Vehicle Tests > Tow Test: Part 1 - Large Wagons

The Disco's centre and third row seats - plenty of room in the middle, and out back's not bad either - split and fold flat and low for combination of seating positions, with a large flat load area in front of the upper and lower split tailgate. In most respects, the interior is 'best practice' but the comprehensive equipment list (including leading-edge secondary safety) comes at a cost - the Discos weigh in excess of 2350kg.

The Disco's towing hardware is an integral part of its design. Rather than being permanently fixed (or requiring tools to remove), the neck slides into a socket in the chassis behind a removable plastic panel in the rear bumper. It's very clever, and being quick release there's no compromise with the departure angle. The trailer harness plugs - there's two, also behind the removable panel - are Euro-style round units that require an adapter for Aussie flat plugs. No biggie. Land Rover rates the Discovery to 3500kg.

The Hayman Reece hitch used for this test required a few minutes work with a grinder to fit the Disco, something to remember with new or borrowed hardware. The rear parking sensors seemed smart enough to work around the hitch and the mirrors dip when in reverse gear; a pain in the arse with a van or boat. Like the Patrol, the mirrors aren't quite large enough to allow complete vision of the van without craning your neck.

read on below advertisement



The performance
The diesel Disco was the first tested and immediately scored a big gold star due to the electric handbrake's ability to be 'driven over', eliminating any chance of rollback on steep starts. Typically diesel it was lazy out of the hole but after maybe one car length and 6kph the Disco oiler really gets on with the task at hand.

Evident within the first few kilometres was a quiet, cushion-soft ride and steering that offers the usually conflicting qualities of light control and plenty of feel. Unfortunately, also evident was a nervous gait that had me dropping the nose of the van just six kays up the road. With the hitch dropped two holes, it still wagged during another dozen kilometres of freeway; I lifted the chains one link each side.

Whoa, it made a hell of a difference. No more wiggle. It seems the Disco - due, no doubt, to its auto-levelling suspension - is very sensitive to ride height and load-distributing chain tension. Sorted, 100kph cruising was a doddle and it was difficult not to creep up to 110 where the Disco diesel, in fact, felt happier.

From a standing start, the diesel whistled to 60kph in 11 seconds. It rattled off 80-100 in 12 - some two seconds quicker than (and around 50m ahead of) the petrol Patrol. Thanks to lightening-quick powertrain response, it was also the most consistent sprinter with hardly a tenth between the hand-timed runs. It also carried a higher speed uphill - no drop from 100kph - than the Cruiser and Patrol. After whipping the Japanese biggies, I had to remind myself, this is the diesel...

next page »

 

« go back