The "old" Discovery Sport of 2015 was a car in two ways: quite modern on the outside and surprisingly archaic on the inside. Simple analog devices, a bunch of primitive buttons and black plastic, silver inserts and a clearly inspired two thousandth front panel architecture. Considering the course taken by the British to integrate at least two or better three screens into the interior, the widespread introduction of touch keys and glossy plastic, Discovery was clearly out of concept. But in fact, its update was predetermined not even by the fashion as such, but by the change of generations in Range Rover evoqueon the platform on which it was built.

1 / 5

2 / 5

3 / 5

4 / 5

5 / 5

True, unlike the younger Range, Discovery did not receive a new index, retaining the L550 designation, and, accordingly, did not change generations - at least officially. An update without a generation change is all the more surprising because Discovery Sport is a very popular model in the European market, where almost 34 thousand cars were sold last year, and in general, this crossover has remained a bestseller in global sales over the past two years. Against this background, the Russian 1.5 thousand with a little is not much, but already something. In general, it is not clear why the Evoque, with the move to the PTA platform, which remained a reworking of Ford's heritage under the EUCD acronym, earned a new index, while the Discovery Sport did not. It is difficult to say whether this is saving money for developing a full-fledged update or just a pause before upcoming changes: it is probably a mixture of the first and second. But under the minimally changed bodywork, you can find some noticeable changes, easily predictable given the platform change. What is the essence of the new Discovery and is there any point in buying it and not a baby-Range?

Everything is new, but not very

Those who read our spring test drive may get bored with the story about the technical base of the updated Discovery Sport. After all, "Sport" before the update, shared the platform with the youngest of the family Range rover, and therefore the current update was a logical transfer of the car to new rails following a relative. In general, the technical specifications for preparing the model for electrification were issued to engineers 3.5 years ago, and the basis of the fresh "Disco" is the same conditionally new PTA platform - Premium Transverse Architecture (premium architecture for cars with a transverse engine), which, as if a butterfly emerged from a cocoon of Ford heritage in the form of an EUCD cart with an intermediate link called the D8.

Everything here is very similar to what we saw six months ago: for example, if you compare the body structure, it becomes noticeable that it is exactly the same as that of Ewok. In addition to the hood, roof and tailgate, only the shock absorber cups and the front cross member on which the bumper is mounted are aluminum; Extra high-strength steel forms the front and rear side members, the B-pillar and the floor center transverse reinforcement, while the A-pillars and the rear floor reinforcement are made of ultra-high-strength steel. The floor has risen by 25 mm for mounting the battery and other hybrid strapping, and at the same time it has grown (yes, it has not decreased) by 20% fuel tank... The engine, on the other hand, was slightly lowered and the mounting scheme was worked on, reducing the level of vibration and noise. The restyled wheelbase has not changed - it is 2,741 mm, and the ground clearance is the same 22 cm.

Like the Ewok, Discovery Sport has grown heavier: if the former weighs at least 1,800 kg, then the disco's curb weight according to DIN standard is 1,979 kg for petrol and 2,009 kg for diesel. The limited use of aluminum can be considered one of the reasons. As before, the outer panels are made of it - the roof, the hood and the trunk, but the old crossover weighed 1,863 kg, and now, with the new hybrid scheme, which forces you to carry additional equipment and a battery with you, the curb weight has increased. Of course, Land Rover engineers explain the "fat" also by the increased opportunities for passive safety: The body is 13% stiffer and overall better impact resistance.

As for the powertrains, everything also came in line with what we have already seen again in the Evoque: this is a systematic "soft hybridization" of the line, which has not reached us in the same way. In Europe, the only version of Discovery Sport without a starter-generator and a 48-volt battery is the base version, which does not have the all-wheel drive, and the nine-speed "automatic" ZF. All other cars are equipped with this set: a starter-generator connected by a belt drive to the crankshaft adds power during acceleration, and on braking, on the contrary, generates electricity and stores it in a battery. The battery in such a circuit cannot power the car autonomously, but it never discharges completely. This is the same torque fill scheme as other "mild" hybrids: it only makes life a little easier for the engine and the driver, slightly compensating for the turbo lag, as well as providing 7% less fuel consumption and 10 g / km less CO2 emissions.

Now for the good news. Those who are not impressed by all this additional attachment (and it hardly impresses anyone seriously - we all understand that this is a compulsory measure of the automakers cornered by the "green"), can breathe easy, then that there will be no hybrids in Russia - not "soft ", No pluggable. Yes, in Europe early next year there will also be a plug-in with a three-cylinder engine, a separate electric motor and a more capacious battery. And in the meantime, simple gasoline and diesel cars with two-liter inline-fours of the familiar Ingenium family in two versions of forcing each will arrive in Russia. The base will be 200-strong gas engine, which in the more expensive version develops 250 hp, and diesel units produce 150 and 180 hp. respectively.

The suspension schemes have not changed - it's still the same MacPherson strut in front and a compact multi-link in the back. As before, adaptive dampers are available for a surcharge, the stiffness of which is monitored and adjusted every 10 milliseconds. However, we will talk about what the suspension surprised us a little later - first we get into the car and take a look around in the updated interior: restyling benefited primarily him.

Where are your pens

As we already know, the interior required updating much more than the exterior: the scattering of black buttons on the black panel looked old-fashioned. However, the result of the restyling can be assessed ambiguously: the front panel retained the dominant horizontal lines, but changed the physical keys to touch. The steering wheel and the design of the user interface are "corporate-wide" here, only the third screen for controlling the climate system of Discovery Sport did not get - it is not supposed to be due to the status. On the other hand, it is entitled to wireless charging, which is not available for any money for the expensive and avant-garde Jaguar I-Pace - in general, there is no need to look for clear logic here.

1 / 11

2 / 11

3 / 11

4 / 11

5 / 11

6 / 11

7 / 11

8 / 11

9 / 11

10 / 11

11 / 11

Instead of the traditional analogue dials, there can be a 12.3-inch screen in front of the driver's eyes, which complements the 10-inch touchscreen of the multimedia system. There is no need to be sad about the absence of a third display: regardless of their number, they are controlled by a single processor, and the more there are, the harder the hardware is - in the reviews of the owners of other Ranges, there are complaints about the slowing down interface. The central touchscreen, of course, is made using capacitive technology, and the resolution of both displays is sufficient: the picture is clear and easily distinguishable.

But with the lower touch panel, everything is not so simple. On the one hand, the proprietary scheme with convenient rotary-push controls that can control temperature, airflow intensity, seat heating and ventilation, as well as off-road modes, is convenient. The regulators themselves are inscribed with monochrome screens that display the climate settings, and the rest is displayed around them, depending on the selected control mode. But all the other keys like glass heating, intensive cooling of the passenger compartment, control of the stop-start system, and so on are touch-sensitive, and get into desired zone on the go is quite difficult, and a careless "swipe" with your hand can cause a real orgy. Omitting the obvious operational drawbacks such as the rapid soiling of a large black glossy canvas, we will be glad at least that the keys are contrasting and easy to read even during the day, and the orange power-on indication is informative.

1 / 3

2 / 3

3 / 3

The automatic transmission selector washer has been replaced by a non-locking lever - the same as that of the related Evoque and other models of the concern such as the Jaguar E-Pace. This decision, like some other design and ergonomic trivia, is credited to Land Rover with the idea of \u200b\u200b"giving Discovery Sport even more sport": having a selector, the driver feels better when manually steering and can recklessly tug on it when changing gears. Taking into account the possibility of ordering paddle shifters, the explanation looks somewhat contrived - on the other hand, the selector is indeed more familiar and easier to control than the washer.

The rear row has changed little: the wheelbase is 6 centimeters larger than that of the Evoque - 2,741 mm, so the passengers of the second row feel at ease, and the flat sofa is quite loyal to the third rider. The third row with a car length of 4,597 mm is expectedly modest here, but it is quite possible to seat children on it - and you shouldn't expect more from it. By the way, charging ports are useful for children in the second row, and you can order up to 6 of them at Disco Sport.

