>So anyone who truly knows me, knows that I absolutely love Land Rover in general. Specifically I love their Discovery and LR3 models. I have had a toy replica of the Discovery since circa 2000 with the intent on purchasing one- one day. I had the chance to buy one in 2002, but conservatively chose to get a car…a 2003 Nissan Altima. Now don’t get me wrong I love my Altima, recalls, issues, and all; I simply wish I had strongly considered and attempted to get the Discovery when I had the chance. I have not given up hope though.
As the years have progressed so has Land Rover. They discontinued the Discovery and reinvented it by delivering the LR3 (and the LR2 which is a smaller version…I don’t like) which took me a moment or two but then…bam, I became enamored by its beauty, boldness, sleekness, and ability to still go off-roading. It seems that everywhere I turn there is a Discovery and LR3 around me, calling my name!
Now Land Rover decided to respond to the various consumer complaints concerning the plastic bumpers, overtaxed engine, confusing black buttons in the cabin, and the associated cost. The new LR4 has brought chills to my spine as I smile from ear to ear at the evolution that has taken place. Land Rover has turned the LR4 into something more comparable to its larger sibling, the Range Rover, but without the exorbitantly high sticker price, and some issues that I have noticed over the years.
The LR4 has a new 5.0-liter, 375-horsepower V8, which helps its weighty body overcome the laws of physics. Much like the Range Rover it has the sport grills on the front and side. They even improved the brakes, on-road handling and off-road Terrain Response system that offers five modes represented by pictographs in the center-console-mounted control knob — General Driving, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Sand, Mud and Ruts, and Rock Crawl — this system allows the driver to select the setting best suited to the driving conditions they face.
In treacherous low-speed downhill passes, Hill Descent Control takes over the braking duties (even in Reverse), making it possible for the LR4 to brake individual wheels as required, something a driver would have extreme difficulty doing. This bad boy even has an all-new touchscreen interface with a satellite radio and iPod interface.
What is truly amazing on top of all of this is the price. Comparably equipped to the Audi Q7, Toyota Land Cruiser and Mercedes GL450, the LR4 costs $8,000 less than an Audi Q7 4.2, $15,000 less than a Toyota Land Cruiser and $18,000 less than a Mercedes-Benz GL450. Yes, you read that right! It even offers more usable passenger space than all of them. No luxury SUV short of a Cadillac Escalade ESV or Lincoln Navigator L provides more spacious seven-passenger seating. Now performance-wise it doesn’t beat the Benz, and it hasn’t been able to beat the Land Cruiser for off-road handling, etc…but I’m okay with that. I’m not too cool with the idea of purchasing another 91-octane vehicle, especially since the fuel economy is still relatively low (at 13 mpg) but when you see what the LR4 has to offer- it would be worth it in my opinion!
Be sure to check out a picture at Edmonds.com or Landrover.com, or visit a local Land Rover dealership (I’ve included a link to one below in my list of sources) to see and experience the LR4 for yourself. I want to drive it…feel the difference between the LR4 and its older, retired, Discovery model. With money being an object I’d have to settle for the Discovery or an older LR3…but if money weren’t an object…I’d hop in a Black, White, or even a Purple (yes, they have a customized purple version) with no hesitation and drive, drive, drive it right into my garage…of course after a few hours of driving over curbs and stuff!
Here’s all of the specs as found on Edmonds.com website for you to check out:
Model Year: 2010
Make: Land Rover
Model: LR4
Style: V8 4dr SUV 4WD (5.0L 8cyl 6A)
Base Price: $47,250
Price as Tested: $54,760
Options on Test Vehicle: HSE Plus Package With Seven-Seat Comfort Package ($5,910 — includes rearview camera, front parking sensors, automatic headlights, automatic high beams, 50/50-split third-row seats, third-row curtain airbags, rear climate controls, hard-drive navigation system, Bluetooth, ambient interior lighting, HD Radio, satellite radio, heated front windshield, heated steering wheel, heated front and second-row seats, heated windshield washer jets); Heavy Duty Package ($750 — includes active locking rear differential and full-size spare tire with alloy wheel)
Drive Type: Four-wheel drive
Transmission Type: Six-speed automatic
Transmission and Axle Ratio: (x:1)I=4.17; II=2.34; III=1.52; IV=1.14; V=0.87; VI=0.69; R=3.4; Final=3.54; High=1.00; Low=2.93
Engine Type: V8
Displacement (cc / cu-in)4,999cc (305 cu-in)
Block/Head Material: Aluminum
Valve train: Double overhead camshaft
Compression Ratio: 11.5
Redline (rpm) 6,200
Horsepower (hp @ rpm) 375 @ 6,500
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) 375 @ 3,500
Brake Type (front) Ventilated disc
Brake Type (rear) Ventilated disc
Steering System: Power steering
Steering Ratio: Variable
Suspension Type (front) Double wishbone
Suspension Type (rear) Double wishbone
Tire Size (front) 255/55R19V M+S
Tire Size (rear) 255/55R19 V M+S
Tire Brand: Continental
Tire Model: 4×4 Contact
Tire Type: All-terrain
Wheel Size: 19-by-8 inches front and rear
Wheel Material (front/rear)Alloy
Manufacturer Curb Weight (lb) 5,833
Curb Weight As Tested (lb) 5,751
Weight Distribution, F/R (%) 49.1/50.9
Recommended Fuel Premium unleaded (required)
Fuel Tank Capacity (gal) 22.8
EPA Fuel Economy (mpg) 12 city/17 highway
Edmunds Observed (mpg) 13.05
Copyright 2010. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved.
Sources:
Edmonds http://www.edmonds.com
Land Rover Buckhead http://www.landroverbuckhead.com/Specials_new.aspx#Special19
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