Rover Discovery 5 is no different from the size of the Land Rover Discovery 4. The trunk has become smaller in size. Measured! The size of the car is depressing and interferes with its comfortable handling.

There are plenty of power outlets and USB in the cabin of the new Discovery 5. In the presented model, everything is designed for energy dependence. You can literally charge your gadget in every corner of the car. Unfortunately, these trends negatively affect the attitude of designers towards the car. It seems that the developers of Land Rover Discovery 5 made the car to recharge electronic devices.

Technical characteristics of Land Rover Discovery 5

The fifth generation of the famous British SUV, which debuted in 2021, is as close to ideal as possible. Having decided that the ability to overcome difficult obstacles in deep off-road conditions can be “relegated” to the background, in the updated series they placed the maximum emphasis on comfort and controllability. The demand for the new product showed that this decision was correct. The car is perfect for everyday use in the city and for family trips to nature, harmoniously combining comfort with high driving performance. Below we will look at a brief overview of the characteristics of the Land Rover Discovery, including dimensions and available configurations.

Multimedia? Nope!

Land Rover has SUV DNA. It's bad because glitches persist throughout the entire historical path of cars. Let's start with the simplest thing - convenience. The carmakers' decision to choose a rectangular shape for the huge multimedia screen is surprising. The cinema version of 16:9 could be used in the new Land Rover Discovery if they can’t come up with something original. Multimedia developers didn't use on-screen navigation. The developers would be horrified by it and urgently correct the errors that are present in the Land Rover Discovery 5 navigation system.

So that the reader can imagine the reason for the dissatisfaction, let us remind you of the location of smartphones before setting up Yandex.Navigator. Vertical. The position of the navigator allows you to see all the turns that are expected. This is not possible in the new Land Rover Discovery 5. Launching Land Rover Discovery's 3D navigation does not change the picture of what is happening. Let us keep silent about the situation with the constant freezing of the navigator and the difficulties that arise with entering information. The virtual keys of the Discovery SUV simply do not work. Linguists should not buy this car either. The number of translation errors into Russian is off the charts. Although in the previous version of Discovery there were much more of them.

To create a high-quality analog instrument panel, the designers of the Discovery 5 Land Rover 2021 must look at the features of the Audi Q7. There, the instrument dials change in scale, giving space to the crossover navigation. The navigation system is based on Google maps, for reasonable money for a premium car. This is real class and an example to follow

Land Rover Discovery Dimensions

Land Rover Discovery is a large SUV. Its overall dimensions are: length 4970 mm, width 2000 mm, height 1846 mm, wheelbase 2923 mm, and ground clearance with conventional spring suspension is 220 mm. If you pay for air suspension, the maximum ground clearance will be 283 millimeters. Thanks to this ground clearance and the Terrain Response system, the car is positioned as an SUV, not a crossover.

Land Rover Discovery can be equipped with a third row of seats, in which case the trunk volume will be 258 liters, but if you do not plan to take more than 5 people on board, the backrests can be folded. In this case, up to 1135 liters are released. This is already a pretty solid indicator; the car will be practical both in everyday life and on long trips with an abundance of luggage. The second row of seats can also be folded down to create 2,406 liters of space. In this position, the SUV can compete with small commercial vans.

Image or technical characteristics?

First Edition - the best configuration of Land Rover Discovery 5 comes with 21 wheels. If you have chosen this particular car model, do not take it with this wheel size. Otherwise, you will ruin your taste sensations forever. Your smooth ride will completely disappear. Your ship sailing along highways will be filled with vibration and noise. Tell me honestly, is this beauty, represented by black wheels, worth the comfort?

A depressing impression remains from the three-liter engine found in the Land Rover Discovery, which has a power of 340 horsepower. Alas, there is no feeling that the Land Rover Discovery 5's power is aimed at driving fast. Yes, Land Rover Discovery 5 accelerates to hundreds in 7.1 seconds. But the previous Discovery 4 model accelerated better. And it brought more pleasant sensations. Well, fuel consumption. You will have to fork out a significant amount, since Discovery 5 “eats” up to 17 liters per 100 kilometers. Without taking into account the large transport tax that must be paid on the car. Overall, owning a Land Rover Discovery 5 is an expensive proposition. For a large family, an overhead SUV option

To sum it up, we have to say that the car is disappointing. Despite the initial charm of everything new, when you drive this car for the first time, skepticism begins. The British managed to screw up the design and interior of the Land Rover Discovery 5 so much that it’s scary to look under the hood of the SUV. However, as well as under the bottom of the “new word” in the production of SUVs. Which will also cause a mixed reaction regarding the new Land Rover Discovery.