1 / 4

2 / 4

3 / 4

4 / 4

Among the features of the organization of the salon in Land Rover, the total volume of small compartments and boxes scattered throughout the cabin has increased to 45 liters, as well as the preserved seven-seater layout. We note the wide seats, designed for large front passengers: lateral support is so unobtrusive that slender riders will dangle between its bolsters. But the overall profile is quite convenient, the settings for the lumbar support are even redundant, and the adjustment ranges for the seat and steering wheel allow almost any driver to find a comfortable position.

1 / 3

2 / 3

3 / 3

And there are also ceiling handles - yes, on the one hand, this is a trifle, but on the other hand, neither Range Rover Evoque nor Jaguar E-Pace have them, and in the Jaguar the front passenger has to rest his feet on the floor in sharp turns and grab onto the semi-decorative frame on the central tunnel. In addition, the Range has the outer handles recessed into the doors - well, here they are full of two sets, which is definitely good for passengers: there will be something to grab onto steep slopes. It is not for nothing that, after all, there are so many electronic assistants for descent, ascent, fording and other off-road fun.

Everything is clear only off-road

At first, the choice of the vicinity of Barcelona for the test drive seemed incomprehensible: the ubiquitous 50 km / h limit and narrow serpentines, on which Discovery Sport pleases only with a moderately heavy steering wheel with good electric power settings and a clear zero position. The rolls are moderate, the asphalt habits are quite typical for a medium-sized crossover, except that the width of almost 2.2 meters, taking into account the mirrors, hints that it is better to drive 120 km / h on the highway than to drive off with trucks on narrow winding paths. At highway speeds, by the way, neither the wind noise nor the sound of the engine bother you: despite the fact that the double glazing "Disco" is not required (even the more "status" Ewok does not have it), and without it the sound insulation is quite decent.

1 / 6

2 / 6

3 / 6

4 / 6

5 / 6

6 / 6

The tuning of the powertrain, however, quite clearly hints that the word "sport" in the title is nothing more than a way to distinguish the model from the larger Discovery. Even a gasoline engine does not give the crossover liveliness: you press the pedal to the floor, wait for a second or a half - and the car starts to accelerate confidently but smoothly. In this sense, the choice of the engine becomes quite simple: if you don't see the difference, then why not save on fuel, win in autonomy and get more traction, preferring diesel engine? With it, Discovery Sport does not become noisier or even more phlegmatic, but the fuel consumption for the new and more "honest" WLTP cycle is just over 7 liters per "hundred", which is quite possible to keep within.

But now we move onto the off-road section, and it becomes clear why the Discovery Sport cabin still has overhead knobs and why we need inconvenient, but numerous touch settings on the multimedia display and on the climate unit.

1 / 10

2 / 10

3 / 10

4 / 10

5 / 10

6 / 10

7 / 10

8 / 10

9 / 10

10 / 10

In general, the all-wheel drive scheme for the car has not changed: in front there is a conditionally new power take-off unit, which cuts off the rear axle and connects it, if necessary, in 400 milliseconds. It can be considered conditionally new because the “old” Disco with the Active Driveline system had a similar opportunity - it is just that now the control hydraulics have been replaced by electronics, which simplified and facilitated the design. Like the Evoque, the rear left axle shaft is equipped with a clutch that cuts off the rear gearbox, which completely eliminates the rotation of unnecessary units during uniform movement: the front bevel gearbox disables the cardan shaft, and the rear clutch disables the gearbox, and in total this gives less friction loss and an additional 100 grams fuel economy every 100 kilometers.

Discovery is ready to show easy off-road stunts even to those who will not move off the asphalt: for example, while standing on a slope on the brakes, you can push the pedal harder and see the inscription Hold on the tidy, which means that the brake can be released. In the city it is just a handy feature, but on a slope it is an opportunity, for example, to lean out of the window and not roll down. Although, strictly speaking, Discovery Sport has so many all-round cameras that you won't have to protrude: in addition to cameras in the mirrors and on the nose, there are as many as two cameras in the back: the lower one serves for parking and viewing, and the upper one, with a water-repellent coating, is hidden in the fin antennas and works as a wide-angle rear-view mirror: the image from this camera can be displayed on the mirror itself. If you need to keep track of what is happening under the wheels, you can turn on the "transparent hood" mode: in this case, the front and side cameras remember the picture while driving and glue it together into a single frame, broadcasting what is happening on the screen in the cabin.

In general, one of the greatest strengths of Disco is geometry. By themselves, the entry / exit angles of 25 and 30 degrees with a ground clearance of 212 mm are not record-breaking, but the total opportunities are decent. Here, for example, is an illustrative example of the entrance and exit to an overpass with additional extensions that increase the requirements for the ramp angle. It is clear that the obstacle is "calibrated" for the car - but it makes it quite clear the geometric passability. In addition, the maximum ascent angle that Discovery Sport can climb is no worse than that of the new Defender - 45 degrees. By the way, he starts up the hill very confidently: first gear with a ratio of 4.713 plays the role of lowering here.

But if you move slowly, you can get much more impressions, and positive ones. Discovery Sport is well trained in familiar techniques such as self-descent from a hill, and he knows how to climb a hill, perhaps even better than most drivers. On one of the steep ascents, we got to the "diagonal" and, taking into account the extremely low speed - about 5 km / h - we waited for slipping and stopping, but "Disco" did not even stumble, quickly grabbed the wheel that had lost its grip and went through the obstacle on a smooth run. But if you go alone, you can get stuck.

“Is that freshDiscovery?! Very beautiful! Very!" - unexpectedly the owner of the newcomer turned to me at the sinkGLSstanding in the adjacent box. "And whySport or newVelar not chosen? All the sameRange Rover! ". "Diesel?! But I changed it for gasoline - the diesel engine rattles heavily. " If it were not for the time to leave, I'm sure the conversation would have dragged on for a long time: in a new Discovery, at first glance, there are so many changes that you can talk about them endlessly ...

Take at least a completely new appearance, which, of course, divided the fans in two. Some said a categorical "no" and went to worship the true "square", as the third and fourth generation of Discovery is often called. Others froze in charm, admiring not only the newfangled style, but also the confidence that even from ten meters, almost no one will distinguish the new Disco from the hierarchically “older” Range Rover.

The last factor really turns out to be a very good marketing ploy. The fact is that the new "Discovery" not only looks like a Range Rover, but also surpasses all its "brothers" in size. It is wider and taller than even the largest Range Rover, losing only 5 cm in length even to the Long version. That is, in terms of the ratio of the "number of cars" to the spent ruble, the new Discovery is the most profitable of the entire line of the British brand. And this is one third of the answer to the question of why not the RR Sport and the Velar.

On the bigDiscovery the new image lay like a glove. I completely agree with a casual witness of the preparation of the car for the test: newDisco looks very cool. UnlikeDiscovery Sport, he has not lost the stylistic connection with the ancestor, which is read in many details. And for all its massiveness and monumentality, the car looks light, elegant and, importantly, pathetic.

A revolution not only in design, but also in technology: the new bodyLand Rover 85% made of aluminum, thanks to which the car lost a fantastic 480 kg (!) in weight, which had a very positive effect on all driving parameters. As for the basis, the closest "relative" on the platform D7 u is anRange Rover Sport... Modified 3.0-liter "sixes" (gasoline and diesel) went toDiscovery from the predecessor. "Younger", but very interesting "two-liter"Ingenium will arrive in Russia in the spring of 2018.

Inside, there are much fewer revelations, but by and large there are none at all - with the exception of certain details and solutions, the interior of the new Discovery copies the decoration of the "senior" Range Rover. On the one hand, this is a plus: the nostalgic "square" interior pleases with spaciousness, tall seating position and lamp comfort, supported by a new texture of materials and simply a scattering of all kinds of practical and entertaining functions for each of Discovery's inhabitants.

Only in the vicinity of the front riders, as many as five compartments for luggage were hidden, not counting the pockets and niches in the doors. Two glove boxes are complemented by a cache with a changer under the hinged cover of the climate control unit. Cup holders with a double bottom - a volumetric box under them. A real refrigerator in the armrest crowns the revelry of practicality!

The multimedia capabilities of the car are completely conquering. The familiar Jaguar InControl Touch Pro system with a 10-inch touchscreen has a quad-core processor, 60GB of memory, a Wi-Fi router and as many as 15 ports for connecting external media, including 9 USB ports. And that's not counting the optional monitors for the rear passengers with three (!) Sets of headphones.

