Wednesday 27th March 2002

New Discovery

Land Rover tart up the Discovery with new lights and stuff

---

[thom]

It looks quite good...Nice wheels, nice lights...

[Imelda]

I bet it still can't accelerate properly, brake properly or corner properly. I bet they will still be seen mainly bumping up the kerbs outside schools and supermarkets. Ban them from the roads. They're dangerous!

[thom]

quote:
Ban them from the roads. They're dangerous!

No they're not; it's the drivers who are dangerous...

>> Edited by thom on Wednesday 27th March 16:17

[steve harrison]

I think that's the wrong photo. Isn't that the old one?

[Imelda]

Have to disagree Thom,

Braking distances and stability in emergency situations are notoriously poor on these types of vehicles. They are also very big and heavy. So not only is it more likely to hit something, but when it does, it will hit it harder and cause more damage.

[thom]

Are you sure?

[ErnestM]

Not only that, but the center of gravity on all of these vehicle is decidedly high. Tipping one over at high speed is not a matter of if, it's a matter of when...

I think that there should be a special driving test in all countries where you have to show up IN your SUV and take the test. Then you have to explain WHY you need one. Acceptable reasons could include:

1) I am a member of the SAS and I need it for work
2) I am planning on overthrowing Castro
3) My trip to work takes me through Beruit
4) I am a licensed soldier of fortune

Also the following should be excluded from use:

1) Mums with one or more kids aged 0-17
2) Mums
3) Anyone living in a city with Population greater than 10,000
4) Any SINGLE people
5) Anyone that attends monster truck rallies or (in the US) watches the WWF

IMHO

ErnestM

[thom]

[JSG]

I got the low down on these changes from my local dealer whilst dropping off my wife's Defender to have the latest hatchback removed from the bull bars.

Translation in text;

The latest Land Rover Discovery features a new look, echoing the new Range Rover,
Square, with four wheels - van like

..and a number of technical enhancements.
built in stabilisers that appear from the sills at speed (as Boxter spoiler) when cornering. Currently set to activate at 10mph

The most obvious change is the new headlamp design which improves the lighting as well as providing the new look.
err.. which is the new one again

There are also visual changes at the rear with improved rear lights, the indicators having been relocated higher up.
Now 3.4 metres above ground level - good for traffic behind you, but not to be used close to airfields

New roof bars....
Have a drink whilst you drive, oops

Prepare to be blinded by the numpty-lights in the front bumper
If you're sitting upstairs in a double decker bus

The new Discovery also features a number of braking and chassis improvements.
The anchor now has a kinetic rope as the chain had been blamed for whiplash injuries (common amongst MPs). Chassis has had the central UJs welded up

The front and rear disc brakes have been fitted with revised pads and callipers while the suspension has revised locations to improve refinement.
Yes, we've now put the suspension UNDER the car

>> Edited by JSG (moderator) on Wednesday 27th March 22:15

[ErnestM]

quote:
...whilst dropping off my wife's Defender to have the latest hatchback removed from the bull bars.

Classic!
ErnestM

[kevinday]

Having owned three Range Rovers (and before anybody flames me I drive off-road nearly everyday, and not just onto a pavement) I have to disagree. The Range Rover may have a lot of body roll but it does corner exceptionally well, permanent 4wd does help. The brakes are also as good as most family saloons. Providing you do not try to drive it like a sports car there should be no problems. When changing from the R/R to my sports car my driving style would change, the R/R is a relaxing cruiser and I felt no urge to drive fast. Discoveries are not quite as good in my opinion but still a lot better than the Japanese/American versions of SUVs.

[ErnestM]

Kevinday...

I think under my special license provision, we could also make it acceptable for SUV use if you live in a country that has only 43% of it's roads paved...


Cheers
ErnestM

[superflid]

"I can drive a race car on the road" but "Ban off-roaders" attitude seems a little strange. I agree completely about schools and shop car parks being full of these things, but does anyone dare suggest special testing or proof of need for a high power sports car?
Yes, I used to drive a Range Rover, yes-off-road (and to tow my caravan HeHeHeHe) stopped off-roading, sold caravan, sold Range Rover.
(Don flame-proof clothing, sit well back from monitor, brace yourself)

[Fatboy]

superflid - The point with off-roaders is they are inherently dangerous in that they perform very poorly on the roads, and cause extreme amounts of damage to any normal car they hit (much more so than a standard car would as they are high up therefore hit the normal car outside it's crumple zones) wheras a 'road legal race car' tends to be just as safe towards other cars (or pedestrians) as a standard car. (Plus they handle better therefore you can get out of the way of an accident even better than in a standard car)

JSG LOL

ErnestM Definately, must implement those immediately

[plotloss]

I've got to say that I dont think that there is anything wrong with any 4x4 (well maybe Suzuki things) and the Discovery, with the exception of its big brother, sits at the top of the pile.

