Whilst re-worked steering provides improved directness just off centre giving a feel of flowing through the bends with small corrective inputs, rather than needing to steer it round the corners. New bushes and dampers further the handling and ride comfort. Revised suspension knuckles bring the center of gravity and suspension roll center closer together, along with stiffer roll bars resulting in noticeable reduction to lay over in assertive cornering. Kudos to LR, the D4 suspension has been tuned to leverage the engines new performance and safely deliver it to any road surface. I was impressed by the D3's very stable ride for its size and weight, thanks to the integrated body frame combining the best of monocoque and full chassis designs. But don't be fooled by this regal riding carriage, push the lever over to manual shift mode, and well as I look into the rear-vision mirror there's that dumb boyish smirk again! The Ride This slick 6-speed puts the extra low down grunt of the V8 to good use with the torque converter locking up sooner, reducing higher RPM slip through the gears and translating directly into dollars saved at the bowser. Shifts are quick, smooth and precise never disrupting the refined driving characteristics. Having an engine with this much potential and running it through the updated slick ZF HP28 6-cog auto box is pure indulgence. Is that really quick Well, the outgoing supercharged V8 Rangie Sport did it in low 7s? a comforting thought when you need to pull out onto a busy highway and rapidly integrate with traffic speeding along at 110km/h. If needed, the 276kWs of power will firmly push you into the seat as the low rumbling dulcet tones of the V8 see the tacho move quickly toward 6,500rpm relentlessly pushing this seemingly slothly creature from 0-100km/h in an eye widening mid 7 second territory. With a corpulent 510Nms of torque available at 3500rpm, push in the boot and you can feel it roll on smoothly yet assertively enough to provide confidence to dispatch any on or off road duties you may encounter with ease. Plus integration of LR's future smart e-Technologies designed to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions, including Regenerative Charging - the alternator stops charging whilst accelerating minimising unnecessary engine load maximising efficiency and output. There are a number of changes specific to the D4's requirements, power steering, air conditioning, starter motor and alternator are now water proofed, intelligent steps when negotiating creek crossings, with a deeper sump ensuring lubrication when tackling awkward terrain. ![]() Now given its ability to chew up and spit out everything I could throw at it, this is what a 4x4 V8 should be, never under promising and always over delivering! ![]() LR claim 25% power and 19% torque increases, with 8% less emissions and a 7% improvement in economy over the drinking habits of the old power plant. Whilst a modest 0.6L increase over the D3's bent eight, this 5.0L confidently raises the Discoverys performance bench mark.Īdvanced design, direct injection, higher compression ratios, torque-actuated variable camshaft timing including profile switching, and a variable-length inlet manifold add up to deliver strong low RPM response with crisp higher RPM performance. Our test vehicle was the HSE 5.0L V8 from the Jaguar XF saloon, an elegantly engineered unit leveraging the latest in engine design and technology. A jaw dropping 600Nms of torque (with 500 Nms available just off idle) puts this new powerhouse V6 in elite and heady company. But there's little doubt the 3.0L Twin Turbo will be the preferred option for towing duties. The well proven and honest 2.7L diesel is still available in the base spec. However, rather than the stylish new looks, the most important changes take place in the vehicles mechanical and technical DNA. The D4 can now confidently stand up, dust itself off, step out of the muddy working togs and don a dinner jacket. By retaining the core design and features of the predecessor but refining the image particularly with a vastly improved executive interior, LR has closed the leap to the Range Rover models. However, LR was careful not to disturb that classic side profile which is unmistakably Discovery, and they've done it well. A new Range Roverish two bar grill, some eye catching LED running lights and tail lights together with a rounded aero dynamic front bumper encasing a large air duct, produce a more refined visual appeal. LR has effectively changed the previous butch square edged stance into a more elegant pose, and this theme carries over into the renovated interior. ![]() The exterior changes seem subtle in isolation, but park the D4 next to its predecessor and you appreciate the simple rule of less is more.
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