On the other hand, there are many nuances in the interior of the new Discovery, which become especially obvious after the test of the latest generation BMW 540i, the latest technologies of which will soon appear on other models. deutsche markincluding the X5 and X6 crossovers. Intuitive, but too simple instrument panel. Projector readings on windshield illuminated like a flashlight. Switching menus and recalculating routes noticeably slow down, although the map showing traffic jams is scaled and scrolled without delay. It is almost impossible to use the built-in browser due to ping. The picture of gluing all-round cameras is small and uninformative. In general, it is worth recognizing that for restyling, the British should work hard on updating the multimedia-digital part of the car, otherwise there is every chance to hear reproaches of moral obsolescence again.

But what is definitely beyond criticism in an SUV is the passenger compartment. The spaciousness is supported by a flat floor and full-fledged accommodation for three, however, not very well-fed passengers. Two of them have their own climate controls, monitors, sockets and multimedia ports.

Behind the backs of the second row there are a couple of folding seats that claim to be full-fledged, but with a stretch: the traditionally low setting of the seats makes the legs bend. On the other hand, all the additional amenities are accessible to the "gallery", including a chic glass ceiling.

All seats in the car are electrified. Moreover, there are as many as three sets of control units for them, including the remote one from the trunk. And when you install a special application, they can be folded even from a smartphone.

The minimum luggage compartment volume is 258 liters. There is a folding shelf that can hold up to 300 kg, and hiding places. With a seating capacity of five, that's an impressive 1137 liters, with all the seats folded flush with the horizon - 2406 liters. The underbody reserve always remains full size

The feeling of déjà vu never leaves the wheel. A huge steering wheel on a "long" arc is imposing in turns, the eyes read the dimensions along the plateau of the huge hood, the view from the high "bridge" gives an overview to the horizon, and the soft swaying along the asphalt waves when moving with squatting aft at the start pleasantly lulls you. Yes, I'm in a big Range Rover! The difference from the "big brother" is only in the really felt ease with which the car rolls along the road, as if the Discovery touches the asphalt, only to push off and fly further.

The merit of this behavior is not only in the super-efficient diet, but also in the excellent combination of a 3.0-liter diesel engine and an 8-speed "automatic", which precisely and quickly obey the accelerator. Thanks to the large number of steps, the torque shelf was moved down as much as possible, so that even with peak thrust and maximum output, the engine hums nobly and very quietly, famously accelerating Land Rover to 100 km / h in 8.1 seconds.

Stability is added to the lightness: Land Rover Discovery is very stable on straight lines, even on dirt roads and curves, and keeps well in bends. But the passage of the latter is not his element. The rolls are great, and the long-stroke "steering wheel" transmits sharp deviations very smoothly, turning them into a pause.

Lulling air suspension and 21-inch wheels are a specific combination. On the one hand, along various small things and even large pits, but with gentle edges Discovery goes with the comfort and silence of a sailing yacht. But as soon as sharp joints, protracted broken sections or doublets of potholes appear, shaking appears, and the suspension no-no, and will give an unpleasant blow.

All of the above fades into the background, as soon as Discovery is in its element, that is, off-road. Yes, despite the even greater departure towards glamor and pathos, Land Rover did not dare to transfer Discovery to the camp of large crossovers.

The full arsenal of off-road vehicles is predictably pleasing - only the starting version S has been simplified. First of all, the owner, of course, will appreciate the impressive geometric cross-country ability, the parameters of which, thanks to the air suspension, are at the level of off-road vehicles prepared for trophy raids. The standard ground clearance of 220 mm can be turned into 283 mm at the push of a button, and in case of emergency - into an impressive 358 mm. In this case, the difference in travels of the suspensions relative to each other reaches 500 mm. With such parameters it is almost impossible to hang Discovery in the "diagonal". And the machine is not afraid of hanging this - there are two lockable clutches in operation.

Absolutely everything that happens to the systems of an off-road vehicle can be displayed on the screen: suspension travel, wheel angle, roll degree, degree of clutch locks

Of course, before storming the obstacles, it is worth choosing the right program for the very effective Terrain Response 2 system, which, in fact, controls all potential, changing the degree of blocking, motor recoil, grip systems active safety and the sensitivity of the accelerator. Downshift and off-road "cruise", when the car can evenly crawl on unsteady ground, are activated by separate buttons.

The only weaknessLand Rover Discovery on dirt roads - asphalt and instantly clogged tires. If traveling across vast expanses is regular in your life, we definitely advise you to change both the dimension of the disks and the model of tires.

What's the bottom line?

Generally speaking, Discovery made the revolution exclusively in the bodywork direction, presenting new design on a new aluminum base. In all other respects, the car seemed painfully familiar, as if the parameters of the "senior" Range Rovers were slightly redesigned in it. And this, perhaps, is the secret of the success of the new Discovery: the car looks almost like a Range Rover, in terms of volume and functionality it is more interesting than a Range Rover, with a corresponding engine it goes faster than a Range Rover, and at the same time costs one and a half to two million cheaper.

If we ignore money, then Discovery remained faithful, first of all, to the spirit of adventure with which it infects, forcing to go to unknown lands, and big familyor a company in complete comfort and with a ton of multimedia capabilities on board. Add to this all the saved off-road potential, which, having tickled the nerves, will leave many of the obstacles behind, we get not just a universal car, but a whole amusement park.

In the editorial office of "Za Rulem" they have long looked at me as if I were weird. Now on, then race with the car. Unless he swam down the Moskva River from his office to his home (although in one of the German towns the locals, they say, do just that). In general, it sucked me irrevocably into triathlon, now only about it and talk.

And now it's time to move on to the new Land Rover Discovery. By coincidence, in December last year it was me who went to, where the price tags for the newcomer became known. The price tags, frankly, are considerable. They asked for this aluminum miracle no less than 4,033,000 rubles! Moreover, the fifth generation was presented with fanfare, in the center of Moscow, at the very beginning of Kutuzovsky Prospekt. And they linked the conclusion of the SUV with its extraordinary capabilities, giving a sense of freedom. A sort of assistant in the "wanted - did" part. Why did they even shoot mini-films with famous peoplewho have achieved success in various fields.

I especially remember one of the persons. Perhaps because before the Disco premiere, I absolutely did not know anything about it, and even then I saw only on the screen. Natalia Shtrombakh, a beautiful triathlete, owner of the FitnessOne sports club network and, as it turned out later, the mother of four wonderful girls. You listen to her talk about sports, about “the best version of yourself” and the role of Discovery in this, while mentally counting the money in your pocket, figuring out which organs will go for donation due to the shortage when buying an SUV.

Three elements

In a sense, Land Rover Discovery is a triathlete itself. And it's not just about the type of car - Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). According to the triathlon regulations, the first discipline for him should be swimming. Well, no question. The opportunity to swim in Disco presented itself when my colleagues and I were traveling around local reserves on pre-production prototypes. Even the right-hand drive and all sorts of admonitions from the Land Rover Experience instructors - they say, the cars are not yet for sale, make a discount - did not hide the obvious: the car easily overcame water baths. Fortunately, the depth of the ford has grown to 900 mm (earlier - 700 mm), although in practice the new Disco is ready to drive for some time even with water through the hood due to a clever air intake made in the form of a labyrinth.

The second stage in a triathlon is a bicycle race. Here you have to connect your imagination a little. More precisely, to figure out where in a car with three rows of seats and a bunch of transformation options (including remote, using an application on a smartphone), place two-wheeled vehicles. The task is quite lifting: with the seats of the second and third rows folded, we get a useful volume of 2406 liters! And this is not counting the roof box, where we placed five pairs of bicycle wheels, setting off in the new Discovery for triathlon starts from Moscow to Kazan as part of the Land Rover Irontour relay team. The same Natalya Shtrombakh, by the way, was an active triathlete herself and a multiple finisher of the Ironman competition at the "semi-iron" and "iron" distance with the FitnessOne instructor Pavel Blagikh. By the way, he is still in shock from the Disco function, which allows athletes to leave all their belongings in the car and go to sports with only one Activity Key bracelet. You no longer need to take your keys with you, the trunk will open automatically, you just have to raise your hand. And just for reference: a full Ironman is 3.8 km by swimming, 180 km by bike and then 42 km by jogging, and all this is only with breaks for changing the props. In the capital of Tatarstan, half of all of the above was waiting for us.

