Land Rover Discovery TDV6 Landmark

A “safari” in Swahili means to journey or go on an expedition, perhaps to observe or hunt animals in their natural habitat.  My parents spent a long time in East Africa, and I spent the first few years of my life there, too.  The word safari floods me with thoughts of a long journey through rugged terrain in all weathers.  One of the more popular 4wd vehicles used in East African journeys back then were Land Rovers.  Tough, relatively simple to work on and superb when the off-road action became mammoth; these old Land Rovers are legends.  A few decades on, and Land Rover still holds a reputation for producing immensely capable off-road vehicles.  They are a whole lot more sophisticated – particularly with the Discovery and Range Rover models.  Can the latest offerings like the Land Rover Discovery TDV6 still hold its own in the rough?  Let’s take a look.

These days, a vehicle like the new Land Rover Discovery TDV6 is immensely strong in its design and build.  They are much bigger and roomier than ever.  The new Discovery uses Aluminium, magnesium and high strength Boron steel to help shape the vehicle and reinforce specific features such as the front windscreen and rear passenger door pillars.  You are seated well above the most vehicles on the road, so the Discovery has a very commanding view of the road ahead.  Stadium seating gives everybody unspoiled views, even in the second and third rows.  Head, leg and shoulder room are class leading and there are decent sized seating for up to seven adults.  Packed with safety features from airbags to rollover mitigation and pedestrian detection, this is a highly specced 4×4, and you’ll be in one of the safest 4x4s on the road.

Land Rover has always had an immensely capable 4×4 reputation, and in the new Land Rover Discovery TDV6, you’ll have all the latest technology at your fingertips.  The Terrain Response system enables the driver to tackle almost every surface with confidence.  Terrain Response adapts to the responses of the vehicle’s engine, gearbox, differentials and chassis systems to maximise driveability, comfort and traction.  There are up to five standard Terrain Response settings: General Driving, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud & Ruts, Sand and Rock Crawl.  The new TDV6 Discovery more than holds its own in the tough terrain.  Hill Descent Control, Wade Sensing, trailer stability assist and tow hitch assist are just some of the amazing new technology that I’m not even sure if it was in the dream phase back in the seventies and eighties!  One thing is for sure, it’s really hard to get yourself seriously stuck in a new Land Rover Discovery TDV6 4×4.

So what about the engine?  The TDV6 stands for an engine with Turbo Diesel technology and a V6-cylinder capacity and layout.  The TDV6 is the standard level engine that gets you into one of these awesome Discovery vehicles.  There are more powerful engines available in the line-up, but the TDV6 has 155 kW of power and a massive 520 Nm of torque – just the sort of pulling power you’ll need on and off the road.  Driven lightly, the TDV6 returns some attractive fuel economy, however plant the boot and the needle will drop quickly.  This is still a hefty machine, after all.  Stop/Start technology is available and the refined ZF 8-speed automatic transmission makes use of the engine’s huge pulling power.

Land Rover Discovery TDV6 Landmark Interior

Sitting inside the new TDV6 Discovery is an enjoyable and unique experience.  You definitely get a first class view of the road and terrain ahead of you and in Discovery Landmark trim the most luxurious interior will cosset and pamper you the entire journey long.  Windsor leather seats help create an exclusive space that is effortlessly relaxing.  If you want to really high-end the Land Rover Discovery TDV6 experience, why not go the whole way and kit it out with HD television for rear seat passengers.  An optional sunroof with Alpine roof included will set the car off really well, and why not get yourself the Timed Climate control where the vehicle pre-warms the cabin temperature prior to entering the cabin.

Land Rover Discovery TDV6 Rear Seats

On a ‘fair-dinkim’ safari you’ll need plenty of space for all the necessary luggage that, in Australia, the Outback demands.  With seven seats in place there is still space at the rear for 280 litres of luggage – then there is always the roof rails and trailer!  Opt for the five seat layout, and you’ll have a colossal 1192 litres available – now that’s hugely impressive.  If you place the two back rows flat, the amount of luggage you can fit on board is a remarkable 2558 litres.  The room that the modern Land Rover Discovery TDV6 provides is astounding and second-to-none.

You’ll be spending plenty of time on a proper safari, so it’s nice to know that zoned climate air conditioning and a Meridian Audio System that delivers superb acoustics is available.  The system runs radio, CD, iPod® or USB technology.  The optional Meridian Surround Sound System features 17 speakers including a subwoofer for plenty of bass.  Air suspension is standard on the new Discovery, and this not only provides outstanding traction off-road, excellent towing characteristics and self-levelling ability, but it is immensely comfortable.  The vehicle’s standard ride height is 185mm, while off-road height is up to 310mm.  Along with the Range Rover, the Discovery has one of the nicest rides over any surface.

What more could you want or expect in a modern 4×4 vehicle built for adventures and lengthy safaris.  The Land Rover Discovery TDV6 models include the:

• Discovery S TDV6
• Discovery SE TDV6
• Discovery Graphite TDV6
• Discovery HSE TDV6
• Discovery Landmark TDV6
• Discovery HSE Luxury TDV6

For any more information on the Land Rover Discovery TDV6 or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181.  If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Land Rover dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours.  Private Fleet – car buying made easy!