As a car photographer, I try to find the angles that make the car look best. With Discovery it is difficult to find such angles.
Built for off-roading
Originally, it was designed as a full-size SUV with 3 rows of seats, with proper ones - and I mean them proper – off-road properties. Among other things, it can "wade" through 90 cm of water. Then it is perhaps not so surprising that the appearance suffers. It's just that the brother, Range Rover, has exactly the same platform and technology as Discovery - but still looks amazing! Maybe it's about identity? Stylish Range Rovers are chosen by fashion lovers, while adventurers and tough guys choose the Discovery. Min The reason for choosing the Discovery van was to test drive the same drivetrain that is in the Range Rover. We also needed a shopping car as the household's only car is in a garage waiting for parts from Germany.
Disregard the appearance!
Let's concentrate on the powertrain. The 3.0 SDV6 has a sequential twin turbo and produces 306 HP at 3750 revs. The torque is a formidable 700 Nm between 1500 and 1750 revolutions. The automatic transmission is an 8-speed ZF 8HP70, the same one supplied to models such as the BMW 7 Series, Bentley and Rolls-Royce, to name a few. I'm tempted to say that this is a drive unit "you should drive before you die" (it sounds nicer in English).
The Range Rover feeling
You get a Range Rover feeling behind the wheel, provided you don't hang onto the mesh wall behind the driver's seat. The steering wheel is surprisingly thin. It reminded me of the steering wheel of an old Jaguar - adapted to the British upper class. Gentlemen with hands that have never been used for physical labor. The steering is also speed-sensitive - absolutely perfect in all conditions. Gear selection is controlled "by wire" in the form of a steering wheel with marked clicks between the gears. Decor of oak and soft leather, as well as details in brushed steel. The high driving position and the air suspension at least gave me a bit of an upper-class feeling - as long as I didn't think about the appearance and the mesh wall behind the driver's seat.
The van solution
The problem is the partition. There are certainly many considerations to be taken. It often goes beyond the space in the driver's seat. I found a comfortable sitting position in the chair, but felt that, with my elbow at 90 degrees, I was sitting a little too close to the steering wheel. I think I should be able to get a little more arm swing by fine-tuning the steering wheel and seat further. But if you are tall (like me) or like to drive with straight arms (something I also advise against) then you should check whether you can actually sit in the driver's seat. The mesh wall also does not spoil the view to the rear and to the side.
Super torque
These days the Range Rover celebrates 50 years. It was for many years supplied with the 3,5 liter V8 – the Chrysler engine that British Leyland used in its Rover models in the seventies. One of the characteristics of this engine was that it ran well at low revs and long-legged gears. The V6 in "my" Discovery also does this without compromising the driving pleasure. On the contrary. You hear the rich snarl of the six when you take off, then you can cruise on the highway between 1200 and 1500 revs. If you need to drive more actively, the gearbox and engine respond as soon as you use the accelerator. Much of the joy of riding actually lies in knowing that the horses are ready at all times.
0,66 per mile!
With a car like this, it's easy to use a lot of fuel. I measured an average consumption of 0,66 over a distance of approximately 40 km in cloudy weather on busy roads, half along country roads and densely built-up areas - the other on a motorway with an average speed in excess of 80 km/h. I was pleasantly surprised when the average crawled below 0,7 liters per mile. Then I would have driven straight, but with an economical gas foot. My best saving tip is to look far ahead so that you can let off the gas as early as possible. Land Rover has been thorough in providing all official fuel measurement results - both WLTP and NEDC. The official consumption figures vary widely, but Mon can in other words, keep the consumption quite far down if you wish.
Conclusion
Full-size SUV, 3.0 twin-turbo diesel V6, air suspension, superb off-road properties and luxurious interior give a Range Rover feeling behind the wheel. That in and of itself is a good reason to choose a Discovery van with green plates. Other good reasons are if you need to tow a heavy trailer or drive on really crappy roads. The downside is that the partition can provide somewhat limited space in the longitudinal direction for tall drivers. Finally, I would also like to point out that Discovery is unlikely to win any beauty pageants. It may seem like form has had to give way to functionality and space. Seen from the positive side, that's about right the which means that we get it on tax-friendly green signs?
Facts about the Discovery van HSE 3.0 SDV6
Weights and Measures
Length, width, height: 497 / 207 / 189 cm
Wheelbase: 292 cm
Net weight without driver: 2420 kg (vehicle license)
Payload: 555 kg (wagon card)/900 kg (brochure)
Total weight: 3050 kg (wagon card)
Cargo volume: 1,8 m3
Cargo space length: 179 cm
Cargo space height: 83 cm
Max trailer weight with brakes: 3500 kg
– without brakes: 750 kg
Max trailer weight: 6550 kg
Max roof load: 80 kg
Engines
3,0 SDV6 sequential twin turbo
Horsepower: 306 at 3750 rpm
Torque: 700 Nm between 1500-1750 revolutions
8-speed automatic ZF 8HP70
Air suspension and four-wheel drive
Tires
Continental CrossContact (20 inch summer tires)
Performances
Top speed: 209 km/h
0-100: 7,5 seconds
consumption
Combined (NEDC): 0,75 l/mil
Road (NEDC): 0,68 l/mile
City (NEDC): 0,87 l/mile
Own measurement (40 km combined): 0,66 l/mile
Own measurement (10 km city/town): 0,70 l/mile
Prices
2020: NOK 866
About the car
Country of manufacture: Solihull, UK
Registered: December 2018
Mileage: 24842
Km driven: 83
Sources: Carriage cards, landrover.no
Owner: Old Carmarket
The car is rented via Hyre.no
Pictures of the Discovery van
See