Finally, running. We chose a decent distance, more than 800 km along the Gorkovskoe highway, ruthless to drivers and cars, bypassing Vladimir, Nizhny Novgorod and Cheboksary. Ruthless, because traffic jams, continuous road repairs and oncoming traffic, and at the end of a one-day journey - a string of trucks, which every now and then need to overtake on a poorly lit road, dodging oncoming cars. It's a tricky business, but Disco has a few tricks up its sleeve here. As a professional athlete, he approached the start with all responsibility. "Dry" (as athletes call the burning of excess weight - in our case, as much as 400 kg!), Pumped up (under the hood - TDV6 biturbo diesel, 249 HP, 600 Nm), to accelerate to 100 km / h in 8.1 with, and competently equipped. While carefully selected running shoes (such as the Reebok Harmony Road) allow a runner to avoid injuries on long runs, Discovery's air suspension is responsible for the smooth running (starting with the SE version worth RUB 4,709,000) - a real gift on a long journey ... And for running tactics - adaptive cruise control. I set myself a comfortable speed and keep following the ride at a comfortable distance. Just like an air bag for runners and cyclists. In addition to more efficient energy (fuel) consumption, there is also a safety issue - you cannot miss a sharp change in the road situation. The car will brake itself until a complete stop, and to continue driving, just touch the gas pedal. Beauty!

Did you take Kazan?

Something like this, at a leisurely pace, in 12 hours we got from Moscow to Kazan. Upon arrival, at nightfall, the local Kremlin simply boggles the imagination, and the surrounding architecture too. Competently selected spotlights, highlighting the sharp edges of the complex and the Kul-Sharif mosque located on its territory, could not leave indifferent even such a hopeless skeptic as me. And yet it was thought that tomorrow, in the light of the sun, all the shortcomings would inevitably float out, as in Moscow. No matter how it is! In the past few years, Kazan has become the capital of several large-scale events at once, so the city center is licked so that you can safely have meals on the sidewalks. Guys, respect! Now it’s small - just keep it clean and tidy.

The embankment of the Kazanka River, in the water area of \u200b\u200bwhich the triathletes gathered at the Ironstar 113 Kazan this year, had to show who was good at what was to be seen, was the beautification and hospitality. For those who love swimming pampered by 25-meter pools, I will explain: the main problems after the water temperature (for us it graciously warmed up to 22 degrees, so some for the 1.9-kilometer stage refused wetsuits) - muddy water, complicated navigation and powerful pressure from the side rivals. Poking in all parts of the body is quite commonplace. Especially from breaststrokes (in triathlon competitions you can swim in any style, although the crawl has long been recognized as the fastest and most energy-efficient), who make characteristic jerks with their legs.

The swimmers who got out of the water are waiting for bicycles, which, according to the regulations, together with equipment, had to be placed in the transit area the day before. And before them there will be a 200-meter march barefoot along the red carpet (and what, are we Ironstar or not ?!). Greenhouse conditions? The organism, which has been actively threshing in a horizontal position for about half an hour, refuses to understand where it is being dragged, now vertically. "Persuasions" begin to work only with years of training and participation in such competitions.

Passing the transit zone is a separate test in the triathlon (as you understand, you will have to go through it again after the cycling stage). For experienced athletes, it takes a minute, for some, ten is not enough. The trick, for example, in equipment: you can save a lot of time if you wear a single starting suit (you swim, pedal, and run in it), zip your cycling shoes into the pedals in advance and don't use socks.

In general, triathlon, like any other sport (and like the new Discovery, which is already there), is very technical and technological. And the cycle stage here is perhaps the apotheosis of technology. From the shoe to the helmet to the bike, everything contributes milligram to the overall success. However, this does not mean at all that you can simply come from the street and meet the standard. And yet, when one day, after several years of mountain biking (an average of about 15 kg), I switched to a road bike (an average of 8 kg), it seemed like I got a second wind.

The second time you don't run into the transit, at first you prancing like a horse. Due to the monotonous cyclical movements during the previous 90 km, the legs are completely clogged, and the eyes refuse to take seriously the speed below 20 km / h. That is why the first kilometer in sneakers is extremely important - you need to strictly follow the pace by the clock, not overdo it at the beginning, keep your strength to the finish line, scattering gradually and not injuring your ligaments.

Here you will also find test drives of the tuned and restyled versions of Land Rover. We try to go to training grounds or race tracks to test the new Land Rover product in the most extreme conditions. In our Land Rover test drives, we try to answer questions of interest to all motorists. How does a car behave on rough terrain or on a highway. How comfortable the owner will feel at the wheel of the selected car and whether it is suitable for operation on the roads of our country.

Therefore, before buying a car, be sure to read our materials to ensure you make the right choice.

• A Acura
• Alfa romeo
• Alpina
• Aston martin
• B Bajaj
• Bentley
• Brilliance
• Bugatti
• C Cadillac
• Caterham
• Changan
• Chery
• Chevrolet
• Chrysler
• Citroen
• D Daewoo

• Daihatsu
• Dartz motors
• Datsun
• Detroit electric
• Dodge
• F FAW
• Ferrari
• G GAZ
• Geely
• Great wall
• Gta motor
• H Hafei
• Haima
• Haval

• Hawtai
• Hennessey
• Honda
• Hummer
• Hyundai
• I Icona
• Infiniti
• Isuzu
• J JAC
• Jaguar
• K KIA
• Koenigsegg
• L Lada
• Lamborghini
• Land rover
• Lexus
• LIFAN
• Lincoln

• Lotus
• Luxgen
• M Marussia
• Maserati
• Maybach
• Mazda
• Mazzanti
• McLaren
• Mercedes-Benz
• MG Cars
• Mitsubishi
• N Nissan
• Opel
• P pagani
• Peugeot
• Porsche
• Q Qoros

• R Ravon
• Renault
• Rolls-royce
• S Saab
• Skoda
• Smart
• SsangYong
• Subaru
• Suzuki
• T TagAZ
• Tesla Motors
• Toyota
• V Volkswagen
• Volvo
• W Wiesmann

By types of materials

Land Rover Range Rover - Four hundred horses for twenty thousand rabbits "

Despite the "cold snap" in Russian-British relations, the updated Range Rover and Range Rover Sport of the 2018 model year are getting ready to arrive on our market. In particular, the first hybrid modification of the Range Rover PHEV with a total power plant of 400 hp will be on sale. from.

Land Rover Discovery - "England in small sips"

Good food and drink should be eaten and drunk slowly, savoring the taste and aroma. So it is in tourism: in order to truly "taste" the country, feel and enjoy it, it is best to go somewhere in the outback. There, where the provincial way of life and the rhythm of life will allow you to relax, gain new knowledge, and get a charge of positive emotions. In England we did just that, driving through the towns and villages of Kent. And our new Land Rover Discovery became our companion on this journey

Land Rover Range Rover Sport -
"This Gold 4.5 Percent"

In our case, we are talking about the increase in power of the updated version of the Range Rover Sport SVR 2018 model year. Its engine output increased from 550 to 575 hp. from. Could it seem that this is not enough?

Land Rover Range Rover Velar -
Range Rover Velar High Tech

If you are not an expert, you will inevitably come across a brochure describing the many benefits of the new Range Rover Velar. huge amount incomprehensible terms and abbreviations, behind which, in fact, are hidden the latest achievements of the engineering thought of automakers and the latest developments of experts in the field of off-road conquest. We will try to explain to you what they all mean and how they can be useful in practice. Both on the road and off-road. Sometimes even extreme

Land Rover Discovery - "Towards the Roots"

The organizers dedicated the next expedition of the “Discovering Russia” project to Buryatia. We discovered a land with a beautiful and harsh Baikal, the oldest national park, as well as the culture of the people living here. The new generation Land Rover Discovery SUVs have become indispensable helpers on this journey.

Lexus GX, Land Rover Discovery - Last Heroes

Alas, nowadays SUVs are outliving themselves as a class, turning into crossovers, the driving performance of which is tuned mainly to asphalt. Land Rover Discovery looks like a pleasant exception against their background, although it has a monocoque body that improves handling on hard surfaces. And what can one of the "last Mohicans" with a frame structure, the Lexus GX, say in response?

