Way back in June last year (p10-11) we outlined the changes Land Rover has made to the Discovery, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.
The full story is on our website, www.NZ4WD.co.nz. Type Land Rover in the search box on the left, and you’ll see the story listed under the heading ”Land Rover updates RR, Sport, Discovery”. It gives all the fine details.
Land Rover is punting the Discovery in particular as a new model, giving it the name “Discovery 4” but the reality is that it’s largely a minor facelift at the front with some major engine changes, a new interior, and some additional features.
In fact there are new interiors on all the latest LR and RR models, essentially tidying up the controls to make them more user-friendly and more modern and attractive.
All models come with a six speed automatic transmission that allows manual operation.
We drove five of the new models on some really great roads south of Auckland – mainly on tar seal with just a bit of gravel – and despite having only limited time with each we were very impressed.
One feature we like on the top Range Rover Vogue is the dual-mode monitor display. Using clever technology it allows the front seat passenger to watch TV or a DVD on the move, while the driver sees only the satnav map.
I’m not sure I like the “virtual” dials on thin film transistor screens, though. The system does allow the dials and information to change depending on conditions and which features you choose to see, but it’s a bit like looking at a computer game!
The pick of the engines for me has got to be the TDV6 3.0 which features the latest common rail technology to give a huge boost over the previous 2.7 turbo-diesel (which continues in the range) by 29 percent (power) and 38 percent (torque), the latter coming in at 600 Nm, thought to be the highest torque output from a passenger car V6 diesel engine.
At the same time fuel economy is improved over the 2.7.
This motor is found in the Discovery and the Range Rover. We drove the former and found this vehicle to be quite superb, with power to spare, and a smoothness that totally belies its diesel origins. Handling is improved thanks to a revised suspension set-up.
The Discovery also gets a new front end closer to that on the Range Rover, as well as new doors, seats, consoles, instruments, switch gear and steering wheel.
And then we went to the extreme behind the wheel of the Range Rover Sport 5.0 V8 Supercharged.
What a rush – this is so quick it’s just silly!
The 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine replaces the 4.2-litre version with 29 percent more power and 12 percent more torque maxing out at 375kW and 625Nm respectively, yet fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have been reduced by seven percent with the new engine.
At the same time massive Brembo brakes with no fewer than six calipers at the front slow down the beast very effectively. In fact brakes are improved across the whole lineup.
This engine is also available in the Range Rover Vogue.
The magnificent 3.6 TDV8 turbo-diesel continues in the lineup as before, and we were delighted to re-acquaint ourselves with this 200kW/640Nm powerhouse – available in both Range Rover versions.
And finally the normally aspirated petrol 5.0 V8.
Like its supercharged stablemate it’s from the Jaguar stable, and produces a more than sufficient 276kW/510Nm.
It’s available in the Discovery and the Range Rover Sport.
By the way the Range Rover Sport gets a more luxurious cabin, while retaining the sporty cockpit feel with new seats.
The Terrain Response 4WD system has been improved for all models and a “Sand Launch Control” programme added to prevent the wheels from digging in when starting off from a standstill in soft sand.
Changes to the Hill Descent Control (HDC) inhibit the initial acceleration to improve descending on steep inclines.

The lineup and prices are as follows:

Discovery: 2.7 TDV6 $89,990; 3.0 TDV6 SE $105,990; 3.0 TDV6 HSE $119,990; 5.0 V8 HSE+ $149,990.
Range Rover Sport: 3.0 TDV6 $134,990; 3.6 TDV8 $149,990; 5.0 V8 $134,990; 5.0 V8 Supercharged $174,990.
Range Rover Vogue: 3.6 TDV8  $184,990; 5.0 V8 Supercharged $219,990.