Land Rover Discovery News

The Land Rover Vision Concept will be presented at the New York motor show later this month, previewing the upcoming replacement for the Discovery. But it also heralds a new sub-brand, spawning a separate group of family four-wheel drives.With Range Rover covering the premium end of the market, the Discovery sub-brand will target more family focused buyers. The new Defender, released a few years later, will also become its own sub-brand, dedicated to 'lifestyle adventure' style 4WDs. With all vehicles placed under the three families in Land Rover's lineup, the British manufacturer will be able to fill more niches and target different buyer groups.The Vision Concept is the showcase for the full sized Discovery, due in 2015, but the new sub-brand will also cover the third generation Freelander that will arrive next year – possibly bearing the nameplate  Discovery Sport and expected to feature an optional third row of seats. Further Discovery sub-models may emerge soon after.The Vision Concept teaser video shows all the Discovery's trademark design cues – an escalated roof, stadium seating, flat surfaces and a prominent grill. However, the teaser shows a more modern shape and feel, and a softer interior design with Land Rover's rotary gear selector and terrain response, chrome detailing and a large touch screen mounted on the dashboard. A highly versatile interior with rear seats that slide and tilt individually signals intentions to appeal to families who enjoy the outdoors.Details are scarce on technical specifications on the new Discovery, but the big news is the move to a monocoque platform, which should shave up to half a tonne off the current model's weight. However, the 183kW/600Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel V6 is expected to continue, as well as the 276kW/510Nm 5.0-litre V8 and the new 250kW/450Nm V6 petrol engine.Watch the Land Rover Vision Concept video op our desktop site. 

The Freelander replacement is significantly bigger and uses the basic package from the city-focused Evoque, but with the emphasis on family use and off-road ability.This Carparazzi picture shows a prominent grille, sloping roof and a spoiler on the tailgate. 

Land Rover’s Discovery has received a raft of updates that bring the go-just-about-anywhere SUV into line with the latest additions from the British automaker. The Discovery is a rugged, luxurious large SUV that offers more practicality and space than any other option within the Land Rover lineup, and it now benefits from fresh styling, a new engine and more tech features.The changes to the styling are hard to notice but they consist of a new front grille, a new front bumper, new headlights with Land Rover’s modern LED daytime running lights, two new alloy wheel designs, and a revised version of the Land Rover badge.Under the hood, Land Rover has replaced the thirsty, naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 with its latest supercharged 3.0-litre V6 engine. The engine delivers 250kW of power and 450Nm of torque -- which is slightly down on the 276kW/510Nm of the V8 -- via an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.The 0-100km/h time is said to be around 8.1 seconds, which is not bad for a vehicle that weighs around 2.5 tonnes. We’ll have to wait until the Discovery’s next generation to see it adopt the lightweight aluminium construction that the new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models benefit from.The rest of the Discovery range carries a pair of 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesels: the 155kW/600Nm TDV6 and the 183kW/600Nm SDV6 -- both mated with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and promising 8.8L/100km fuel economy.Inside, designers have added more premium touches to align the Discovery with other Range Rover vehicles. These include more soft-touch materials, an available Meridian premium sound system, Wade Sensing technology, Blind Spot Monitoring, Closing Vehicle Sensing, Reverse Traffic Detection and T-junction Cameras.Look out for the debut of the updated Discovery at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show next week, and expect it in showrooms towards the end of the year as a 2014 model.www.motorauthority.com

The nose is getting a tweak with LED running lamps and a look that's closer to the all-new Range Rover and Sport, but it's the new engine - from Jaguar's F-Type sports car, and replacing the existing V8 - that's the big news for 2014. 

Land Rover’s Discovery is set to receive a raft of updates that will bring the go-just-about-anywhere SUV into line with the latest additions from the British automaker. This means efficiency gains across the range, LED-enhanced headlights and a much more luxurious interior.What we can see from these spy shots is that the updated Discovery, which is expected to arrive on the market around the end of the year as a 2014 model, will feature new lights, new side mirrors and tweaked bumpers.The Discovery is getting supercharged V6 power for the 2014 model year. The engine will replace the naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 in some markets, but still aim to offer superior performance, while reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.For the updated model, expect this unit to be joined by Land Rover’s new supercharged 3.0-litre V-6. The supercharged V-6 has already been announced for the latest Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models where it delivers 254 kilowatts and 450 Newton metres of torque.The Discovery will stick with the eight-speed automatic, and won't get the nine-speed automatic gearbox that’ll become standard-fit in the Range Rover Evoque. For the interior, look for a revised dashboard, a new steering wheel and soft-touch materials all around. Stay tuned for updates as development of the 2014 Land Rover Discovery progresses.www.motorauthority.com 