Land Rover Range Rover Velar - "Reductionist"

The new Range Rover Velar is the fourth vehicle in the Range Rover family of luxury SUVs. It occupies a niche between the Evoque and Sport and becomes a dangerous competitor to the German regulars of the class: Mercedes Benz glc, BMW X3 and Audi Q5

Land Rover Discovery - Royal Routes

What makes a true British aristocrat different? This is not only impeccable manners, acquaintance in high society and loyalty to the values \u200b\u200bof a club. A true British aristocrat does not lose his luster even when he walks through the Grimpen Bog with a gun in his hand and knee-deep in mud. In principle, all this applies to the new Land Rover Discovery.

Land Rover Range Rover Velar - "Removing the veil from the key"

Rumors that Land Rover is preparing a competitor for the BMW X3, Mercedes CLK and, for example, the Lexus RX have been around for a long time. But when the car was shown at the Geneva Motor Show, no one believed that it was not an exhibition concept, but a model ready for mass production, it looked too avant-garde. Until the last moment it was hard to believe that it would go on sale in this form. Now that we have managed to get to know the new product better, we are ready to dispel all doubts and remove, as they say, the veil from the keys. More precisely, not from the keys themselves, but from the place where, in theory, they should have been.

Land Rover Discovery - "Skill Lessons"

The new Land Rover Discovery outperforms the previous generation in all respects. It is lighter, has increased cross-country ability and is controlled much better than before. We flew to the USA to test the novelty, to the border between the states of Utah and Arizona, and for some it was this that turned out sideways

About the brand:

Recent test comments

Sergey Sergeev

“Quite a predictable test drive result. I had the honor to try out the Prior model of an earlier model, so the problems are the same. Continuation of the comment. "

Evgeny Kirillov

"Where do you get such data? Maybe somewhere you are right in the best assembly, but during operation, they walk very little. And another anecdote-question: will a Chinese Kalashnikov pierce a Chinese bulletproof vest? So I don't ride the Chinese. All only personal .ni against something. Continuation of the comment. "

Boris Ilyin

“I rode the new Disco and the previous GX, completely different cars, even the level is different for me, but at the expense of the build quality ... well, how is that? The Japs still have the 20th century, it still looks the same. Continuation of the comment. "

Egor Sokolov

“Well, just a space car. My new dream is now "

Tataritskii ›Blog› Test Drive Land Rover Discovery 5: From Denial to Acceptance

While I am posting my old materials here with the leisurely turtle, the new ones will also become irrevocably outdated. It's time to break this vicious circle! Of course, calling the test drive of the new "Discovery", which I wrote for the magazine 5Koleso back in early March, will not turn our heads. And nevertheless, soon "live" cars will reach dealers and customers who made orders at the end of last year, so, with a stretch, but one can call the material relevant. However, enough extra words!

Land Rover Discovery 5 Test Drive: From Denial to Acceptance

As the day drew to a close, the setting sun illuminated the tops of the red rocks, giving them an even more majestic appearance. The first day of traveling through the state of Utah with its incomprehensible beauty was coming to an end. But before staying overnight at the hotel and heading to Arizona, there was another challenge. The organizers of the test drive have reserved the most extreme off-road for the new, fifth Land Rover Discovery at last ...

The geometric parameters are impressive: the angle of entry is 34 °, the exit angle is 30 °, the ramp is 27.5 °

Breastworks, diagonal hangings, side drops, 45-degree climbs and descents - each obstacle is more difficult than the last. Halfway through the windshield of my Discovery, I watched an alternating darkening evening sky or a gray cliff, ready to burst into the cabin at my first mistake. To avoid accidents, each crew was accompanied by an instructor from the global Land Rover Experience team. So mine was jumping like a tour on stones, pointing the direction of movement with my hand. Of course, it would be possible to display images from cameras on the 10-inch InControl Touch Pro multimedia display, but a person is still more reliable.

Discovery has a maximum ground clearance of 353 mm in an emergency

Discovery also rode. And in the literal sense. For a decent part of the route, only three wheels had close contact with the surface, and sometimes only two. Approaching the new rock, I mentally prepared that now is the very moment when I will fly upside down. But the two-ton SUV, having taken a short pause, so that the Terrain Response 2 system in “auto” mode would adjust the main units for a new obstacle, it passed as if nothing had happened. Confident. No hitch or slip. And even on regular "goodies" and 21-inch disks.

The final test before a well-deserved rest is to put the car across the slope at an angle of 30-35 degrees. By the way, in spite of the fact that the declared maximum is 35 degrees, for the "disco" to make the "ears", the slope should be much greater. It's just that after 35 degrees oil starvation of the units may begin.

The All-Terrain Progress Control system assists when starting on slippery surfaces and gets the car out of the mud. As far as possible, of course

It looks like we overdid it at the final stage. The steering wheel is turned to the right until it stops, the right front wheel hangs for almost a meter in the air. Honestly, I even saw the instructor close his eyes. I also wanted to close my eyes, but so that the force of gravity would not squeeze me through the window, I had to grab the passenger seat with my right hand, and it seemed that with my left I could reach the ground. Putting the car in the maximum allowable position, I exhaled, and the guide went to show that all doors, including the back one, open and close perfectly - a kind of demonstration of body rigidity.

It is not without reason that I started with off-road qualities. As soon as the public saw the first official photos of the fifth generation of Discovery and learned that the frame structure gave way to a monocoque aluminum body, a general cry began. Commentators resented that heartless marketers had turned the legendary SUV into a trite urban crossover. Meanwhile, the main characteristics were left without attention: four-wheel drive, two locks, maximum ground clearance - 283 mm (for versions with a spring suspension - 220), and in extreme conditions, the SUV "stands on tiptoe", rising to 353 mm from the ground, moves air suspension - 210 mm, ford depth - 900 mm, entry angle - 34 °, exit angle - 30 °, ramps - 27.5 °, wheel articulation - 500 mm (for versions with spring suspension - 380 mm).

But, in truth, looks are really controversial. In tribute to the memory of its predecessors, only a barely noticeable step on the roof and an asymmetrical tailgate remained. Moreover, if the first still performs the function of increasing the space above the head of passengers in the back, then the second is pure decor. The spare wheel can no longer be hung on the door: it is now one-piece and made of composite materials.

It is curious that in general the car is quite good looking. Stylish lines, dynamic features - everything we love today. And if it was some other new model of the Land Rover company, then it would be received much warmer. It's just that over 27 years the automaker itself has taught us that Discovery is a country guy who prefers fistfights to discos. And suddenly, after four generations, the design of which was sketched exclusively with the help of a ruler, he is born. Arguments such as aerodynamics, safety and sustainability are cited in favor of the new look, among other things. No doubt about it! But those same factors don't stop the guys at Mercedes, who have been adjusting the G-Class to modern standards for a decade without changing the packaging.

If not everything is clear with the appearance, then the salon has exceeded all expectations. I sit in the driver's seat, put my hand over the Discovery lettering on the steering wheel and get a Range Rover: from leather and wood to door cards. There are, of course, nuances. In order to slightly dilute the model in the corners, Discovery was left without a digital dashboard, limiting ourselves to an analog one with a small display in the center, and also in some places replaced aluminum or wood with plastic. But in terms of smart and practical solutions, "disco" furnished its premium brother.

What does a big family need when they decide to travel by car? Lots of compartments to store junk, tons of power outlets and USB inputs, WiFi, spacious trunk and comfortable seats. Discovery has perfect order with this. The cabin has a total of 21 niches with a total capacity of 45 liters. Multimedia is capable of distributing Wi-Fi to eight devices simultaneously, and 9 USB ports and 6 sockets will be able to provide them with energy. It is possible to install 5 child seats with the Isofix system (in the 7-seater version). Front seats with massage function. The third row can be called complete without irony. And, in the end, with just one touch of a button on the screen of the head unit or on a smartphone, using the proprietary Remote app, all the seats fold into a flat floor. Of course, most of these features are available for a surcharge or at top trim levels, but they really will prove to be indispensable helpers on a long journey.