Jeeper, don't cry: test drive of the new Land Rover Discovery 5 Si6

About traditions

To be honest, I also like the angular silhouette of the old Discos more than the modern one, even if it is three times current and aerodynamically adjusted.
Vertical dominants, an “aquarium” at the back... It was stylish. Although it probably didn’t make sense to continue playing the old melody from 1989. For the fans, so that they don’t miss their former greatness too much, we have prepared several Easter eggs. For example, the massive rear pillar tilted forward - even the very first Diskar had a similar one. A step on the roof that gives more space for luggage and a “gallery” is from the same opera. But the drawing on the back door, similar to the spare tire bracket, is pure props, the wheel is suspended on the bottom.

How is it different from Range Rover?

The very Utah rocks among which we tested Discovery acquired their characteristic red hue thanks to iron oxides. Our hero will not be able to become like them even if he wants to - he is 85% aluminum, and, corroding over the years, will not turn red, but mostly crumble into white powder.

But let's not talk about sad things. Moreover, there is still steel in the structure - the subframes are made of it. Power elements such as the B pillar are made of high-strength aluminum, and the radiator frame is made of magnesium alloy.

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What is all this diversity for? Well, obviously - for the sake of reducing weight without losing structural rigidity. The weight of the car compared to the previous generation Discovery, all other things being equal, was reduced by 480 kilograms. Doesn't remind you of anything? Yes, exactly the same thing, with almost the same numbers, was said about the new Range Rover in 2012.

Discovery, in its fifth generation, has not only come close to the characteristics of a flagship - it is, from a technical point of view, a Range Rover. Only cheaper, and tailored not for status, but for family use.

Let's take another look at the numbers. The wheelbase in the catalogs differs by a millimeter in favor of the Disco - 2,923 mm, and most likely this is just an error. The Range is longer due to the rear overhang, but only slightly – it has 4,999 mm versus 4,970 for the Discovery. The suspensions are identical - double wishbones at the front, multi-link design at the rear, springs can be replaced with pneumatic elements.

So what are the differences? They come down to the philosophy of the interior layout (for Disco, practicality is at the forefront, for Range, chic and luxury), a set of options and the engine range. The younger model has in-line fours for the initial versions, and the older one has a V8. General, respectively, “average” V6 - diesel with 249 horsepower and gasoline with 340.

The most important thing about the salon

One of the main features of the Discovery 5 is that it is a full seven-seater. It would seem, is it really possible to surprise someone with this today? Can! If you put two adults in the third row and make sure that there is enough space for them there.

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I won’t say that you can sit like a king - the third row cushions are still quite short, there are no armrests or entertainment system screens as such... But there is the main thing - headroom and legroom. And if you still have difficulties with your legs, then you can move the second row sofa - it moves back and forth within 16 centimeters.

In general, definitely: Discovery is the first “honest” seven-seater SUV in my experience. In this regard, it beats even the larger Chevrolet Tahoe.

It also has all power rear seats. You can again skeptically note: “this is unprecedented,” but the idea of ​​​​an easy and relaxed transformation of the interior in Land Rover was taken to the absolute. Instead of running around the car and pressing different buttons, Disco can simply give the command: fold all the seats. And he will.

This process is much more complicated than it seems. To lay the backrest horizontally, you also need to fold the headrests and move the chair in front. At Disco, this all happens automatically, and if there is an obstacle in the way of the backrests (for example, a forgotten bag or a curious child), the process stops.

In practice, however, we suffered damage to the luggage net, which the folding backrests of the third row “did not see” and were torn out of the carabiner. The carbine was quickly repaired, but the residue remained. The system is good, but there is room for improvement.

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Less important things about the salon

There should have been some discussion here about how we would like more attention to detail in a premium car. So that the lids of the drawers do not swell so ignoble, so that the upper glove compartment opens easily, and the compartment behind the climate control panel (obviously taken from Chevrolet and Cadillac) does not jam...

In short, I wanted to grumble. But exactly until it became clear that our test cars were pre-production, and the interior elements were not ideally fitted. So all that remains is to complain about the presence in the range of finishing materials of glossy plastic, which on almost “zero” cars is already covered in scratches.

Overall the salon is very good. The leather is soft, and there is a lot of it - almost everywhere where the trim comes into contact with a person. The upper pad on the dashboard is synthetic, but soft and pleasant to the touch. The “yacht” architecture is the same as on the Range Rover, and the seats are no worse. Strong adjustable lateral support, lumbar support - for complete happiness, the only thing missing is the adjustable length of the pillow, which is still short and dictates a collected, rather than relaxed, driving position. For an SUV, in general, it’s forgivable.

