By Nitish S. Rele, nitishrele@gmail.com
DISCOVERY HSE
Wheelbase: 115.08 inches
Length: 195.6 inches
Weight: 4,916 pounds
Fuel capacity: 22.5 gallons
City: 21 mpg
Highway: 26 mpg
Web site: www.landrover.com
Forget the body LR4. The midsize SUV has been substituted by the 2017 Land Rover Discovery. It is equipped with a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6 engine (Td6) belting out an ample 254 horsepower @ 3750 rpm and 443 pounds-feet of torque @ 2250 rpm while mated to a responsive 8-speed auto gearbox. A permanent all-wheel drive delivers necessary torque to the rear wheels. Using the exclusive Terrain Response system, pick one of the following as per road/weather conditions: general (for daily driving), grass/gravel/snow, mud/ruts, sand, rock crawl and dynamic. Credit an independent front and rear electronic air suspension (enables the ride to lower 1.6 inches to enable easy ingress/egress) for a remarkably supple ride on the 20-inch wheel SUV. Tow capacity is a remarkable 7,716 pounds.
Longer but lower with a slight boost in wheelbase, the Discovery is a fitting replacement for the LR4. Its familiar clamshell hood meets up with jewel-like LED headlights and a mesh grille hosting the vehicle emblem. The cabin is decked in typical Land Rover fashion with rounded instrument gauges, straightforward climate, navigation and entertainment controls, and supportive seats. The 16-way power adjustable front seat along with a tilt and telescopic steering column can accommodate the largest of drivers. Accommodating seven, with just a touch of a button, both the rear seats fold down. Space abounds inside with a dual glove box, huge center console and a decently-sized trunk area. Other standard amenities include a rotary gear shifter, tri-zone auto a/c, power panoramic sun roof and tailgate, heated front/rear seats, 825-watt Meridian sound system and a 10-inch LCD screen.
Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, four-wheel antilock brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Distribution, hill descent control, side door impact beams, Electronic Stability and traction control, front/rear parking sensors, anti-rollover system, front crumple zones, two-speed electronic transfer case with torsion-center differential, rear camera, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring system are standard.
No doubt this diesel-charged and luxury-packed Land Rover is nippy of the mark, sprightly in traffic and a pleasure to drive. Plus, you can put the SUV’s off-road prowess to use. Now you all need is $65,950 and change.