The roads in Utah and Arizona, although better than in Russia, are still far from the German autobahns: both in terms of the quality of the road and the speed limits. A keen desire to press the accelerator pedal all the way, rushing to the horizon along the deserted highway laid in the desert to the words of Johnny Cash “There ain’t no grave can hold my body down”, cooled the signs “Speed \u200b\u200blimit 65” (105 km / h). The laws are harsh here. A colleague exceeded the speed limit by only 15 miles, and received consequences in the form of a police officer on a "charged" Ford Explorer, a $ 240 fine and lost hours for paying it.

And yet, looking around and making sure there is not a soul in sight, I put the ZF 8-speed automatic washer into sport mode, grip the steering wheel tighter and push the throttle to the floor. The roar of a diesel V6 with a capacity of 249 forces and 600 Nm finally broke through the thick soundproofing, penetrating into the cabin. Slightly squatting on its backside, the SUV rushed forward. 130, 140, 150… At about 170 km / h the pace calmed down, and the numbers on the speedometer began to creep slowly. 191 ... 192 ... 193 ... They can probably shoot for that.

According to the passport, the car accelerates to a hundred in 8.1 seconds. But due to the smooth running and several layers of noise insulation, it seems that the process is somewhat slower. With the petrol "six" output of 340 forces and 450 Nm, the sensations are even more deaf. On paper, it is a second faster than a diesel engine, but the engine sounds so tasteless that even the desire to press the trigger disappears.

Specific compressor whine gasoline engine and a slightly empty steering wheel - that's, perhaps, all the comments on the new Discovery on the track. Otherwise, he can only be praised. In comparison with its predecessor, it passes corners more dynamically, more confidently and almost without banks. Fuel efficiency is also evident, as "lost weight" by almost half a ton. Bumps and bumps dissolve in the independent air suspension, inherited from the Range Rover.

I left the most controversial point for last - the cost. In Russia, the price tag starts at 4 million rubles and goes for 6.5 million. The versions on which we traveled through the Wild West cost 5.6 million. Expensive? Acceptable? And these are questions for you, dear readers. Only time will tell what the future holds for the fifth generation of Land Rover Discovery. However, about 20 thousand pre-orders worldwide, made, As soon as the covers were torn off, they set themselves up for an optimistic scenario, in which Discovery still occupies an important place in personal geographical discoveries.

Terrain Response 2

The new Land Rover Discovery has received Terrain Response 2, an electronic system for adapting to road conditions. Among the main differences from the first generation technology are switching between the “puck” modes and the “Auto” function, which automatically adjusts all the car's organs to a particular surface: “Asphalt” , Grass / Gravel / Snow, Dirt / Track, Stones, Creep, and Sand. In addition, there is a slide, downhill and something like the All-Terrain Progress Control off-road cruise control.

As already mentioned, heavy frame construction is a thing of the past. Discovery 5's unpainted monocoque body is 85% recycled aluminum. Moreover, the manufacturer uses his own grade - half of the "volatile" metal is made from it. High-strength A600 aluminum alloy is used in key areas of the body. Everything is assembled with glue and rivets.

What did all these innovations give? First, the car "lost weight" by as much as 480 kg. Discovery's curb weight ranges from 2,080 to 2,223 kg, depending on engine type and equipment. Secondly, the center of gravity was lowered, and the weight distribution along the axes was brought to a 50:50 ratio. Thirdly, new design gives more advantages in terms of vehicle layout. There is space for a full-size spare wheel, and there is more space in the cabin, in particular in the third row.

The reduction in weight, combined with improved aerodynamics, has a direct impact on fuel economy and acceleration dynamics. Three-liter gasoline and diesel V6, which migrated to the engine range of the fifth "Discovery" from its predecessor, improved acceleration rates to hundreds per second - 7.1 and 8.1, respectively.

Specifications Land Rover Discovery 5

2017 Land Rover Discovery Test Drive

Attempt # 5

Before meeting with the fifth-generation Land Rover Discovery SUV, I was worried - the memories of its older brother, the Range Rover model, were still fresh, which, being pleasant to talk to, frustrates over trifles. Moreover, if the previous Discovery was square and brutal, then the new one is like a glamorous fitness trainer who forgot to pump the sirloin - it is, frankly, not indisputable in this car.

Off-road suspension travel is large.

A couple of weeks ago I rode the country roads in a GX 460. Now I am repeating the route on Discovery. Under the bottom - 283 mm ground clearance. The air suspension, inflated to the upper position, fulfills the terrain without a hint of rigidity, which manifests itself only in the uppermost position - when the clearance grows to 290 mm. To reach the limit, however, you need to sit on your belly - so that the electronics understand that there are few preset clearance options.

I also liked the All-Terrain Progress Control off-road cruise control, which acts like Toyota's Crawl Control system, but, in my opinion, more accurate. By evaluating the situation under the wheels, the electronics maintains the snail speed. You rested, say, on a ladder - you turn on the system, release the pedals and watch the autopilot work. Copes! The autonomous driving speed can be adjusted using the buttons on the steering wheel. It's a pity All-Terrain Progress Control, so far only the top Disco in the limited First Edition is available.

Surcharge for the Terrain Response 2 system with automatic suspension adjustment mode is only 11 thousand rubles. But you can order it only together with the lowering row of the transmission and the third row of seats - for 220 thousand.

The wading depth of the new Discovery is 900 mm, 130 mm more than that of the previous generation. Seals on the doors are double, protection from moisture and dust at a height, and - in the literal sense: the engine breathes through a system of channels in the hood, which cuts off water. So the new Disco is still a diver!

Discovery rooms are high up - a plus for wading.

Is Discovery 5 more comfortable on the pavement? Not on 21-inch wheels for sure. As long as the road is flat, everything is fine, but as soon as you roll onto a comb or a series of potholes, the interior of the SUV begins to shake and shake. You literally flop into large potholes. I would love to change those trendy wheels for 19-inch wheels, which I had a chance to ride on the Land Rover training ground.

The new Air Suspension Discovery has a 30-degree approach and exit angle in off-road mode. The ramp angle is 27 degrees.

In other asphalt disciplines, the Discovery is good even on these wheels. Having dropped almost half a ton of weight due to the composite rear door frames and aluminum body parts, he clearly became prettier in road habits. Sports sharpness on the steering wheel, as it was not, and not, but the five-meter SUV holds the road perfectly. Instead of the imposing pitching of the fourth generation Disco - composure. True, the owners of the previous model, whom I gathered to get acquainted with the new one, did not appreciate this.

One of the participants in the Disco-rendezvous is 194 cm tall. And the first thing he noticed was an uncomfortable landing at the wheel. No matter how the person tried to sit down, the ceiling, which is clearly lower in the new car, hung uncomfortably over his head. I jumped into his "four" - and it's true: there is clearly more air in the cabin, as well as the space above your head. Another friend complained about the lack of leather on the front panel (it cannot be ordered even for a surcharge) and that the doors on the Disco 4 close more noble.

In terms of capacity, the rear sofa of the new Disco does not differ from that of the old one - it cannot be said that it is very spacious here.

The Discovery 5 seats can be folded in several ways: via the multimedia system menu, using the smartphone app and using the buttons in the trunk and doorways.

The height of my second acquaintance, the owner of the Discovery 4, is 180 cm. He, like me with his 186 cm, got comfortable behind the wheel. But he immediately found fault with the size of the volume control knob of the audio system and its location on the passenger side, not on the driver's side - obviously, this is an uncorrected focus on the right-hand drive market, which is native to the brand. On the other hand, it is even more convenient for the passenger, and the driver can control the music from the steering wheel.

Autopilot is not working perfectly. Keeping in the lane is carried out by sharp steering - the SUV rushes to the sides, sometimes not noticing the markings. At the same time, the steering wheel literally pulls out of the hands.

The lack of leather on the front of the new SUV by the old Disco's second owner was also surprising. And the glitches of the multimedia system - upset. Compared to the old car, there is a faster processor, new graphics and a beautiful navigation map, but the menu does not turn over immediately, the icons are pressed every other time ... electronic systems were powerful, large, rubberized, but now ... ”. On the comb and bumps, the suspension of the new Disco seemed to the owner of the old one to be watery. Here, obviously, large wheels affected, causing vibration of unsprung masses.