Production of the millionth Land Rover Discovery comes 23 years after Land Rover introduced its original model. Since it first came to market as a third model to sit between the Range Rover and the Defender, it has carved a market segment and sold strongly. Discovery has picked up more than 200 awards around the world and last year saw record sales of almost 45,000 units across 170 worldwide markets. Up to 83 per cent of UK production is exported from its land Rover's West Midlands manufacturing base. The Land Rover Discovery is one of the world's most practical vehicles it can seat seven passengers, has a load space volume of up to 2,500 litres and is packed with technology including Land Rover's award-winning Terrain Response System, which adapts the vehicle to respond to differing terrains and driving conditions including snow and sand. The success of the Discovery alongside other Land Rover models has helped to create a positive momentum at the company's Solihull operations. The facility now employs around 6,000 people following a recruitment drive launch six month ago, boosting the workforce by 20 per cent to support its expansion plans.

Not a big price jump, mind you. "Only small…less than a grand more than the 11' model." Land Rover spokesman Tim Krieger says. He says official pricing will be released closer to the launch in November. With no changes to the engine or the appearance of the car, the bump in price covers the minor facelift with gadgets and entertainment. An eight speaker sound system will be standard, with 17 speakers and 825W of power available in the premium pack. Ipods, USB drives and the onboard hard drive can play music using the colour touch screen. The back seat doesn’t miss out on the action with a DVD player capable of connecting to game consoles and able to play movies from USB drives. The DVD player can now be conveniently accessed in the head unit, instead of clambering into the luggage compartment like previous models. New wireless technology lets the backseat passengers control their music through headphones and remote control. The 2012 model adds two option packs: The Technology pack has 4X4i off-road navigation, front and rear cameras for parking assist and voice command functions on the touch-screen. The Vision Assist pack adds cornering lamps, automatic headlights with high beam assist, a surround camera system and tow and hitch assist technology.

These are two recommendations University of Queensland researcher Bronwyn Griffin expects to flow from her study into the incidents which is to be handed to Parliament by July next year.  She was speaking yesterday (FRIDAY MAY 21) at a demonstration of vehicle rear blinds spots held on the forecourt of Suncorp Stadium as part of an awareness campaign for national Fatality Free Friday (FFF) next Friday."Nothing replaces parental vigilance," Griffin said pointing out that in Queensland 196 children were seriously injured in low-speed accidents and 18 killed in the past five years.  "Queensland has the highest death rate in the nation probably because we have a higher proportion of four-wheel drives," she said."However, technology such as rearview cameras can't be trusted completely. It's a great aid, but it doesn't eliminate the problem. Also, it's not affordable to all families."  However, FFF founder Russell White said it was wrong to pigeonhole all four-wheel drives as a problem and pointed out with his demonstration that a Commodore sedan with a boot-mounted spoiler has a blind spot 15m long compared with 3.6m for a Land Rover Discovery.The demonstration also included a Holden Barina with a 6m blind spot and a Toyota Tarago with 10.1m.  "I would have expected the 4WD to be the worst, but you can't pigeonhole them as all the same," he said."Some of our sedans are a bigger problem. It depends more on the design of the vehicle rather than the type.  "The Disco has a big window in the back with a low tailgate while the Commodore has a high boot and a spoiler."Rear architecture of the vehicle clearly plays a huge role in visibility and we need to ask manufacturers if they ever take this into account."  While 4WD vehicles were involved in 10 of the 18 fatalities, passenger cars accounted for most accidents causing major injuries and 84 per cent of vehicles involved in low-speed run-over incidents were passenger vehicles.Griffin said most of these accidents happened in home driveways.  "Unfortunately most often it's the mum or dad that is driving," she said.  "With the decreasing size of homes these days the driveaway is an attractive place for children to play, but it's not a safe place."She recommended parents walk around their car before getting in, supervise and remove children in the area and separate their driveway with a physical barrier form the rest of the yard.White also suggested drivers should learn to adjust their rearview mirrors for better vision.  "But even with the mirrors correctly adjusted every vehicle will have a blind spot and we need to be aware of the size of that even in a small sedan," he said.  Drivers who wish to take part in Fatality Free Friday can register their interest online at www.fatalityfreefriday.com