Ford depth

900 mm

The screen of the head unit, thank God, is modern - 10-inch, with decent performance and good graphics. Like the Range Rover, there is a Dual View function that allows you to display a different picture for the driver and front passenger. Full integration with smartphones on iOS and Android, decent maps... Perhaps, if it had been a long test, some bugs, ill-conceived moments and other shortcomings would still have been found, but the one-day tests left the most positive impressions.

Dynamics

The compressor petrol V6 with 340 horsepower on the Si6 version is far from new. The old Disco had it, it’s on the Range Rover, and on a bunch of Jaguar models... The suspension and transmission, as I already said, are also very familiar from the Range. There was no intrigue, which in no way detracts from the Discovery 5’s success as a road cruiser.

Land Rover Discovery 5 Si6 Claimed fuel consumption per 100 km

When accelerating, the “six” sounds muffled, but still sounds quite satisfying after 2,000 rpm; this is important for a premium car. At low speeds of a thousand to one and a half thousand it is not audible at all, and most importantly, the minimum noise comes from the wheel arches! Aerodynamic noise is present, but becomes obvious around 100 km/h. Overall the car is really very quiet.

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What about handling? Everything is very good. Yes, five meters long and a long wheelbase. But due to the complex suspension, all-wheel drive (which is useful not only on sand and mud) and dosing traction on the wheels due to braking, the Disco can be driven into sharp turns with pleasure. The steering wheel at speeds around 40-50 km/h is still empty and too big for quick “unscrewing”, but you can get used to it. On asphalt, the car is practically unlimited in its off-road capabilities.

If there had been any longing for the frame structure until that moment, then it completely evaporated on the stiletto heels of Zion National Park.

Land Rover Discovery 5 Si6

Brief technical specifications

Dimensions, mm (L / W / H): 4,970 / 2,220 / 1,888 Wheelbase, mm: 2,923 Engine: 3.0 liters, 340 hp. With. Maximum speed, km/h: 215 Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, s: 7.1 Drive: permanent all-wheel drive

What about offroad?!

Read on to find out how the Discovery 5 behaves during quick traverses on dirt roads, whether it shakes a lot when combed, whether it’s easy to get stuck in deep sandy ruts, whether it can overcome an almost 45-degree climb up a rock, and whether the diesel V6 is good enough - read in the second part of the premiere test drive, which will be released next week.

Body design

The appearance of the model, as already noted, has changed minimally. There are new diode headlights with brighter stripes of running lights, a tweaked radiator grille with a different mesh structure and slightly revised bumpers. The inserts on the front fenders are no longer contrasting, and the wheel arches feature wheels with new design options.

Photos of Land Rover Discovery 5 2021

Optionally, the new Discovery is equipped with matrix optics with animated turn indicators. Also available is the R-Dynamic package, which gives the car more aggressive bumpers and body elements finished in Gloss Black.

Photo of Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic

“Disco” can do something else? Test drive the new Land Rover Discovery 5

“Well, did you find anything to complain about besides the design?” - the colleague asked half-jokingly. And I thought. We tested the new Dicsovery at a special testing ground, where in a couple of hours we managed to test it in all possible and impossible modes, from a “snake” to a ford almost a meter deep. We galloped over rocks and flights of stairs, climbed 100% inclines, joystick parked with a long trailer, rode between pylons blindly, guided only by all-round video cameras, drove with a 30% side roll, hanging on seat belts... In general , did what most other crossovers couldn't do. And after such an “intensive test drive” I can confidently say: the new Disco is good! But that same design is not for everyone...

Minus 500. While most Belarusians dream of having “500”, Land Rover is getting rid of them - the new aluminum body allowed the fifth generation Discovery to shed almost 500 kg of curb weight. Just imagine for a second: 500 kg! True, for this it was necessary to sacrifice the last “gender characteristic” of the SUV, and now the Disco does not even have a hint of a frame, albeit an integrated one - the body has become load-bearing. It consists of 85% aluminum, with rivets and adhesives, and has a torsional rigidity of about 23,000 Nm/deg - not a record in the class, but a decent indicator.

