Vehicle Tests > Tow Test: Part 1 - Large Wagons

The diesel Disco's gearshifts were silky smooth, almost imperceptible at part throttle, and the +/- shift gives easy access to effective engine braking. Manual manipulation of the lever is often not required as the transmission changes back to maintain - or arrest - speed when travelling downhill on a trailing throttle.

The long-travel brake pedal provides excellent feel and modulation when the anchor needs dropping. Pedal smashed and ABS banging away, the Disco split the nose lightening (evident in the Patrol) and dive (á la Cruiser). In fact, it seems the only time the chassis ever comes close to misbehaving is when a front wheel strikes a pothole under brakes - the result is a belt through the forearms. Even on broken-edged or truck-damaged bitumen, only fingertips and wrists are required to converse with the talkative steering.

At low revs, the 4.4-litre petrol V8 delivers a beautiful woofle - it sounds good lugging around the suburbs - that crests at a muted bellow when being worked. Probably because there's another few thousand revs to play with, the gearbox feels even better behind the V8 and allows the engine to reach over 6000rpm, giving it plenty of whack into the next gear. That's fun in a road car and also important in a vehicle that is shifting big mass.

read on below advertisement



The petrol ran 0-60 in nine seconds flat and 80-100 in around 10 secs, with a gear change at about 98kph blurring the result. It also does it in around half a kilometre of road - give or take; but you can see where you will be doing 100 from where you are at 80 - very handy when those 'Left lane ends 500m' signs appear.

Slowing down, the engine braking from the V8 is more accessible - thanks to a greater rev range - and even more authoritative than the diesel with first gear available at not much more than 40 kays an hour. With the variable intake system bits and the super-smart six-cog transmission working together, the Disco's speed can be increasing yet the revs of the engine dropping on a steady throttle up 40-70kph hills.

Low speed maneuverability of the Disco is also class-leading - actually it's in another orbit - with jerk-free throttle and steering lock capable of almost pointing the front of the Disco sideways.

The verdict
From the intelligence of its removable tow bar to its relaxed freeway cruising to exemplary rough-road behaviour - once the rig is set up right - both Discos stood hat, head, shoulders and chest above any other vehicle on test. The 4.4-litre petrol V8 was quicker than the two Japanese biggies and would possibly use less fuel when driven more gently. But the Disco diesel almost matched the Toyota and Nissan petrols for grunt - and their diesels for frugality - with far better towing ability. Combine that with a cavernous and versatile interior and the diesel Disco - here we go again - stacks up as the best on the planet.

next page »

 

« go back