8

ENDURING BENCHMARK

NEARING THE END OF ITS LIFE, LAND ROVER’S DISCOVERY REMAINS

THE BENCHMARK IN SO MANY WAYS.

L

IKE a number of vehicles in the Dirty

Dozen, the Discovery is a former 4X4 Of

The Year winner. In fact, the Discovery

has been a habitual 4X4OTY winner, the

last time when the TDV6 you see here was

released in 2012.

Back then it was called Discovery 4 – now

it’s just called Discovery to distinguish it

from the Discovery Sport, effectively a third-

generation Freelander.

Either way, the TDV6 is the latest iteration

of a vehicle line that goes back some 13 years

to the original Discovery 3 (the 4 being just a

development of the D3’s basic platform).

The TDV6 is the entry model in the Discovery

line-up and is comfortably the pick of the range

for a number of reasons. First up, just about

all the features that don’t come standard with

the TDV6 can be added as options, with only

a handful of high-end entertainment options

unavailable, including rear DVD and digital TV.

Most importantly you can add leather, third-

row seats, sat-nav and a rear auto-locking

differential, among other options – most of

which are standard on the more expensive SDV6.

The SDV6 also comes with a more powerful

version of the Discovery’s 3.0-litre bi-turbo-diesel

V6, which offers 183kW and 600Nm versus

155kW and 520Nm for the TDV6.

But here’s the rub: the SDV6 and the TDV6

engines are mechanically identical and only

differ in tuning software. A Land Rover dealer

isn’t about to do the tune-up for you, and they’ll

probably say it will void your warranty. However,

it can be done – and it’s not hard. Plus, you’re

not tuning the engine beyond what it’s designed

for – something that’s not the case with most

diesel engine upgrades. Either way, the low-tune

engine mates beautifully to the slick ZF eight-

speed gearbox to produce a relaxed, adequately

powerful and refined powertrain.

Unlike the Prado and 200 Series, the

Discovery has height-adjustable air spring

suspension, so it’s relatively low on-road ride

height doesn’t compromise off-road clearance

and vice versa. In fact, the Discovery works

beautifully both on- and off-road. However, the

rear-locker option is a must for anyone who

wants to fully utilise their Discovery’s off-road

potential.

Complementing the Discovery’s broad

spectrum of on- and off-road capabilities is

its big, space-efficient cabin that remains a

standard-setter in functionality.

As ever, the Discovery’s small fuel capacity

and wheel and tyre spec are practical

shortcomings. The former can be addressed

relatively easily, the latter not so. But still,

the Discovery is a great 4x4. Let’s hope its

replacement due next year is at least as good.

PRICE $69,630 ENGINE 3.0-litre V6 bi-turbo-diesel

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY TDV6

ENGINE: 3.0-litre V6 bi-turbo-diesel
POWER: 155kW
TORQUE: 520Nm
GEARBOX: eight-speed automatic
4X4 SYSTEM: dual-range full-time
FRONT SUSPENSION: independent/air
springs
REAR SUSPENSION: independent/air
springs
KERB WEIGHT: 2558kg
GVM: 3240kg
TOWING CAPACITY: 3500kg
FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 82.3 litres
ADR FUEL CLAIM: 8.8L/100km

56 http://www.4X4australia.com.au

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