Yes they are heavier and consequently carry more kinetic energy and yes most of them end up as Chelsea Tractors but they are comfortable cars that serve a purpose (even though most owners dont have a reason to own one). However, if I was in a position to be able to spend around £100K - £120K on two cars wild dogs wouldnt stop me buying a Cerbera LW RR and a Range Rover!!

Matt.

[smeagol]

Superflid, Fatboy is exactly right its a loophole in the law that is DANGEROUS to other road users. They have banned hood ornaments (quite rightly) for the safety reasons, but SUVs are perfectly okay to drive on the roads its the typical "money talks" from car companies.

SUVs are FARM VEHICLES, they are designed as work-horses NOT to drop little kiddies off to school by incompetant drivers that think its perfectly ok to stop where the they like, blocking pavements and obscuring views for every other driver trying to drive sensibly. The b@st@rds think its perfectly okay to drive around with their fog lights on at eye level, and have the belief that their "car" can handle and brake as well as an Ordinary car, B*ll*cks, how can a 2 ton hump of metal with the same brakes stop as well as a 1 ton family car. To add insult to injury they also believe that they are perfectly safe in their "tank", wrong, the trucks are fitted with no crumple zones and are top heavy on tight bends.

At the very least each SUV driver should undergo a test EACH year to prove that they can drive on the roads safely and IMHO show that the car is used for its intended purpose (ie off the road) for more than 50% of the time.

If you think this rant is over the top then may I point out that on several occasions I have found these heaps on the wrong side of the road with full beam and fog lights on coming towards me on country roads.

My car HAS to comply with the law, If I build a car it has to comply to the SVA so why are SUVs exempt! Time for a law change.

[plotloss]

Perhaps they should all come with a book and a video. The book would be 'Elementary Physics' and the vid could show scenes of what happens when a Ford Excursion or Range Rover hits something like a Griff or a Mini (I've seen the latter and its not pretty). That should slow 'em down a bit. But then, saying that, I am crediting these people with the ability to read, operate a video recorder and rational thought.

Matt.

[ErnestM]

quote:
...I am crediting these people with the ability to read, operate a video recorder and rational thought.

It's the rational thought thing that is the big worry. Rationally, there are instances were an SUV would come in handy (documented in prior posts). However, there is no reason whatsoever for a city dwelling, flik (see Ted's Rant) carrying, nervous driving, rear view mirror for makeup using, cell phone in traffic talking, mum on a school run to own a vehicle big enough to qualify for it's own time zone. It's unsafe. Plain and simple.

You have to have special certification for motorcycles because of unique characteristics. The same should be true for SUV's. At least on a motorcycle if you mess up you usually only harm yourself. These land yachts can immolate an entire city block when they go wrong. They are ticking numpty time bombs... (all IMHO of course )

ErnestM

>> Edited by ErnestM on Thursday 28th March 13:33

[hertsbiker]

quote:
At the very least each SUV driver should undergo a test EACH year to prove that they can drive on the roads safely and IMHO show that the car is used for its intended purpose (ie off the road) for more than 50% of the time.

I think that you are on dangerous ground, even though your idea is sound in principal.

As soon as the gov starts implementing rules for minorities, you begin the slippery path to your own downfall.. think about it, bring this rule in for 4x4's, and soon there will be a law requiring YOU to have a special test to prove you can handle your powerful sports car / bike. EVERY year.

So don't immediately jump to attack other groups of road user !!!!

rgds, Carl

[ErnestM]

quote:
think about it, bring this rule in for 4x4's, and soon there will be a law requiring YOU to have a special test to prove you can handle your powerful sports car / bike. EVERY year.

So don't immediately jump to attack other groups of road user !!!!

rgds, Carl

I agree about the every year thing. However, maybe an initial certification test for the vehicle would be the solution. I would have no problem showing up at a testing center with the Esprit. Might be quite fun in fact. Wouldn't want to do it every year, but initialy would be no problem. Might even help keep some of the folks who shouldn't be driving certain vehicle types (of any kind) off the road...

I don't know. There is a solution here somewhere, and I think with the greatest road-going minds on at least two continents posting on this forum, we could find it

ErnestM