Thoughts on the new 2015 Discovery

[TerryO]

Just watched for the first time the concept videos of the new 2015 Discovery with suicide doors and what looks like seats that fold down but not to a flat surface.

Just wondered what everyone else thinks of it, if indeed it ends up in that configuration?

My thoughts are if it ends up even half as flash as those videos show then late model D4's arse will fall out of them price wise, not so bad on older D4's and D3's as they have depreciated, especially D3's, quite a bit already.

Thoughts?

[Fred Nerk]

Do you have a link to the video that you saw?

[TerryO]

Here you go Fred.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=icKF-YYpxeM

There are quite a few other different video clips that can be found, including the launch in NY.

[Fred Nerk]

First impression, looks more like an Evoque with a Vogue influence. Perhaps too "nice" to take properly off road.

Mods will be difficult. No sliders, no rear wheel carriers as I expect the door sills and rear platform will prove impossible to accommodate.

I like the doors. I really will need to find out more about the off road abilities. On road, I'm sure it will be excellent.

[RHS58]

Evolutionary design, Discovery and RRS cues.
Sporty.
Might be very tough indeed to set it up with bullbar, sliders, extra fuel tank, rear wheel carrier, etc.
Will probably improve the resale for late model D4's for those LR tragics wanting the ability to accessorise for off roading.

[gghaggis]

From what I've heard, the baby Disco (the "Sport") is touted for a 2015 release in the UK, but the full-size Disco is late 2016 or 2017.

Cheers,

Gordon

[TerryO]

RHS58, In comparison to the thousands of D4's that have been sold in Australia there are only a few handfuls of LR tragic's out there that really mod their Disco's up for off roading, for most a different brand of tyres and a set of side steps is way out there.

[sniegy]

Love it.
The money being poured into these new models for LR (also in some part for Jag) is enormous. The owners (TATA) want these new vehicles to be a "Wanted" item for new prospective customers. That is what we are seeing.
I see LR doing what they have been doing for years. Always the first to come out with new technology & then watch the others follow.

Bring it on & lets see these wonderful vehicles stay at the top.:p

[scarry]

Love it.
The money being poured into these new models for LR (also in some part for Jag) is enormous. The owners (TATA) want these new vehicles to be a "Wanted" item for new prospective customers. That is what we are seeing.
I see LR doing what they have been doing for years. Always the first to come out with new technology & then watch the others follow.

Bring it on & lets see these wonderful vehicles stay at the top.:p

Hope they sort out the biggest complaints of the existing(D4) models,tyre sizes and fuel tank size.

That should keep the knockers at bay....:D

[Marmoset]

It's growing on me and that's the point of concept vehicles, to convey a new design language/style and condition the market before the vehicle goes on sale.

I love some of the new tech in it, the "see through" bonnet being a good example of thinking outside the box.

One thing the detractors of such bold moves always fail to appreciate is the fact that LR nearly died in the 80's as a result of woeful underinvestment and stagnant products being offered for sale as the competitors brought out new model after new model.

As Sniegy says, it's good to see the investment happening on the scale it is.

[LandyAndy]

Any chance of a V8 diesel????
About to watch the clip;);););)
Andrew

[WhiteD3]

Whinge?

I think the D5(?) will be too late in coming. I have a 2011 D4 and want to upgrade to the "new" vehicle in 2015. I have to wait until 2017 maybe? That'll make the D4 era what, 8 years?

Looks like a Disco Sport in the interim...........

[Marmoset]

Some of us don't buy them until they're 8 years old, so the longer the model cycle the better, we look current for a year or two then :D

[LandyAndy]

Some of us don't buy them until they're 8 years old, so the longer the model cycle the better, we look current for a year or two then :D
Thats how I emigrated from a Series 3 van to a D2;););););)
Andrew

[LandyAndy]

Did some Ford Territory sperm make it into the design room????
Andrew

[SimmAus]

It's growing on me and that's the point of concept vehicles, to convey a new design language/style and condition the market before the vehicle goes on sale. I love some of the new tech in it, the "see through" bonnet being a good example of thinking outside the box. is.

I must also admit, it's growing on me.....love some of features, cringe at others (but maybe time will convince me that those doors and tailgate will all be fine)...any way a few more years to wait.

[incisor]

looks like the love child of a match between an fj cruiser and an evogue

a bitch to fit extras to... maybe that explains the aftermarket accessories "mood" change...

