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![]() ![]() Land Rover maintains its reputation for off-road ruggedness and interior luxury with the Discovery II model.
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2001 Land Rover Discovery II SE7 Road Test
![]() Tough Love
By Bill Roebuck
It's hard to beat the Land Rover Discovery Series II for rugged off-road capabilities and top-of-the line technology to handle almost any driving conditions.
Eight-way, power heated front seats, finished in smooth leather in the 2001 SE7 model we tested, give you a high view of the road ahead. (There are no changes for the 2002 model.) To enhance the surroundings, there's a fancy 12-speaker, 220-watt stereo, although its description sounded better than the audio itself.
Although the ergonomics of the driving compartment could use a lot of work -- seat and window controls are not logically positioned, for example -- the real value of the Discovery II comes from its off-road prowess and innovative technologies and systems. Also, it's big, sturdy, tough and well built.
The 4.0-litre V8 engine produces 188 hp and plenty of torque -- 250 lb-ft at 2600 rpm. However, it also generates a lot of noise both at idle and on the highway. The four-speed automatic transmission has a sport mode setting for better performance, a useful option if leisurely driving is not your style. The four-wheel drive system includes electronic traction control as standard. In low range, a manual mode keeps the transmission in the selected gear, ideal for off-road or slippery conditions.
Other tricks on the SE7 include a self-levelling suspension, a hydraulic rear step for climbing into the back, and audio controls for the optional third-row seating. Cargo capacity in the five-passenger version is 40.5 cu ft.
Another innovation is electronic brake distribution, a feature that moderates the brake force between the front and rear wheels to maximize stopping ability. Antilock brakes are of the four-channel design. Another feature is hill descent control, which automatically applies the brakes when going down steep hills.
The suspension adapts to both highway and off-road driving. The optional self-levelling suspension changes ride height depending on load or road, and is able to raise the vehicle about an inch and a half higher to increase its departure angle in off-road situations.
Active cornering enhancement is another option, worthwhile in that it reduces body lean significantly during turns. It definitely takes away the top-heavy, rolling feeling usually displayed by large SUVs on city corners and highway off-ramps. The Discovery still rides like a truck, though.
An extra-long warranty -- four years or 80,000 km -- and 24-hour Road Recovery service add to the feeling that the Discovery is meant to last a long, long time.
This Land Rover is priced at $47,000 for the base SD model and up to $53,950 for the top of the line SE7 we tested (the 7 on nameplate indicates the model has the forward-facing, third-row rear seat option, bringing its capacity to seven passengers).
© Copyright Bill Roebuck, CarTest.ca 2002.
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