New Disco pictures

[HSE2]

Looks like someone jumped the embargo. Pictures from Motorbox



http://www.motorbox.com/Upload/l/landroverdiscovery2004-5253-010-f.jpg


http://www.motorbox.com/Upload/l/landroverdiscovery2004-5253-020-f.jpg

[JohnW]

Nice looking.
Not sure about that front bumper - Looks more road tamed than the present model.
First impression - Mazda/Maverick style back end lights, Range Rover body style with an extra bit tacked on to make it into a Disco.
Still, I wouldn't say no!

[AJC]

Its lost it's identity. Looks like a cross between a Range Rover and a Freelander. Don't like it!

[HCR]

I was really agains the original Disco when it was first lauched, but it grew on me. I saw it as a sell out to the Japanese 4x4 box market. It was, of course, but it worked very well and showed the Far East lot a thing or two in the process. It also may well have saved the company from a gruesome end.

H

[Mantamad]

Very Range Rover looking from the front which is no bad thing - I like it. Maybe just the photo but it looks smaller than the current Discovery.

[Newsreader]

HSE2, Can you just clarify who/what Motorbox is, and hwo owns the copyright of the photos?

[GreyBack]

Bernie. I'm no good at languages but have a look here. This seems to be what HSE2 is referring to:http://www.motorbox.com/jumpNews.asp?idLang=IT&idChannel=14&idUser=0&idNews=5253

[DiscoMatt]

I like the front, though it does seem a bit slab-sided. I seem to recall that the first Disco came primarily from the Range Rover parts bin, with some tacky Meastro van bits to cheapen it. Looking at the snout, seems the same has happened again with the Rangie parts bins. Lets just hope that there is no Ford Fusion in there...

As for the size, my guess is that its HUGE! The current Rangie looks normal sized in a photo. Its only when you stand in the shadow of the real thing that you realise its bigger than a Jumbo jet...

:nellie:

[Newsreader]

Originally posted by GreyBack
Bernie. I'm no good at languages but have a look here. This seems to be what HSE2 is referring to:http://www.motorbox.com/jumpNews.asp?idLang=IT&idChannel=14&idUser=0&idNews=5253
Thanks Greyback! I can read Italian after a fashion, but your search skills are superior to mine!:buck:

[Steve107]

I love it, i want one.

[JohnW]

Looks v.good, however I suspect it's rearward/parking vision is not as good judging by that rear window line.
Rear (3rd row) seats look more useable - Hope they stow in a way that doesn't impede vision.
It looks lower than the current model - No bad thing - I bought my Disco to tow the horsebox and use on road. Not really bothered about mud plugging... Not that I don't enjoy the idea but I'd rather be doing that in someone else's 90 :D

Hope LR have identified their target market -
My ideal Disco would be a "long distance" 110 i.e.
Quiet engine, good road manners, Disco style seats, simple gadget/motor/electrics free 110 style stripped-out interior, top tow capability and a more usable-on-the-move transfer box.

Put the gizmos in the RR where they belong!

I hope there's a stripped-out gadget free model in the range, complete with manual wind windows ;)

[HSE2]

the website is http://www.automotorundsport.de/d/57019

http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v90/driven/lr7_450.jpg

http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v90/driven/lr4_450.jpg

http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v90/driven/lr2_450.jpg

Notice only one side has a vent

[HSE2]

Originally posted by Bernie Hayden
HSE2, Can you just clarify who/what Motorbox is, and hwo owns the copyright of the photos?

My understanding is that LandRover themselves own the copyright. These are part of the official media pack, but I could be wrong. The media pack was meant to have been under embargo untill Friday.

[vitalspark]

There certainly won`t be a stripped out model in the range, lets face it the entry level will probably be around £25k, and for that I`de certainly not be winding up my windows, we take for granted air con, decent cd system and obviously electric windows,... the new lpg/petrol Transit that I`m waiting on has air con/abs/ decent stereo, etc, and its a van. The `extras` will be I`m sure, leather, electric roofs..has it got two??..and no doubt dvd sytems etc if the latest RR is anything to go by.
From the pictures, and they`re the best I`ve seen so far, I now like what I see. The earlier spyshots did it no favours, but it now looks like a discovery replacement rather than a Ford. If the build quality is right and its got the right mix of power and economy then it will be a winner.
The company only makes its money from the new sales, and is probably not envisaging selling too many to dyed in the wool L.R. enthusiasts so I doubt will lose much sleep over what most of us here think. When my time comes to change my ES I will seriously consider one, but one which is probably around eighteen months old, that way I get to have a top of the range..not stripped out model, for less than a `basic` and hopefullyafordable, so no profit to parent company, only dealer.
We will all move on, and in years to come the Disco 200/300 will be like the curent Series Land Rovers, desirable to own and fun off road but not everyday transport, we will all by that time be running the `new` Discos and taking their sophistication for granted, its progress and if L.R. didn`t move on they would die.
It will probably turn out to be the best L.R. yet................
...waiting for the flack!!