There is more to towing than just hitching the trailer or caravan and pulling into traffic for a trip.Anyone who has lost control of a loaded trailer or caravan can tell you that getting it wrong can have serious consequences.Even taking a load of junk to the tip or picking up a box-trailer load of garden supplies can get ugly — or worse — if you are not adequately prepared.And learning to back and park with a trailer on the tail takes skill.The potential for disaster is everywhere: from choosing the right tow vehicle and preparing it for the job, to carrying too much weight, incorrectly distributing the weight of the load, or failing to maintain a trailer or caravan.STARTING POINTThe first step into tow land is to decide what you want to tow.More importantly, you need to calculate how much it weighs when fully loaded and ready for the road.This will help you work out if you can keep your existing car or whether you need to buy something new, perhaps a four-wheel-drive if you have horses or a big boat, to handle the tow work.TOWING CAPACITIESAll modern vehicles have a rated towing capacity.For example, a big 4WD such as a Nissan Patrol has a maximum towing capacity of 3500kg, but a small car such as a Toyota Corolla has a towing capacity of only 1300kg.The towing capacity includes the trailer or caravan, as well as all its contents, so people intending to tow a caravan should include everything they plan to take with them, including full water tanks.If you already have the caravan/trailer and can borrow a friend's tow car for a while, then it is easy to work out the weight of what you are towing.Just go down to a public weighbridge and roll the trailer on to the scales.Most new caravans have a rating that tells you how much the van is able to safely weigh, then you can compare this figure with the car's towing capacity.If your vehicle doesn't have a specified towing capacity (this often happens with older cars), you are allowed to tow up to 1 1/2 times the unladen mass of the tow vehicle, as long as the trailer and braking system complies with the relevant Australian Design Rule.If the trailer is not fitted with brakes, the mass of the caravan/trailer must not exceed the unladen weight of the tow vehicle, or 750kg.BRAKESThere are two common types of trailer brakes.The older type is mechanical, which triggers a hydraulic system that reacts when the tow vehicle decelerates.New trailers and caravans have an electric braking system that is much easier to control.Apart from being adjustable, electric brakes can be operated separately from the tow vehicle's brakes. If a trailer or van starts to sway, the driver can apply its brakes separately and have a much better chance of bringing it under control.WEIGHT-DISTRIBUTION HITCHA tow vehicle running with its nose in the air and rear almost rubbing on the ground is dangerous.Apart from all the wear and tear it causes, it also affects steering and braking.So a weight-distribution hitch is an important part of safe towing.OTHER GEARIt is a legal requirement for drivers to have a clear view of the road at all times, so you should consider fitting larger mirrors or mirror extenders, especially if towing a caravan.SPREADING THE LOADThe way a trailer or caravan is loaded is important.Put too much weight at the front or too much at the back of the caravan/trailer and it will negatively affect the handling, perhaps leading to a crash.MAINTENANCEMost trailers are stored in the back yard and are not used often, so it is important that they be regularly check and maintained.Wiring can easily corrode, causing lights to stop working, tyres can crack from old age, wheel bearings can dry up and braking systems can seize.The same goes for caravans.They may also be fitted with gas cylinders for cooking, which need to be regularly checked.GETTING IT RIGHTTow-Ed driving instructor John Eggenhuizen, who runs a national towing course, says towing accidents happen far too often.He tells of a just-retired couple who bought a $70,000 Toyota LandCruiser and a $65,000 caravan to set off on holiday, only to lose control and write them off in a crash.Eggenhuizen says such accidents are often caused by poor caravan/trailer set-up and a lack of experience.He says proper training prepares drivers for such situations, but also helps drivers with the sometimes difficult task of backing a trailer or caravan.BUYING A TOW CARBigger is usually better when it comes to tow cars.You don't need to have a giant 4WD, but they are often the best machines for the job.Vehicles designed for carrying heavy loads, including 4WDs such as the Nissan Patrol, Toyota LandCruiser and Land Rover Discovery, are the best if you have a heavy caravan/trailer.Mid-sized 4WDs such as the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Prado are also excellent, and family machines such as the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore are good.Ford Falcon wagons and utes make better tow cars than Holden Commodores and regular Falcons because they have leaf-spring suspensions, and the Ford Territory's extra weight and reduced rear overhang makes it a good tow vehicle.Small 4WDs such as the Subaru Outback or Nissan X-Trail are OK for towing relatively light loads.Turbo diesels are the prime engine choice for many tow cars because they have lots of torque and don't use as much fuel as a petrol engine.Six or eight-cylinder petrol engines are good because towing requires maximum pulling force. The more torque an engine has the better it will be for the job.Four-cylinder petrol engines can pull lighter loads, but often struggle with heavier cargo.TOW DRIVING TIPSAllow extra distance in traffic.Apply throttle and brakes more gently.If the caravan/trailer starts to sway do not apply the tow vehicle's brakes. If the trailer/caravan is fitted with independent electronic brakes, apply them slowly. If not, continue at a steady speed or accelerate slowly.Engage a lower gear for better control downhill.If possible, pull off the road to allow faster traffic to pass and stop more often to rest. 

