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Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 SE |
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Land Rover Discovery 4 is victorious again in the All-Terrain 4WD category in 2011, taking the number of wins for Discovery models to a phenomenal seven in a row. This was despite a robust challenge from Jeep’s impressive new Grand Cherokee Laredo 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, which outpointed Discovery 4 in the critical objective Value for Money stakes. Here, the bold newcomer topped the ‘Disco’ in pricing and depreciation (comprehensively), fuel consumption and insurance and matched it for standard features. But the champion that it is, the Land Rover came back all guns blazing in Design and Function and On and Off Road to successfully defend its crown yet again. We said last year that, “It’s man enough to skilfully tackle serious off-road duties, while strong performance, adept road manners, refinement and occupant comfort haven’t been sacrificed. Discovery again confirmed that rugged compromise isn’t necessary for all-terrain mastery.” We also reported that, “The air suspension delivers a supple and comfortable ride, while judges again praised its handling precision that exceeds expectations for an all-terrain vehicle weighing nearly 2600kg.” The same can be said in 2011. Australia’s Best Cars awards judges gave the ‘Disco’ 10 out of 10 for off-road engine gearing and traction, and near-perfect nines for safety, comfort, space, ergonomics, performance, ride, smoothness and quietness and off road clearance and articulation. Indeed, so smooth and comfortable is the Discovery 4 that Award judges had, at times, to remind themselves that they were driving an All-terrain, not Luxury, category 4WD. The SDV6 SE is motor-vated by a 3.0-litre sequential twin-turbo diesel engine (jointly developed with Jaguar) pumping out a brutish 600Nm of torque, some 36 percent to the better of the 2.7-litre diesel in Discovery 3. Power, at 180 kW, is also up nearly 30 percent. But these significant boosts have not been to the detriment of fuel economy, which shows an improvement over the previous model and is competitive for class. The fuel consumption figures can be attributed in part to the smooth, well-calibrated six-speed automatic transmission. Within the four model Discovery 4 line-up, the SDV6 SE is one above the entry level 2.7-litre TDV6. Nonetheless, Land Rover has not scrimped on standard equipment, including all-important safety items such as curtain airbag protection that extends to protect occupants in its standard third row of seats (that fold away into the floor when not needed). By Australia’s Best Cars’ awards definition, ‘all-terrain’ means just that and here Discovery 4 walks the talk thanks to an accomplished Terrain Response system with programs to meet nearly any challenge. Height-adjustable air suspension and hill descent control system add to the ‘Disco’s’ impressive off-road capability. “Grey nomads’ and others with long or heavy haul requirements will appreciate the vehicle’s braked maximum towing capacity of 3500kg, plus Land Rover’s trailer stability assist system that helps control trailer sway. Its fusion of can-do, off-road proficiency and boxes-ticked, on-road quality once again made it impossible to go past the Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 SE as our pick for 2011.
Finalists
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