[HSE2]

My German isn't the best but form what I can read the Disco is a lot of car in a new age way. The auto looks like it is 6 speed and in some ways the specs look to be above that to the flagship Rangie.

I have to agree in that I wasn't sure I liked this car. It looks better now but the broken side line and only one vent could look at odds with the rest of the car.

Landrover see themselves as the premium off road brand and with any premium product comes the corresponding price. I hope LR don't get too top heavy in their product line. If the Disco treads on the toes of the sport and the sport the toes of the Rangie there will be only one loser

[JohnW]

Originally posted by vitalspark
There certainly won`t be a stripped out model in the range, lets face it the entry level will probably be around £25k,................
...waiting for the flack!!

I hear ya!
My concern is that LR are in danger of losing sight of product differentiation - I guess they are at the beginning stage of a range (excuse the pun) metamorphosis motivated by Ford.

The Defender is a cracking vehicle, and it's basic rugged spec commands high second-hand/resale value - Resale values affect new sales and leasing too.

For me, I too run a Disco, as the 110s were too pricey, rare as hen's teeth, and not as good on road/long distance.

I didn't go for a Rangie, as I didn't want all the gadgets - The Disco is the ultimate kiddie mobile (or in my case, a vehicle to take water tanks, saddles and muddy riders). i.e. I want something that I won't worry about getting dirty and bashed about.

That to me was the essence of the product separation btwn Def/Disco/Rangie.
To me, the Freelander is a response to the need to produce a fashionable car-like road-going MPV - And very fine at the job it is too.

The new Disco appears to go head-on against the likes of Shogun/Toyota etc. Looks lovely and much more fancy at the expense of interior bashability.
I'm not sure what the diff. btwn. that and the Rangie is now though.

[HSE2]

Originally posted by JohnW


I hear ya!
My concern is that LR are in danger of losing sight of product differentiation - I guess they are at the beginning stage of a range (excuse the pun) metamorphosis motivated by Ford.


I'm not sure what the diff. btwn. that and the Rangie is now though.

I couldn't have said it better. I own a 03 vogue and at the moment I don't know how I feel.

The new disco is said to be better on road and off road then my car. Is said to have a better transmission and engine as well as an innovative suspension (and a first) system.

I can only talk about Australia pricing but I would assume that the price will rise slightly but for the sake of the competition it can't rise that much. If it does it gets into ML and X5 territory which is where the new Range Sport is meant to sit.

I mean it no big deal, the public will sort out what they are prepared to pay for but right now I see a very limited life for the Rangie as it is now.

In Aust the Rangie costs between $130000 and $160000. It really doesn't have competition. You can option up X5s and MLs and even the Cayenne S but it looks more and more likely that the Rangies really opposition is 7 series and S class luxury cars.

Only the high performance SUVs cost as much as the Vogue.


One would assume that the Supercharged Sport will cost a similar amount. Right now there looks to be a big overlapping of the line up.

[vitalspark]

JohnW, read your reply, your absolutely right, and I know what you mean. I bought my first Disco, a 300 to pull an Ifor williams trailer, couple of horses, and after a wet show, well I don`t need to tell you re muddy boots tack etc etc. Trouble is when change time came I was seduced by the ES..still, with full rubber mats and leather its pretty hard wearing, but I`m a abit reluctant to fold the seatd and cram in bales of hay until I cant get the door shut, as I did with my 300. The new model which I want!!..will be out of bounds regarding that I suspect..end up using the old Classic..kind of defeats the purpose really, I kind of feel I need to justify to myself the reason I buy Discos, and if its to be kept for best, then I`de probably be better off with a Jaguar, cheaper too.
I still want one though!

