Land Rover DISCOVERY 4.4-LITRE V8
These days, big 4x4s with big petrol engines come with a fair bit of baggage and were not talking boot size. Yes, they do display an appetite for fuel akin to the one Elvis once reserved for double cheeseburgers and, sure, they do pump out carbon dioxide in quantities that youd more readily associate with a medium-sized metal foundry but many buyers still wont settle for anything less. Whatever your view concerning the political correctness or otherwise of these Chelsea chariots from the upper echelons of the 4x4 sector, its hard to dispute the assertion that Land Rovers Discovery 4.4-litre V8 is up amongst the best of the breed.
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4 V8 will be a niche choice favoured by people who covet the smooth, surging power that only a big petrol unit can deliver and have deep enough pockets to keep it juiced up. Tickle the throttle pedal of a Discovery V8 and after a brief delay, it soon becomes apparent that smooth surging power is firmly on the agenda. This 32-valve, double overhead camshaft engine produces 295bhp at 5,500rpm and 425Nm or torque at 4,000rpm. Its a unit that had already seen service in various Jaguar models before being installed into the Discovery.
Having said that, Jag buyers had to make do with a 4.2-litre capacity and the bored-out 4.4-litre version in the Land Rover has received a number of specialist modifications. Water-proofing, dust protection and oil circulation have all been augmented to ensure that the engine can handle the kind of serious offroad usage for which the Discovery has been designed.
The oil capacity, for example, is increased from 6.8 litres in the Jaguar version to 8.6 litres to ensure that the supply is not interrupted, even in some of the extreme situations that a Discovery is capable of getting itself into (and out of). The engine is very compact for a V8 unit and its largely aluminium construction helps to keep weight down.
Overall, its an impressively engineered unit, well capable of powering the Discovery up hill and down dale but all the positive attributes must still be viewed in context of the V8s sobering 18.8mpg average fuel consumption and 354g/km CO2 emissions.
"Overall, its an impressively engineered unit, well capable of powering the Discovery up hill and down dale"
The 4.4-litre V8 engine is offered exclusively in conjunction with Land Rovers ZF six-speed automatic transmission system, which is a real piece of work. The automatic shifts have a studied fluency about them but if you prefer to make the most of the V8s gargantuan output, theres a Sport mode which holds the ratios a shade longer and sharpens up the throttle response. The Command Shift mode is another option for drivers who like to get involved.
Select it and you gain full manual control of the shifting process, although your inputs can be overridden in the high range setting to prevent stalling or over-revving of the engine. The ZF system also utilises a kind of artificial intelligence to analyse road conditions and learn your driving style, adapting its performance accordingly. Land Rover claim its one of the most advanced automatic transmissions in the world and driving it, you can believe them. Even beyond all the technological tomfoolery contained within that gearbox, the Discovery is packed with clever electronic systems most of the cleverest being devoted to enhancing the vehicles offroad performance.
A two-speed transfer box is activated electronically to switch between high range and low range gearing. The controls for this and other traction giving gadgets are located on a small console behind the gear lever. The whole system is called Terrain Response and it offers no fewer than five different settings selected by the twist of a dial. There are specific modes for slippery conditions, driving on sand, traversing rocks and coping with excessive mud, so drivers may want to jump out and take a quick soil sample before deciding which setting to run with.
There are three separate differentials mounted directly onto the Discoverys chassis for improved ground clearance, these can be individually locked out to further aid traction. The designers of the previous generation Discovery managed to perform the neat trick of endowing a vehicle with a huge mass and a substantial footprint with a strangely pokey interior. It was a little like the Tardis in reverse. Fortunately, the current model is far better on this score.
Its bigger than the car it replaces with 345mm extra wheelbase to play with and this is reflected inside where occupant accommodation is far more generous. The Discoverys styling both inside and out is extremely distinctive. Land Rover badging notwithstanding, its difficult to conceive of anyone catching sight of the vehicle or sitting in its drivers seat without instantly recognising it as a land Rover. Outside, the lines are clean and unashamedly boxy.
Big square headlights as seen on the Range Rover, huge slab-sided doors and a grille that resembles a cattle grid all add to the effect. Only the asymmetrical tailgate breaks with the straight, regimented linage and the overriding impressions are ones of strength and solidity. Inside, the centre console is a more cluttered affaire than you get in a BMW X5 or even a Volvo XC90. Round knobs and square buttons vie for space with displays, ashtrays and cup holders.
The quality of the fixtures and fittings is very impressive, however, and materials seem to have been chosen for their durability as well as their aesthetic qualities. The driving position is typical Land Rover high and commanding but comfortable. Its a vehicle that you can eat up the motorway mileage in without any hardship. The V8 Discovery models will appeal to a very specific type of buyer.
Theyll be able to stomach the fuel bills (perhaps because someone else is paying them) and theyll value the effortless power and cruising prowess that a big petrol powerplant affords. Most people will undoubtedly opt for the diesel alternative which is £6,000 cheaper and adds respectable economy to the Discoverys myriad of other attributes but sometimes theres no accounting for the lure of a V8.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Land Rover Discovery V8 range
PRICES: £37,995 -£46,995 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 14-16
CO2 EMISSIONS: 354g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 106mph / 0-60mph 10.9s [est]
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 13.5mpg / (extra urban) 24.3mpg / (combined) 18.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver's airbag, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4835/1915/1891
