Unsymmetrical cars - The new Discovery

[InitialDave]

Hackney said:

Talking of asymmetrical, wasn't there a period where Mercedes put different shaped door mirrors on each side?

Yeah, some VW Polos have that too.

The Jaguar XJ220 has the left and right mirror mounted in different places, presumable to make them usable with the right sightlines across from the driver's seat.

Mr2Mike said:

Yes, the LHD variants have the single door on the left side.

I agree that it doesn't look asymmetrical either, in fact it's not a bad looking car though they were only available in the UK for 3 years so guess not many were sold.

I can see it as a sort of clever idea, but the extra cost of separate pressings etc for both sides depending on market must have been a hard sell for someone in a meeting.

I think it was the AMC Pacer that made one door longer than the other, wasn't it?

Edited by InitialDave on Wednesday 28th June 12:27

[Sheets Tabuer]

[NomduJour]

Insert Coin said:

In my opinion, a square plate on the back and it would look fine, but unfortunately that number plate recess is rectangular and a square plate won't actually fit.

My thoughts exactly. A bit of asymmetry adds interest.

[NomduJour]

Big GT said:

I'm assuming the 300Kg weight saving over the LR4 is that the body is now monocoque. Whereas before it was ladder and monocoque frame so you could tow and carry real loads.

So now not only is ugly, its just a car rather than a real Landover.

It tows and carries just the same as the last one did (which was a strange chassis/monocoque hybrid), and, in any case, it is an expensive, luxurious family car and not something that's going to spend its life as a navvy's tool.

[Dr Interceptor]

The driver and passenger doors on the AMC Pacer were different lengths (to make passenger access easy on the passenger side).

[donkmeister]

InitialDave said:

I think it was the AMC Pacer that made one door longer than the other, wasn't it?

Edited by InitialDave on Wednesday 28th June 12:27

Beat me to it! I was wondering why no-one had mentioned Wayne's Mirthmobile yet.
Yes, passenger door longer than driver door to allow easier access to rear bench on passenger side. But on the RHD ones they just moved the steering wheel (with a chain drive!) etc. So a Mini Clubman-style fail.

[Big GT]

NomduJour said:

Big GT said:

I'm assuming the 300Kg weight saving over the LR4 is that the body is now monocoque. Whereas before it was ladder and monocoque frame so you could tow and carry real loads.

So now not only is ugly, its just a car rather than a real Landover.

It tows and carries just the same as the last one did (which was a strange chassis/monocoque hybrid), and, in any case, it is an expensive, luxurious family car and not something that's going to spend its life as a navvy's tool.

I would say half of Disco 4's I see on my travels are being used towing not just caravans but for commercial use i.e. outdoor event stuff, car transporters, Generators, materials etc. There's a boat dealer who uses Disco 3s to move stuff about.

I wonder if people will use the Disco 5 in the same way, time will tell .....

[Willy Nilly]

IIRC the Renault 16 had the wheel base a different length on the left and the right side.

[InductionRoar]

98elise said:

It looks like it's had a stroke.

You are a wicked but very funny man.

[Willy Nilly]

From the elevated position this Discovery 4 is enjoying in its natural habitat, we can see it has a much more cohesive design compared to the new model

[Dazed and Confused]

Wasn't the Disco 4 taken off sale in the States as it was so problematic. Or did I dream it?

Are they trying to kill off the Discovery brand?

[NomduJour]

Dazed and Confused said:

Wasn't the Disco 4 taken off sale in the States as it was so problematic. Or did I dream it?

Are they trying to kill off the Discovery brand?

You dreamt it. Yeah - monstrous development costs for an all-new model, to fit into a new sub-brand with other cars - I'm sure they're trying to kill it off...