There is more to towing than just hitching the trailer or caravan and pulling into traffic for a trip.Anyone who has lost control of a loaded trailer or caravan can tell you that getting it wrong can have serious consequences.Even taking a load of junk to the tip or picking up a box-trailer load of garden supplies can get ugly — or worse — if you are not adequately prepared.And learning to back and park with a trailer on the tail takes skill.The potential for disaster is everywhere: from choosing the right tow vehicle and preparing it for the job, to carrying too much weight, incorrectly distributing the weight of the load, or failing to maintain a trailer or caravan.STARTING POINTThe first step into tow land is to decide what you want to tow.More importantly, you need to calculate how much it weighs when fully loaded and ready for the road.This will help you work out if you can keep your existing car or whether you need to buy something new, perhaps a four-wheel-drive if you have horses or a big boat, to handle the tow work.TOWING CAPACITIESAll modern vehicles have a rated towing capacity.For example, a big 4WD such as a Nissan Patrol has a maximum towing capacity of 3500kg, but a small car such as a Toyota Corolla has a towing capacity of only 1300kg.The towing capacity includes the trailer or caravan, as well as all its contents, so people intending to tow a caravan should include everything they plan to take with them, including full water tanks.If you already have the caravan/trailer and can borrow a friend's tow car for a while, then it is easy to work out the weight of what you are towing.Just go down to a public weighbridge and roll the trailer on to the scales.Most new caravans have a rating that tells you how much the van is able to safely weigh, then you can compare this figure with the car's towing capacity.If your vehicle doesn't have a specified towing capacity (this often happens with older cars), you are allowed to tow up to 1 1/2 times the unladen mass of the tow vehicle, as long as the trailer and braking system complies with the relevant Australian Design Rule.If the trailer is not fitted with brakes, the mass of the caravan/trailer must not exceed the unladen weight of the tow vehicle, or 750kg.BRAKESThere are two common types of trailer brakes.The older type is mechanical, which triggers a hydraulic system that reacts when the tow vehicle decelerates.New trailers and caravans have an electric braking system that is much easier to control.Apart from being adjustable, electric brakes can be operated separately from the tow vehicle's brakes. If a trailer or van starts to sway, the driver can apply its brakes separately and have a much better chance of bringing it under control.WEIGHT-DISTRIBUTION HITCHA tow vehicle running with its nose in the air and rear almost rubbing on the ground is dangerous.Apart from all the wear and tear it causes, it also affects steering and braking.So a weight-distribution hitch is an important part of safe towing.OTHER GEARIt is a legal requirement for drivers to have a clear view of the road at all times, so you should consider fitting larger mirrors or mirror extenders, especially if towing a caravan.SPREADING THE LOADThe way a trailer or caravan is loaded is important.Put too much weight at the front or too much at the back of the caravan/trailer and it will negatively affect the handling, perhaps leading to a crash.MAINTENANCEMost trailers are stored in the back yard and are not used often, so it is important that they be regularly check and maintained.Wiring can easily corrode, causing lights to stop working, tyres can crack from old age, wheel bearings can dry up and braking systems can seize.The same goes for caravans.They may also be fitted with gas cylinders for cooking, which need to be regularly checked.GETTING IT RIGHTTow-Ed driving instructor John Eggenhuizen, who runs a national towing course, says towing accidents happen far too often.He tells of a just-retired couple who bought a $70,000 Toyota LandCruiser and a $65,000 caravan to set off on holiday, only to lose control and write them off in a crash.Eggenhuizen says such accidents are often caused by poor caravan/trailer set-up and a lack of experience.He says proper training prepares drivers for such situations, but also helps drivers with the sometimes difficult task of backing a trailer or caravan.BUYING A TOW CARBigger is usually better when it comes to tow cars.You don't need to have a giant 4WD, but they are often the best machines for the job.Vehicles designed for carrying heavy loads, including 4WDs such as the Nissan Patrol, Toyota LandCruiser and Land Rover Discovery, are the best if you have a heavy caravan/trailer.Mid-sized 4WDs such as the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Prado are also excellent, and family machines such as the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore are good.Ford Falcon wagons and utes make better tow cars than Holden Commodores and regular Falcons because they have leaf-spring suspensions, and the Ford Territory's extra weight and reduced rear overhang makes it a good tow vehicle.Small 4WDs such as the Subaru Outback or Nissan X-Trail are OK for towing relatively light loads.Turbo diesels are the prime engine choice for many tow cars because they have lots of torque and don't use as much fuel as a petrol engine.Six or eight-cylinder petrol engines are good because towing requires maximum pulling force. The more torque an engine has the better it will be for the job.Four-cylinder petrol engines can pull lighter loads, but often struggle with heavier cargo.TOW DRIVING TIPSAllow extra distance in traffic.Apply throttle and brakes more gently.If the caravan/trailer starts to sway do not apply the tow vehicle's brakes. If the trailer/caravan is fitted with independent electronic brakes, apply them slowly. If not, continue at a steady speed or accelerate slowly.Engage a lower gear for better control downhill.If possible, pull off the road to allow faster traffic to pass and stop more often to rest.