So is Discovery a crossover now? Not at all: against the backdrop of direct competitors, including the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS, the “fifth” Disco can be considered a brutal off-road conqueror. Because all the parameters related specifically to cross-country ability are very outstanding. The approach angle is 34 degrees, the departure angle is 30, and the ramp angle is 27.5 degrees. The fording depth is 900 mm! The low gear ratio is 2.93 (for comparison: my Pajero II has 1.9). And the ground clearance is almost like that of a Hummer H1 - up to 358 mm! True, such ground clearance is provided only by the optional air suspension, only in the “joker” position, when the suspension arms tilt as far down as possible, resting against the travel limiters. But even without the “joker” there is enough clearance - the pneuma is capable of providing up to 283 mm without loss of rebound travel, and in road mode, at high speed, Discovery can “squat” relative to its normal position. It can also be lowered to facilitate landing or “docking” with a trailer.

The trailer is a whole different story. The “fifth” Discovery can only do its own hooking and unhooking, and all other processes are highly optimized. The car can “aim” its folding tow bar directly at the trailer drawbar. Then, after leaving the car, the owner can use a button in the trunk to lower the rear air suspension so that the tow bar is lower than the drawbar. Having connected, you can immediately check the operation of all the lighting equipment of the trailer, and an assistant is not at all necessary for this - there is a special test mode, when all the devices on the car and the trailer turn on one by one: brake lights, side lights, turn signals. It would seem like a trifle, but any “trailer driver” can tell many stories about how they almost “arrived” because of non-lit brake lights or a burnt-out turn signal bulb.

There are even more stories about how difficult it is to maneuver a trailer in reverse. And although the exam for category “B+E” includes reverse parking, either diagonal or perpendicular, life, poor visibility and a very large trailer sometimes make the “exams” much more difficult. And the new Discovery can help the owner “save face”: there is a whole range of options that make reversing maneuvers easier. Firstly, you can attach an optional reversing camera to the trailer itself, and then you will clearly control its dimensions. Secondly, Discovery 5 has a special “autoparking” mode with a trailer: you use the joystick to set the desired trajectory, looking at the reversing video camera or in the mirrors, and the car itself, using an electric booster, rotates the steering wheel in the desired direction and at the desired angle. For some drivers, this is simply a lifesaver, because not everyone is able to maneuver normally in reverse even in a car, not to mention using a hitch.

True, in order for the Land Rover Discovery to effectively “help”, you need to first prepare it: install a special “sight” on the trailer drawbar, using which the video camera will track the position of the trailer, then select the type of trailer in the “menu” and indicate its dimensions, which will make the work easier auxiliary electronics, and to activate the mode, pull up the Terrain Response system washer and then, by rotating the washer, indicate the desired trajectory to the car.

In general, in a situation with parking a trailer, the electronics of the new Discovery are ready to take on almost everything. What about in other situations? The same story: the second generation of the famous Terrain Response system has become so smarter and more efficient that on off-road terrain, which the owner of the new Discovery allows himself to go on, you don’t even have to touch the “puck” for selecting modes - Terrain Response is trained to recognize types of surfaces and automatically select the most optimal one mode. That is why, as the instructor correctly said, the “puck” can be buried in the panel and never be activated.” For driving on the beach or loose snow, the automatic mode is more than enough, and no one expects more from an expensive high-status crossover. That is why the basic Discovery 5 gets to the buyer in the form of a regular SUV, without a transfer case with a low-range range, with an asymmetrical (42:58) Torsen center differential. Later, these versions will also receive “downsizing” two-liter turbodiesels.

Well, those who value Land Rover precisely for its combination of comfort and cross-country ability will like another Discovery - the one we tested at the JLR brand testing ground in the Moscow region. It has everything “grown up”: low gear, which can be engaged at speeds of up to 60 km/h, and electronically controlled symmetrical all-wheel drive. Moreover, in the second generation, the electronic assistant not only allows you to select one of several fixed modes (dirt, ruts, stones, etc.), but also knows how to effectively start from a standstill, avoiding unnecessary slipping, so as not to “dig in” - in a special Terrain Response mode ensures that there is no slipping during the first wheel rotations.

And this is not the only innovation in the “off-road” direction. In addition to the fact that the electronics are now capable of “learning” (although instructors still recommend manually selecting the most appropriate mode), All-Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) off-road cruise control has also appeared. You can select a speed in the range of 2-30 km/h and no longer touch the gas pedal - the car will maintain it itself. Although, as for me, it’s easier to do it yourself, especially since off-road the speed is constantly changing - somewhere “whispering”, and somewhere you can and should lightly press the pedal. For example, before a 100 percent climb (45 degrees), where the Discovery appears to be scraping against a vertical wall. Interestingly, the strong lowering allows him to do this with equal ease in both forward and reverse.