Discovery's base ground clearance is 220mm. With air suspension, the body can be lowered 13 mm lower at high speeds, and 40 mm lower in loading mode. On crossings up to 80 km / h, the ground clearance can be increased by 40 mm, and on serious off-road conditions and up to 50 km / h - by 75 mm.

You literally have to penetrate the third row of seats - the opening is too small.

As a result, after a date with the new Disco, I again felt a constructive understatement. With such a high price, I would like, for example, that the upper glove compartment can be opened not only by the lid itself, but also by the handle, which is not here. Together with the rest of the listed disadvantages, I can hardly call this SUV premium. In addition, instead of a gasoline engine, you definitely want a diesel. In general, if not restyling, then at least a planned update of the next model year is needed - and the elimination of annoying little things.

Test drive Land Rover Discovery 5: six troubles - one answer

All the off-road features of the new Discovery inherited from previous generations - so to speak, its DNA, which, thank the Indian gods, has been preserved. In addition, the manufacturer has added off-road cruise control and Terrain Response 2 with automatic suspension control to the new Disco. All this, of course, is cool. But taking a step forward, Land Rover simultaneously jumps backward in giant leaps. And at the same time, it continues to mistakenly consider its cars to be premium. I just want to say: "Friends, you have not seen a real premium!"

LET'S GO FROM THE REAR

The design of the new Disco is in order, except for the disfigured stern. Either the flight of thought of the chief designer Jerry McGovern ended on her, or they hurried him and he rushed to draw a more harmonious and beautiful Velar. In general, the new Discovery has a very ambiguous rear. However, this did not seem to affect the initial sales in Russia - in a couple of months, about three hundred people became the owners of the novelty. But are they happy?

If this is their first car and they are girls, then I guess so. And if these are men with a height of 190 cm? In the old Disco, these fit easily, but where do they put their heads in the new? A tall person cannot sit comfortably in the driver's seat! It turns out that the newcomer was moved for nothing to a new "cart", thanks to which an 187-centimeter passenger should easily fit on any of the rows. And I would like to highlight the word "fit" here as a key one.

Why Toyota Fortuner won't be popular in Russia

New SsangYong Rexton: half a step to premium

WILL BE LITTLE

They can be found in KIA Picanto, Renault Logan, and much more. Just do not sit comfortably, but fit. So in the new Discovery - the clearly lowered roof presses not only in the front but also in the back. Even that stylish step, which, as a tribute to past generations, migrated to the roof of the "five" does not help. Don't believe me? Climb onto the second and third rows of the SUV and you will understand everything yourself. There is no more space here than in the four, and the trunk is even smaller - checked with a tape measure!

But in terms of the number of sockets and USB, the new Disco is the record holder - entertainment and energy independence are at the forefront here. Wherever you look, everywhere you can stick some kind of device for charging.

NO SKIN ...

Speaking of leaping back, I mean not only the new Discovery's not increased capacity. So, for example, the word did not become premium at all. The four are many times more pleasant and brutal inside. Its front panel is covered with leather, which the "five" was not given even for a surcharge. All kinds of "twists" are also more interesting in Disco 4 - off-road powerful, rubberized washers fit nicely into your fingers and you can't miss them even with strong shaking. What can not be said about the flimsy handles of the "five".

And the location of the volume control on the passenger side is completely disrespectful to the Russian and European market as a whole. Yes, you can say: "We are artists, we see it this way." But it doesn't roll, comrades British. As a driver, it is convenient for me when everything is at hand and from the side from which you expect! Yes, you apparently saved a lot of money, but you are like the Asian Mitsubishi L200 and Isuzu D-Max pickups, the price of which is negligible in comparison with the price of the Disco 5. And the fact that the upper front glove compartment was deprived of the opening handle is a complete failure! But what about ergonomics and usability? God bless her - with the skin. That there is only one "premium" multimedia system!

Test drive Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT: eats means loves

The date of the premiere of the new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado has been announced

... NO MULTIMEDIA

From generation to generation, all glitches are transmitted to it, along with off-road DNA. Let's start with convenience. What, I wonder, smart guy guessed to make a huge screen rectangular so that it is not even a 16: 9 cinematic format? I wonder if the one who came up with this tried to use the navigation on this screen?

If the reader does not understand what this is about, then remember how you put your smartphone when you turn on Yandex.Navigator on it. Yes, vertically so that all turns are visible in front. It's hard to guess what Land Rover was thinking when developing the screen. Even in 3D mode, navigation is inconvenient! What can we say about the constant freezing and non-operation of virtual keys - all this in the multimedia of the new Disco in full. And the menu is so complicated that I didn't even remember where I saw translation errors into Russian. But, believe me, they were there. Not in the same amount as the "four", but there were, damn it!

How do you like the analog instrument panel? At the Audi Q7 for less money, it is digital and so good that it is impossible to tear yourself away from its contemplation - the instrument scales change dimensions, freeing up space for navigation systemwhich, in turn, is based on Google maps. And not in the form of a diagram, but from a satellite - aerobatics and premium is evident!

BEAUTY OR RIDE?

NOT IN A HORSE FOOD

Three-liter petrol turbo-six with a capacity of 340 liters. from. also not impressed. Well, her herd is not felt, no matter how you trample the gas pedal to the floor. 7.1 seconds to a hundred speak? Maybe. But the diesel engine of the old "four" knocks much better at the start. From which pleasant sensations from him are much more. And how do you like the consumption of 16-17 liters per hundred? But don't forget that you still have to pay taxes!

… In general, there is more disappointment in this car than charm. The first wow-effect disappears as soon as the door of the new Discovery 5 is slammed shut - even here the British managed to ruin everything. But we have not yet looked under the hood and bottom of the "new" SUV. And believe me, there is also something to tell about. But that is another story…

Discovery in small format (Our test drive Land Rover Discovery Sport)

On the test, we have one of the brightest novelties of the season in the crossover class - land Rover Discovery Sport. It replaces the Freelander, but gets half a step higher. New crossover with a length of 460 cm, it is 24 cm shorter than the famous Discovery, but 9 cm longer than the Freelander and offers two additional seats in the cabin.

The car develops the company's new corporate design line and is similar to the Freelander, Evoque and Discovery's senior all-terrain vehicle. The appearance turned out to be very harmonious and expressive, at the same time, in the Land Rover way, strict and proportional. Adaptive xenon headlights with LED segments look great. The body is steel, with aluminum front fenders and a hood, but this did not bring any gain in weight compared to premium-level counterparts. But, most likely, it helped to compensate for the weight of off-road units and assemblies available in Sport, and which many analogues lack.

The overall interior design has gone far from the modest Freelander, now it is close in style and performance to Range Rover cars, in terms of equipment and quality of materials it is quite premium. Pleasant to the touch and to the eye the texture of the plastic, trimmed with stitched leather panels, and a large selection of color options for finishing materials. In our case, black plastic and leather were combined with a brown shade of chairs and inserts in the doors. Looks rich. Luxurious embossed chairs with pronounced lateral support have excellent ergonomics and ample range of electrical adjustments. There is an adjustment of the lumbar support, heated seats of the first and second rows, as well as the steering wheel. True, the functions of heating the seats and the steering wheel do not have buttons, but are sewn into the menu of the communication system, which is not very convenient.

But the most noticeable interior innovations are the remote control of the updated Terrain Response system, which has turned from a round switch into a button block. And the automatic transmission is now controlled by a circular controller that pops out of the center tunnel when the engine starts, just like Range Rover and Jaguar cars.

Of course, the car offers a ton of modern electronic assistants from the automatic emergency braking system to the advanced parking system and the system of projection of instrument readings onto the windshield. The center console has an 8-inch touchscreen communications system. It has all kinds of modern functions in its arsenal, but the most interesting, perhaps, remains the possibility of two-way broadcasting. If the driver, for example, is tracking navigation, then the passenger can simultaneously watch TV programs or movies on the same display. A lot of pleasant emotions is brought by a continuous a roof with a panoramic view without a crossbeam, it allows a lot of light to enter the passenger compartment, but if necessary, it can be covered with an electric blind.

