Thread: Disappointed in the D5 / waiting for the Defender

Originally Posted by veebs

Which is important - need to cater for the market that pays the bills. It just ****es me off that it came at the cost of the market i'm in. The city based asphalt dwellers now get a choice of pretty much every model - as far as i'm concerned they are all the same in appearance, only the size (and price) varies. Talk about reinforcing the "Chelsea Tractor" stereotype!

In the past:
Range Rover - The ultimate machine, spacious, capable
RRS - Super Capable, Luxury
RRE - City Dweller that wants the LR prestige
Discovery - Tow Tug, Super Capable, Rugged, Maximum Capacity (seats and/or cargo)
Defender - Extreme Bush Ready, no frills, traditional, mechanical

Now:
Range Rover - Big City Dweller capable of off road as long as you don't want anything beyond the stock vehicle. $$$
RRS - Medium City Dweller capable of off road
RRV - Medium City Dweller that wants retractable door handles
RRE - Small City Dweller
Discovery - Soccer Mom who needs low range, and has small sized people for the 3rd row
Disco Sport - Small City Dweller that can't justify paying for the RRE

That new Defender has an awfully wide market gap to plug - needs to cater for both the current offroad discovery crowd, as well as the defender fans. Someone will be disappointed, because it won't be mechanical AND computerised. Possibly could be air or coil sprung options, though I would think unlikely to be independent or live axle options.

I don't particularly like their cars, but I must admit Toyota seems to have a better grasp of what I think the market is in Australia: A big flagship (200 series), a smaller family-focused off roader (Prado) and a Bush machine (70 series), plus some other models designed to capture the bigger family, the soft roaders, etc.

I don't doubt I will eventually grow to like the D5, but it will never be the love at first sight I had with the D3/4.

You win the internet today. The new D5 looks generic and korean. Even if it was the worlds best 4wd it looks like i30. And for that reason I'll never buy one.

I fell in love with the D3 and finally bought one recently so we can go play off road, which we've started to do.. If I wanted a car, I'd buy an Alfa.. well, I also own an Alfa so I'm bias.. but a car is a car.. and a 4wd should be just that. a 4wd. Thee new SUV's are, in my view, ridiculous cars that really aren't very good at anything. I'm so disappointed that LR has gone down that path.

It's one thing to dislike the looks of the D5 (and I get where that's coming from, though for me the interior is uglier than the outside) but it's another to write it off as "soccer mom who needs low range".

The Discovery 5 is the most off-road-capable new LR you can buy today, provided you select the options for it. Low range, air suspension, rear diff locker plus all the computer management of torque and spin which has been proven to be a successful approach from the FL2 onwards.

I'm playing around with specs. Seems like a 5-seat SE with a few choice options might be a good starting point to replace the D4 as an Aussie explorer. The obvious question marks are spare wheels, second batteries, extra fuel, front bars and winches, underbody protection and sliders, and racks and ladders. Especially for those like me who aren't keen to tow things.

Willem – my DS does have some four wheel traction capability but man the clearance is a killer and there are some vulnerable spots underneath as I've learned the hard way. As sold it's definitely a "soft roader". Same for the Evoque if anybody would be inclined to take one off the bitumen.

Originally Posted by TB

It's one thing to dislike the looks of the D5 (and I get where that's coming from, though for me the interior is uglier than the outside) but it's another to write it off as "soccer mom who needs low range".

The Discovery 5 is the most off-road-capable new LR you can buy today, provided you select the options for it. Low range, air suspension, rear diff locker plus all the computer management of torque and spin which has been proven to be a successful approach from the FL2 onwards.

I'm playing around with specs. Seems like a 5-seat SE with a few choice options might be a good starting point to replace the D4 as an Aussie explorer. The obvious question marks are spare wheels, second batteries, extra fuel, front bars and winches, underbody protection and sliders, and racks and ladders. Especially for those like me who aren't keen to tow things.

Willem – my DS does have some four wheel traction capability but man the clearance is a killer and there are some vulnerable spots underneath as I've learned the hard way. As sold it's definitely a "soft roader". Same for the Evoque if anybody would be inclined to take one off the bitumen.

Mate I have to say this. Nothing beats wheels on the ground. Nothing. All the traction aids in the world are not going to help if there is limited travel. I don't know how much travel the D5 will have buy if it's less than the D4 it will be compromised. Cheers

Originally Posted by TB

It's one thing to dislike the looks of the D5 (and I get where that's coming from, though for me the interior is uglier than the outside) but it's another to write it off as "soccer mom who needs low range".

The Discovery 5 is the most off-road-capable new LR you can buy today, provided you select the options for it. Low range, air suspension, rear diff locker plus all the computer management of torque and spin which has been proven to be a successful approach from the FL2 onwards.

I'm playing around with specs. Seems like a 5-seat SE with a few choice options might be a good starting point to replace the D4 as an Aussie explorer. The obvious question marks are spare wheels, second batteries, extra fuel, front bars and winches, underbody protection and sliders, and racks and ladders. Especially for those like me who aren't keen to tow things.

Yes, you're right in that the soccer mom comment is a bit harsh for what is no question a very capable vehicle, though I'm not convinced the D5 matches the D4 as a tourer. I should also point out I mean no disrespect to anyone who DOES love the D5, and is planning to (or already does) own one.
The extra few degrees of offroad angle capability, wading depth etc don't outweigh the already discussed drawbacks. Things like phone apps to change seating configuration is just silly.

The fact that you need to spec it up in order for it to compete with the most basic of it's predecessor doesn't smell right either, though I will concede that could equally be because it offers a less expensive alternative to the previous entry model.

Someone just said that independent suspension in the LR'S is better than any live axle 4wd. Is this is regards to on road and track use or are you simply taking the p*ss in regards to off road?
HD vehicle applications run live axels for various reasons. Not so good on road but can't be beaten of it!
Now I sit and wait for the bait to be taken 😒.....

Screen Shot 2017-07-13 at 7.59.40 pm.jpg
284mm axle clearance is pretty great. The ramp angle isn't as good as the D4 though if I'm reading the old specs correctly.

I also found a claim of "19.7-inches of wheel articulation" – that's 500mm up and down. Enough for you?

314mm of axel clearance and 47 degree approach and departure angles are pretty good.
Let's not forget a greater payload, 150kg roof weight rating, and most importantly:

BIG TYRES.....4WD TYRES.

Please note block letters used emphasise big tyres

Originally Posted by 1nando

314mm of axel clearance and 47 degree approach and departure angles are pretty good.
Let's not forget a greater payload, 150kg roof weight rating, and most importantly:

Which vehicle is that, out of interest?

Oh and sorry, did you say something about pliers?