But if an instructor takes you to the 100% ascent, then you steer into the ford yourself - and when the water reaches the headlights, you become a little uneasy. But there is no reason to worry: Land Rover says that the new Discovery can ford up to 900 mm without consequences, which anyone who finds themselves behind the wheel of a new product can experience. True, it seemed to me that the depth of the calibrated ford was still less than 900 mm, at least you couldn’t tell from the photo.

The steepness of the 30-degree slope, on which Discovery demonstrates incredible stability, is also not entirely noticeable in the photo. In the cabin, meanwhile, passengers begin to complain about cramped neck muscles, and only the sky is visible through the left window. But this is not the limit! The specifications state that Discovery is able to withstand even a 35-degree roll! But here it is more important to know whether the driver and passengers have enough endurance...

Although for me personally, another test became more serious - blind driving, and in this case, without quotes: on this Discovery the windows are completely tinted, like in the Dagestan “Priors”. And the windshield too. And when you start moving in absolute darkness, the vestibular system has a very hard time - it’s good that I managed to try this exercise before lunch!

How can you drive such a Discovery if the windows are tinted “charcoal”? On instruments: all-round cameras allow you to clearly see the arranged pylons and maneuver among them quite confidently. True, if we are to be objective, the picture is imperfect - it is slightly distorted when approaching the pylon and does not make it clear exactly how much space is left between it and the car. But what remains, as it turned out, is about 20-30 cm. However, such accuracy is only needed in this exercise, but in a real situation it is better to really “play it out” and stop earlier.

Unfortunately, the test drive format “quickly and all at once” did not allow us to really get used to it and feel the new Discovery 5, so we’ll tell you about our “like/dislike” feelings after the Belarusian test. Which, by the way, will take place soon - sales of the new Land Rover Discovery 5 begin on May 25, the test car will appear at the dealer very soon. For now, we can briefly go over the parameters that we experienced at the test site. Smooth ride? Unfortunately, traveling up flights of stairs does not provide the full picture, and perfectly smooth asphalt on the site and the highway does not provide answers. But they made it possible to feel how “light” Discovery 5 became in sensations. Even on a “snake” the car drives without uncomfortable (what a play on words!) rolls, and demonstrates very correct, clear reactions. Dynamics? The turbodiesel and 8-speed automatic transmission drive exactly as you would expect, quickly, without hesitations or failures. Sound insulation is also expectedly good, interior trim, ergonomics... Need I say that everything is exactly at the level that customers expect?

So personally, I only have a question regarding the design - I would prefer a more masculine, faceted look. But, as they say, taste and color... Well, everything feels more than good, and when the time comes for test drives, we will try to find the current “fourth” Discovery to feel how far ahead the Land Rover Discovery 5 has gone, what advantages were given by the new aluminum monocoque body.

Pavel KOZLOVSKY

Photo by ABW.BY Minsk - Moscow - Minsk

The editors would like to express their gratitude to the official Land Rover dealer in Belarus for their assistance in organizing the trip

Land Rover Discovery engine and transmission

Land Rover Discovery in the domestic market is equipped with two engines, an eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system. The power units are quite versatile and meet most of the needs of potential buyers. The car will appeal to both lovers of measured and comfortable trips, as well as fans of more dynamic driving.

• The base engine of the Land Rover Discovery is a diesel V-shaped turbocharged six with a volume of 2993 cubic centimeters. Good displacement and a turbocharging system allowed the power unit to develop 249 horsepower at 3750 rpm and 600 Nm of torque at 2250 crankshaft rpm. With such an engine, the SUV accelerates to a speed of one hundred kilometers per hour in 8.1 seconds, and the maximum speed, in turn, will be 209 kilometers per hour. Diesel power units are famous for their good torque at low crankshaft speeds and unsurpassed efficiency. Land Rover Discovery fuel consumption will be 8.6 liters per hundred kilometers at a city pace with frequent acceleration and braking, 6.8 liters during a measured trip on a country road and 7.5 liters of fuel per hundred in the combined driving cycle.
• Land Rover Discovery also has a petrol power unit. This is a V-shaped turbocharged six with a volume of 2995 cubic centimeters. The large displacement and turbocharging system allowed engineers to squeeze out 340 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 450 Nm of torque at 5000 rpm. With such a herd under the hood, the SUV accelerates to a speed of one hundred kilometers per hour in 7.1 seconds, and the maximum speed, in turn, will be 209 kilometers per hour. The engine's appetites are appropriate. Fuel consumption of Land Rover Discovery will be 15.5 liters of gasoline per hundred in city driving with frequent acceleration and braking, 9.2 liters during a measured trip on a country road and 11.5 liters of fuel per hundred in the combined driving cycle.