[TerryO]

It will be interesting to see the new Defender, chances are if I like it then I bet the current diehard Fender brigade will hate it. That on its own will gives me some sort of perverse pleasure. ... ;)

[incisor]

some sort of perverse pleasure. ... ;)
seems to be a growing tendency :p

[rar110]

It will be interesting to see the new Defender, chances are if I like it then I bet the current diehard Fender brigade will hate it. That on its own will gives me some sort of perverse pleasure. ... ;)

I'm betting the TDV6 2.7 (or 3.0 if dropped from discovery range) with 6 speed auto will find its way into the new defender.

[TerryO]

seems to be a growing tendency :p


Yep! ...:twisted:

[BSM]

I can't imagine that extending sill/step will work so well after sliding across a rock.

[Scary]

the new model cycle will work out perfectly for me - just bought a brand new '14 model.

With the new one not due for 2.5 years - never buy in the 1st 2-3 years of a new model cycle that puts the current one at 5-6 years old before replacement

[LandyAndy]

They should save all them fancy fold out steps etc for the Rangie,D4 looks much nicer.
Andrew

[goingbush]

Interesting to note that People who bagged the FJ Cruiser and its Suicide Doors love this .

[Redback]

Well there goes taking offroad or remote:twisted:

Baz.

[WhiteD3]

I think we'll find that all the fancy stuff will be options, if available at all. They float it out there for comment and feedback.......and marketing. Get's us die-hards talking.

[Redback]

I think we'll find that all the fancy stuff will be options, if available at all. They float it out there for comment and feedback.......and marketing. Get's us die-hards talking.

You can only hope, cause after a couple of thousands Ks of outback dusty roads, those slide out thingy's are not going to work, or worse will come out but not back in.

Hello, LR Assist,

Yes,

I'm stuck out here near Oodnadatta, it pouring rain and the side step thingys won't retract and I can't close the doors and car won't start.

Where's that, what's the nearest suburb or cross street?

Oodnadatta...................


Baz:no2:

[ozscott]

It is entirely possible that LR will soften Discovery's offroad ability and point us to the new Defender for more thAN graded, corrugated trAcks...we know they are going that way with 19 and 20 inch wheels, but sliding sills is going further down the bitumen road again...hang onto those d3/4's lads.

Cheers



Cheers

[Geedublya]

I agree, the new full size Disco will probably be similar to the RRS. ie monocoque, aluminium with low range being an option and lots of electronics.
The new Defender will be for off road use however it will probably come with a 2-2.5l 4 cylinder Diesel making less than 150kw and 450nm.
I guess we will see in the next 5 years.

[Dougal]

I'm betting the TDV6 2.7 (or 3.0 if dropped from discovery range) with 6 speed auto will find its way into the new defender.

I can't see the defender getting more than 4 cylinders. Fewer cylinders mean less internal friction and better fuel economy. It's also a cheaper engine with a lower parts count and easier to fit.

Remember JLR are developing their own diesels now. They won't be paying PSA/Ford for much longer.

I would think deploying side-steps would make it easier to fit sliders. Not harder. Remove the moving parts and you'll not only have heaps of space, but some good hard mounting points too.

[TerryO]

One good thing is if the new Disco comes with sliding side steps then removing them and adding proper rock sliders wont increase the weight of the vehicle and reduce the carrying capacity as much as happens now when you fit sliders.

Having said that so far from what is being released the new Disco doesn't look like a serious off road option, time will tell.

[Celtoid]

It is entirely possible that LR will soften Discovery's offroad ability and point us to the new Defender for more thAN graded, corrugated trAcks...we know they are going that way with 19 and 20 inch wheels, but sliding sills is going further down the bitumen road again...hang onto those d3/4's lads.

Cheers



Cheers

I'm thinking along those lines too. That there could be a shift in demographic for the sales of these vehicles.

More people (new people to the LR Brand) will buy the more luxurious Disco cause it looks better and is better on the road than any competitor yet not as Exy as a RR.

The people who currently look at using D4s for off-road use ... and I think that is growing, based on the increasing numbers I've seen turn up on Moreton Island just in the last twelve months..... would go for a new Defender if it came in a guise that was more luxurious, towed better and better on the road generally. In other words, if you had different spec levels including a more Lux version.

Maybe.

[scarry]

But what they also really need is a base family wagon,to compete with say a LC/Prado GX or GXL.

Suppose we will all have to wait and see......