A remarkable achievement for Discovery Sport is the second row of seats. It is very spacious here, as in a Range Rover and comfortable, there is a retractable armrest with cup holders, its own climate control unit. The seat is adjustable both in the angle of inclination of the backrest and in the longitudinal direction by 160 mm forward and backward. This ensures acceptable comfort for passengers in the third row of seats. The two folding armchairs are designed primarily for children, but adults can also make short trips. And even here there are additional conveniences: its own ventilation and heating system control, as well as cup holders.

Discovery Sport's fifth door is electrically operated. A neat and comfortable trunk is lined with good-quality materials. The volume ranges from 830 to 980 liters, depending on the position of the middle row sofa. And if you add it up, then the volume for the luggage increases to 1700 liters.

Discovery Sport is equipped with a 2-liter 240-horsepower gasoline turbo engine or a 2.2-liter turbodiesel in two versions: 150 and 190 horsepower. The transmission is in any case a 9-speed automatic with a round selector. We are testing a car with a 190-horsepower turbodiesel, which can be considered optimal for this crossover. There is enough traction in any conditions, acceleration is light and swift, the “automatic” works almost without delay, shifting gears quickly and smoothly. But absolutely trouble-free operation of the transmission cannot be called, there are a lot of gears and the "automatic" in transition modes, it happens, gets confused in them, which causes hitch and jerks.

The Land Rover is stable on the track, and it will not be knocked off course by any rut, waves or cracks in the asphalt. There's a bit of laziness at corner entry, but that's okay for a massive crossover with a comfortable suspension. And the steering is clearly feedback and a good reaction force, like a thoroughbred passenger car. So, the word Sport in the name of the crossover is not without reason. I am glad that the suspension is also endowed with an optimal balance between handling and smoothness. There is no particular swing, rolls in corners are moderate, the car is able to give pleasure in handling, at the same time, smoothness and comfort.

Surprisingly, with such driving performance on asphalt, Discovery Sport has not lost the ability to drive successfully off-road, as soon as the wheels touch the soggy ground. The Terrain Response all-wheel drive system has only four modes, but gives the car an off-road capability that surpasses that of conventional crossovers. The car is able to overcome a ford up to 600 mm deep, and the clearance according to the passport is 212 mm. In reality, it is slightly smaller, somewhere around 205 mm, but this does not detract from the off-road capabilities of the car.

Under normal conditions, most of the power is transferred to the front wheels. In mud and on slippery surfaces, the torque is actively varied between the wheels, and the car moves successfully without fear of diagonal hanging. The Huldex clutch response time has been reduced to 300 milliseconds, which means that the optimum balance of traction is delivered to the front and rear axle wheels almost instantly. The car moves confidently both in a rut and on soggy uphills and slopes, and it does it so intelligently and easily that an inexperienced driver can cope with the control. The engine and transmission tandem with excellent traction and smooth, correct gear changes ensures reliable forward motion in all conditions.

So Discovery Sport does not succumb to the off-road, almost as well as its older brothers in the legendary brand. True, the delicate bumpers and the absence of powerful, stationary towing lugs indicate that it is still not worth meddling on serious off-road in Sport. And the variety of cross-country driving algorithms provided by the crossover's all-terrain transmission requires training. You need to understand and experiment in them in order to understand the capabilities of the car in certain driving conditions. The car itself engages the clutch lock, releases the stabilization system, varies the degree of response to the gas pedal and limits engine thrust. And it is important to know when and under what conditions this happens. So, for example, when the "mud-rut" mode is turned on, the stabilization system "falls asleep", intensive slipping is allowed, and the imitation of cross-wheel locks is almost inactive. And, conversely, in the "grass-gravel-snow" mode, the response to pressing the accelerator pedal is reduced, engine thrust is limited, but the rear axle drive clutch is blocked. But most of all I liked the "sand" mode - and slipping is allowed, and the traction on all wheels is optimal, and the clutch is blocked. So in this mode, you can quite successfully move on almost any type of off-road.

Summing up the impressions of the new Discovery Sport, we can say that the car has pleased almost all positions. With an elegant respectable appearance, it remains a good all-terrain vehicle and quite comfortable, practical car in daily use. The Freelander has received a remarkable successor that only adds to the merits of its predecessor.
Prices at the time of the test started at 2.5 million for the standard version of the car with four-wheel drive, 150-horsepower turbodiesel and 9-speed "automatic". The maximum performance of Luxury costs from 3 million 240 thousand, and the test car with the most complete set of options is even more expensive - 3 million 770 thousand.

Land Rover Discovery Sport Specifications (Manufacturer Data)

• Body - 5-door, load-bearing, steel
• Number of seats - 7
• Dimensions, mm
• Length - 4589
• Width - 1895
• Height - 1724
• Base - 2741
• Clearance - 212
• Curb weight, kg - 1863
• Full weight, kg - 2600
• Trunk volume, l - 829/1698
• Engine - turbocharged diesel
• Number and arrangement of cylinders - 4, in a row
• Volume, l - 2.2
• Power - 190 HP at 3500 rpm
• Torque - 420 Nm at 1750 rpm
• Gearbox - 9-speed automatic
• Drive - full with a multi-plate clutch in the rear wheel drive
• Front suspension - independent, spring, McPherson
• Rear suspension - independent, spring, multi-link
• Maximum speed, km / h - 188
• Acceleration time from 0 to 100 km / h, s - 8.9
• Fuel consumption per 100 km, l
• Urban cycle - 7.1
• Country cycle - 5.5
• Mixed cycle - 6.1
• Fuel - diesel
• Tires - 235/55 R19

Photos test drive

The car was provided for testing by TransTechService.

At the end of last year in Russia began to sell the ancestor of the genre of "cross-coupe" BMW X6 - in the new, third generation. We decided to pick worthy rivals for it - the Audi Q8 and the Range Rover Sport: all with 3.0-liter turbodiesels and almost the same price tags.

Cars where mechanical box justified not by economy, but by pressing necessity, quite a bit. These are either purebred sports cars or professional SUVs. Today we are talking about the latter - eight real crooks with all-wheel drive and mechanics.

At the end of October, Russian dealers will have a Land Rover Discovery Sport, created on a new platform - the same platform on which the fresh Range Rover Evoque is based. Judging by the appearance, the changes that the model has undergone do not pull not only a new generation, but even restyling. All styling has remained almost unchanged since 2015, when the Freelander was reborn under a new name. Then we got a completely different car. What is the essence of the changes now? To answer this question, we went to the ride premiere of the novelty.

Range Rover Evoque of the new generation is starting to arrive at Russian dealerships. At one time, this first generation model made a lot of noise in the crossover class. It is not a hit of sales, but it set the direction that many other brands have followed. Following the British, everyone rushed to make small “designer SUVs”. Even Toyota now has a C-HR. So, it's time for the British to surprise the public with something again. Otherwise, why are they asking for a "SUV" in a good configuration, the amount that would be enough for Prado?

The heroes of our today's test represent three classic off-road schools - American, Japanese and English. True, in recent decades, the requirements for "classic SUVs" have changed significantly, today the ability to get out of the mud is not enough. Moreover, off-roading is rapidly turning into an optional discipline, which the driver is not obliged to know at all, “smart” electronics should “think” for him, and the convenience of daily use has come to the fore. However, traditions have not died, "American", "Englishman" and "Japanese" are still strong, but each in its own way.

Range Rover in the first two generations did not just emphasize the status of its Russian owner. As if to say - a person, at least in terms of choosing a car, does not think according to templates, prefers not everything, is ready for experiments. It is a pity that those cars wandered into our country only sporadically. But the third generation Range Rover “went to the people” - it became as popular as the BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg. Therefore, it is not a problem to buy a used British SUV now. The question is, is it worth it?

All existence comes to its own time, but the life of machines is an instant even in the transience of human existence. If we assume that cars can think and feel like people, then Land Rover Defender in their view should be the immortal Duncan MacLeod, because to live 68 years is a good achievement for a person.

This comparative test might not have taken place. At first, until the last moment, we were not sure that a brand new BMW X3 would have time to be registered with the traffic police. Then the guys from Lexus balked: in their opinion, the RX and X3 are not competitors. And they even asked to mark their point of view in the article. Well, let's celebrate. And only Land Rover Discovery Sport watched the rivals with British equanimity.