“The outgoing Discovery 3 has well over 100 international awards to its name.  But we've found ways to improve virtually every aspect of the  vehicle's design and engineering – some subtle, some major.  New design signals comprehensive engineering change under the skin, and now gives us the Discovery 4," says Phil Popham, managing director.

 

Star billing on the Discovery 4 goes to the highly efficient and refined new LR-TDV6 3.0 twin turbo diesel engine.  This delivers a 9 percent* fuel economy improvement (EU combined cycle) and ten percent* less CO2 emissions, at the same time as increasing power by 29%, all compared with the existing 2.7-litre engine.  Torque increases even more, up 36% to 600Nm - believed to be the highest torque output of any 6-cylinder, production diesel, passenger vehicle engine in the world.

 

The power and torque are both accessible across the entire rev range, to deliver  immediate throttle response and effortless cruising ability. The results include a 0-60mph time of 9.0 seconds, (0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds), a 24 percent improvement over the 2.7-litre.

Land Rover's engineers have also transformed the on-road ride and handling for the new generation Discovery 4, and even improved on the near-legendary off-road capabilities of its predecessor.  The comprehensive changes include new suspension components, revised steering, larger brakes, improved traction control, and enhancements to the award winning Terrain Response™ system, which helps optimise the vehicle for virtually all on-road or off-road driving situations.

 

The iconic exterior design has been updated, most obviously with smoother and simpler surfaces at the front, including a new, more aerodynamic bumper.  The sportier new lights help give the vehicle new character, and include LED technology front and rear.  The sophisticated new front headlights include High Beam Assist, switching on or off, as conditions require.

 

"The new interior not only has a much more premium look and feel, it's also gained improvement to its functionality.  The new console inclines towards the driver, the switchgear and controls fall more readily to hand, and new LED Interior Mood Lighting on HSE models helps make the cabin a more pleasant and more easily used space after dark.  We've made the interior environment more premium too, with smoother surfaces, softer materials and close attention to critical details such as stitching," says Gerry McGovern, Design Director.

New features available for the Discovery 4 include a Portable Audio Interface, DAB radio, a new five-camera 'surround' system, for easier parking and towing, and a new key system which offers Keyless Entry and Push Button Start.

"The changes and upgrades for Discovery 4 transform many aspects of the previous generation, at the same time as enhancing the flexibility and versatility for which Discovery is famous. It can carry huge loads in its spacious interior, climb mountains, cruise across continents, haul trailers of up to 3.5 tonnes, or transport seven family and friends in comfort.  I can't think of a more versatile vehicle anywhere," says Phil Popham. 

e-Terrain technologies boost economy and lower CO2 emissions

The new Discovery is packed with features aimed at reducing fuel consumption and reducing CO2 emissions. The new LR-TDV6 3.0 Sequential Turbo Diesel engine was designed from the outset to deliver class-leading fuel economy and improved low-end torque.  The parallel sequential turbocharging system of the 3.0-litre diesel makes use of its larger, primary turbo most of the time. The smaller secondary turbo remains dormant when higher power is not required, reducing pumping losses and consequently, fuel consumption. A highly efficient, third generation common rail injection system with piezo injectors and fuel metering, also makes a substantial contribution to fuel economy.

 

The new engine has been also been optimised for low-end torque as well as economy, making it possible to activate the lock-up clutch of the ZF HP-28 automatic transmission at lower speed. This reduces ‘slip’ in the hydraulic torque converter improving both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The higher torque at lower rpm also enables longer gearing for more economical cruising.

New LR-TDV6 3.0 engine boosts performance and cuts emissions 

 

“With immense torque delivered at low rpm, the new LR-TDV6 3.0 diesel is perfectly suited to the Discovery 4’s all-terrain capability. And on the road, the engine delivers huge refinement, as well as significantly better fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions” - Murray Dietsch, Director, Engineering Programmes

At the heart of the improvements introduced with Discovery 4 is an exceptional and highly efficient new diesel engine.  The LR-TDV6 3.0 sequential turbodiesel is based on the existing LR-TDV6 2.7-litre engine, but radically redesigned to deliver substantially higher performance, lower emissions and better fuel economy.