[Homestar]

Did some Ford Territory sperm make it into the design room????
Andrew

That was my first thought. From any angle but the front, it looks like a Territory - yuck. From the front it looks like an Evoque - yuck.

So, in a nutshell - double yuck.

[Dougal]

That was my first thought. From any angle but the front, it looks like a Territory - yuck. From the front it looks like an Evoque - yuck.

So, in a nutshell - double yuck.

Somedays I think McGovern wants to make everything look like his original baby the freelander.

[bilbobaggins]

Hi there


While a few are expecting the landrover to lose its off road prowess. I expect the opposite... The new Range rover and range rover sport while similar in design, that being aluminium frame, have better articulation, better ground clearance and lighter weight than the disco 4..... They share an even better terrain response system.... I've seen a video of the new Range rover off road.... Very impressive.....even the wading depth is better.... I doubt very much the new disco will be any less capable.... So I assume if all being well it will be very capable. My only concern is how strong will it be? Longevity? The current disco 4 is a tank ladder frame chassis plus monocoque. Obviously the strength comes at a price being the weight. Landrover claims their new chassis design is very sound.... Time will tell.... Now how many people have had reliability issues with the discovery 4. I personally have had none... The R&D is obviously improving however only time will tell....

If they continue along the same design philosophy they will hopefully be reliable. Fingers crossed. I think the discovery will be more capable off road... It's just I wonder how reliable it will be.

One thing I noticed is the shorter windows. I love the airy feel of the disco 4. The high waistline trick used in Japanese cars is less appealing to me. When I've had passengers in my disco all comment about the class leading view and airiness. They love it. I think maybe the new disco will be lacking in that department. I can only assume cause I haven't sat in it.

Obviously these comments are just my opinion. Who can really know???

[Dougal]

Hi there


While a few are expecting the landrover to lose its off road prowess. I expect the opposite... The new Range rover and range rover sport while similar in design, that being aluminium frame, have better articulation, better ground clearance and lighter weight than the disco 4..... They share an even better terrain response system.... I've seen a video of the new Range rover off road.... Very impressive.....even the wading depth is better.... I doubt very much the new disco will be any less capable.... So I assume if all being well it will be very capable. My only concern is how strong will it be? Longevity? The current disco 4 is a tank ladder frame chassis plus monocoque. Obviously the strength comes at a price being the weight. Landrover claims their new chassis design is very sound.... Time will tell.... Now how many people have had reliability issues with the discovery 4. I personally have had none... The R&D is obviously improving however only time will tell....

If they continue along the same design philosophy they will hopefully be reliable. Fingers crossed. I think the discovery will be more capable off road... It's just I wonder how reliable it will be.

One thing I noticed is the shorter windows. I love the airy feel of the disco 4. The high waistline trick used in Japanese cars is less appealing to me. When I've had passengers in my disco all comment about the class leading view and airiness. They love it. I think maybe the new disco will be lacking in that department. I can only assume cause I haven't sat in it.

Obviously these comments are just my opinion. Who can really know???

I think so too. The whole hand-wringing over new models off-road prowess has likely been going on since the series 2 arrived.
Then those coil springs. Oh no, they'll never carry load.
Computers. Help!
etc etc.

[phl]

My only concern is how strong will it be? Longevity? The current disco 4 is a tank ladder frame chassis plus monocoque. Obviously the strength comes at a price being the weight. Landrover claims their new chassis design is very sound....

Monocoque in a 4x4 is nothing new; the Pajero has had it for over a decade now, and AFAIK none have failed due to the lack of a chassis.

Same for aluminium frame; they are not new, being used extensively in aeronautics, where failure is catastrophic.

[Dougal]

Monocoque in a 4x4 is nothing new; the Pajero has had it for over a decade now, and AFAIK none have failed due to the lack of a chassis.

Same for aluminium frame; they are not new, being used extensively in aeronautics, where failure is catastrophic.

Strange you'd use the Pajero instead of the L322 as an example of monocoque.

[jonesy63]

Number of Pajeros sold vs L322 would be a decent reason. :)

[Dougal]

Number of Pajeros sold vs L322 would be a decent reason. :)

Capable 4wd vs short travel car on stilts.

[phl]

Capable 4wd vs short travel car on stilts.

I was thinking more on the price difference as well...

[ozscott]

Dougal I know what your saying however you can see the writing on the wall. Pity but at least there is the new Defender.

Cheers

[catsman]

My favourite part at end of video when the doors close and crash into each other...