Discovery 4 2012: Car for any terrain

South Africa, for an adventure experience.
The Discovery was first introduced 23 years ago in 1989 and since its launch it has received over 200 international awards. The latest, Discovery 4, was launched in 2009 and is one of the most versatile and capable all-terrain vehicles in the world. In 2011, around 45 000 units sold across 170 global markets with 83 percent of volume exported.
With the 2012 model spec out and ready to be displayed as a personal acquisition the adventure experience for the journalists was a clear eye opener as to what exactly Land Rover means when they decide to impress and give you value for money.
The road trip was from a five-star resort Kloofzitch Lodge and Spa just outside Johannesburg, with a short detour at the Cradle of Mankind, a World Heritage Site in Maropeng to the private reserve where all the rough terrain handling was tested.
Through dongas and rivers the all new Discovery 4 manoeuvred with no hassles. The Discovery 4 design and equipment levels have been given a make over.
“Enhanced design and equipment levels, consolidate the Discovery 4’s position as the most capable and versatile all-purpose vehicle on and off the road today. The Discovery 4 is quite simply in a class of its own,” said John Edwards, Land Rover Global brand director.
The Disco 4 comes in the three trims namely the SDV6 S which is entry level, the SDV6 Se which is in the middle and of course the one which is highly speced the SDV6 HSE.
On the SE and the HSE for those who want more oomph and power, there is the V8 engine.
All versions of the three-litre diesel engine are equipped with the same parallel sequential turbo charging system. Throttle response is staggering with maximum torque available from only 2 000rpm. The three-litre diesel engine can significantly out perform its rivals by delivering 500Nm in only 500 milliseconds from idle. This means drivers have instantaneous access to 83 percent of maximum torque.
The three-litre diesel set new standards of refinement and fuel economy at 2010 model year with its third generation common rail fuel injection system.
Operating at 2 000 bar, the piezo injectors are designed to minimise noise while optimising combustion.
The system operates in “metering mode” supplying just the right amount of fuel to the injectors rather than returning it to the tank and wasting pumping energy in the process.
The astonishing 5 LR-V8 naturally aspirated engine, designed specifically with Land Rover vehicles in mind, remains in the Discovery 4 line-up unchanged for the 2012 model year.
The 5.0 LR-V8 produces 276kW and 510Nm. One of the secrets of the V8’s performance is the centrally-mounted, multi-hole, spray-guided fuel injection system delivering fuel at a pressure of up to 2175psi (150bar) directly to each cylinder. The injectors are positioned to deliver fuel precisely to the centre of the combustion chamber for maximum air-fuel mixing and accurate combustion control.
The charge cooling effects of the direct injection system allow a high compression ratio of 11.5:1 which further improves engine efficiency.
During the engine warm-up phase, the combustion system employs multiple injection mode strategies to deliver 50 percent more heat for fast catalyst warm-up and substantially reduced emissions.
When it comes to off-road ability, Land Rover vehicles are acknowledged as setting the standards for others to follow with its acclaimed Terrain Response system. For 2011, two additional functions were added, Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control.
Hill Start Assist retains the initial driver-generated brake pressure long enough for the foot to move from brake pedal to throttle without the car rolling backwards. The brake is released after a sufficient time has elapsed or when the engine is supplying enough torque to move the car up the hill. Hill Start Assist is always available, not selectable, and neither is its operation indicated to the driver.
Gradient Acceleration Controls designed to provide safety cover on severe gradients when the driver does not have Hill Descent Control engaged.
By pressurising the brake system, Gradient Acceleration Control slows the car to a limit determined by the throttle position when the car is descending the slope in the driver’s intended direction of travel. This includes descending the slope forwards in drive, or rearwards in reverse.
Otherwise (such as descending while facing up the gradient with Drive selected) Gradient Acceleration Control restricts speed to 5km/h (3,1mph) for up to 20 seconds, allowing the driver to regain proper control.
“These advanced all-terrain functions have proven themselves to be world class since their introduction last year. That we got to test and experience.
Discovery 4 audio systems have been rationalised and improved for 2012 and the electrical architecture upgraded to the latest Gen 2.1. A new entry level eight-speaker system with colour display replaces the previous system with black and white display. The entry-level system also has options for Bluetooth, and USB/iPod connectivity. The Hi-ICE harman/kardon System has been upgraded from 9-speakers to 11-speakers and the output boosted from 240W to a substantial 380W.
The Premium harman/kardon LOGIC 7 system has seen the most dramatic improvement, from 14 to 17 speakers and an almost unbelievable increase in output power from 480W to a staggering 825W.
To celebrate the one-millionth Land Rover Discovery being built in the UK, a £1 million fund-raiser has been launched. The appeal is in aid of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, a Land Rover Global Humanitarian Partner.
The capability and versatility of the one-millionth Discovery vehicle will be well and truly tested to the limits during the course of this expedition — a gruelling 50-day, 8 000 mile journey from Solihull, Birmingham, to Beijing, China.
The expedition ends up at the Beijing Auto Show on April 23. The funds raised will be donated to a water sanitation project in Uganda to help over 45 000 beneficiaries.
The expedition crew comprises of Land Rover Experience expedition experts and the convoy consists of three Discovery 4 vehicles in full expedition trim.
The expedition route passes through the following countries: UK, France, Switzerland, Italy, Hungary, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and ending in China.