The 2.7-litre has won many admirers as one of the most refined diesels ever made. The new, twin turbocharger LR-TDV6 3.0 boasts substantial increases in both power - up 29 percent to 245PS - and torque, up 36 percent to 600Nm. The ability to deliver maximum torque at just 2,000rpm, combined with unparalleled throttle response, substantially enhances the Discovery’s already acclaimed ability both on and off-road.

The new 3.0-litre diesel can significantly out perform its rivals by delivering 500Nm in only 500 milliseconds from idle, unlike many diesels which can suffer turbo-lag at very low revs. From the driver’s perspective this means instantaneous access to 84 percent of maximum torque.

 

 

Major dynamic advances introduced for the Discovery 4 include revised suspension architecture, improved steering, larger brakes and enhanced versions of Land Rover's award-winning Terrain Response™ and Hill Descent Control systems.

The list of changes starts with new suspension knuckles, designed to reduce the separation between the suspension roll centre and the vehicle’s centre of gravity (reduction of 42mm at the front and 62mm at the rear).  This dramatically reduces the vehicle’s natural body movements when cornering.  These roll rates are further controlled by a stiffer and larger anti-roll bar.  

In addition, new bushes and new front and rear dampers enhance ride quality.

The variable ratio steering rack is revised, complementing the improved ride quality by reducing ‘twitchiness’ around the centre line at high speed cruising  and slightly increasing sensitivity at higher lock angles.  This enhances the sense of driver involvement in high-speed manoeuvres, and also increases precision for low speed control and off-roading.  The redesigned front bumper also helps improve steering feel, as its new anti-drag lips help reduce aerodynamic lift at the front of the vehicle by up to 50% at higher speeds. 

 

Increased stopping power

A new, larger brake system has been introduced along with the new engines, to cater for the Discovery 4's enhanced performance and to improve braking feel.  This new system is derived from the four-piston, opposed-calliper performance system used on the Range Rover Sport.  It employs a 360mm ventilated front disc with a new, cast iron twin-piston sliding calliper – which serves to reduce the size of the front brake package while preserving its stiffness, which in turn helps achieve excellent pedal feel. At the rear, a single piston sliding calliper operates on a 350mm ventilated disc, now manufactured in aluminium to help reduce vehicle weight. 

 

An additional advance to the braking system is the new emergency brake light function.  When the vehicle undertakes severe or emergency braking, the brake lights flash, to reduce the risk of rear end collisions. 

Updates for award-winning Terrain Response™ and Hill Descent Control 

 

For Discovery 4, Land Rover's award-winning Terrain ResponseTM system gains new features and refinements, further extending the vehicle's all-terrain capability.  Terrain ResponseTM optimises the vehicle set-up for virtually all on-road or off-road driving situations, with five different settings to suit different terrains:

• General driving
  
• Grass/gravel/snow
• Sand
  
• Mud and ruts
  
• Rock crawl
  

For soft sand – one of the most power-hungry surfaces – 'sand launch control' has now been introduced, which makes for noticeably easier drive-away.  New, speed-dependent wheel-slip targets for the traction control system permit only very limited initial wheel-slip, helping to prevent the wheels digging down into the sand.

Land Rover's much-acclaimed Hill Descent Control system is enhanced on Discovery 4 with the addition of Gradient Release Control.  This inhibits the initial rate of acceleration when descending very steep inclines, to increase control and eliminate the potentially alarming lurch which can occur when braking is released at extreme angles. 

 

The system operates automatically whenever Hill Descent Control is engaged, temporarily maintaining brake pressure after the driver releases the brake pedal.  It then progressively eases braking pressure to control vehicle momentum and acceleration.   Once the vehicle’s target off-road speed is achieved, Hill Descent Control operates to take vehicle to the bottom of the slope in its customary composed manner.