Dave

[Yeti]

How long do you think it will be before someone brings outy a swingaway spare wheel carrier for the back (to bring back some of those Discovery good looks ) ?
but apart from that acces to the back seats does indeed look better the doors do look bigger
just have to wait and see to make my final decision

[Mantamad]

I was wondering about the spare wheel - is it inside somewhere or do you have to make do with a (big) can of that tyre weld stuff - that then wrecks your tyre:Cross:

[Yeti]

Being a 7 seater it's probably underneath, fancy changing a flat when you're up to your axles in mud?

[JohnW]

Originally posted by Mantamad
........make do with a (big) can of that tyre weld stuff - that then wrecks your tyre

According to LRI, the spare's underneath - Great for ground clearance ;) Well, I guess it'll be in the void under the boot floor.... Or perhaps it'll be the world's largest space-saver :p

I've heard about tyre-weld wrecking tyres, but why is that?
I heard from a tenuous connection that it's just because the repair shops can't be arsed with the job of thoroughly cleaning out and drying the inside.

[Mantamad]

I heard it was because the tyre weld stuff gets into the various layers of the tyre and they can't then get it back out.

[Lusty]

As we are in England here is a RH Drive:p

[OldFart]

Originally posted by Lusty
As we are in England here is a RH Drive:p

So the Scots are L/H drive then :dunno1:

[RallyDisco]

Fab front end, great looks at the sides but what on earth have they done at the rear? Gawwd, it's got to be the worst rear end I have seen on a car.

Never the less, I bet with a roll cage fitted it would perform well on a rally special stage! Now, where did I put my cheque book.........

Kev

[RallyDisco]

And yes OF, I am Scottish and "Beast" is left hand drive, LOL

[Mark McChesney]

I spent about 2 hours with the new Land Rover today at the Ford Design Studio Showroom in Dearborn. Known as LR3 in USA. It will be shown at NY Autoshow on the 7th.

I may be biased, but it just looks awesome. I love it. It pays respect to the old Disco, but dang, it is the best product design I have seen in a long time. In person it is not like the RR. I also saw some other things but - well, I can say NOTHING. hehe. As far as US stylist having had anything to do with it... no chance. J. Mays may have had some input, but that would be it. LR has their own studios and we don't get to see them. Please understand that this thing is a great bit of modern design - UK should be VERY proud of this thing.

I own a 2003 SE7 that I bought for my wife back in November. I warned her that the new one was coming... I am in deep $ with the '03 so no new one for us. I feel ambivalent. I do love the '03- it is an amazing vehicle. The new Disco/LR3 is much bigger inside and has much better passenger space.

[YUG]

Here in South Africa the Land cruiser and Range rover are in the same price bracket,but i get the feeling that LandRover are going to take Toyota head on with this new Discovery.

[Renny]

There's an article in the new edition of LRM.

Apparently the spilt tailgate will allow you to reach in with only the top raised and the cut-away lower shelf will allow you to reach further in to the boot floor area. I know that the current RR has been criticised by owners who couldn't reach things in the front of the load area without climbing in.

[Mark McChesney]

I showed my wife the press photos on the net. She likes it but she still likes her '03 better.

There is just no pleasing her. :)

She thinks that the old one will keep it's snob appeal because it is so distinctive - and from an American viewpoint it is VERY British. She likes the '05 but thinks it is too modern (exactly what I like about it).

To put her taste in perspective, she still laments the passing of the older Saabs (99), she loves both the new Mini and my old Mini, and would dump my E-type for a 356 in a second .

[RPGreg2600]

I absolutely hate it. It is one of the ugliest vehicles I have ever had the misfortune of laying eyes on. I guess this thing will take the Honda Element's place as the ugliest vehicle ever created. Why the hell can't they just leave a good design alone? They better not destroy the Defender before they get around to bringing them back over to the US.

[Mark McChesney]

RPGreg, do you think that you will change your mind in the future as you start to get more familiar with the design? Some people do. When a new vehicle is introduced sometimes people do not like it as it is different than what they are used to. Expectations are difficult for both the designer and the customer. Familiarity breeds either contempt or contentment. >:) I would be interested in how you feel about it when you first see it in the flesh, and then again after about a year or so.
I agree with you about the Honda. I find it funny that the Element is not up to the aesthetic standards of the rest of the Honda/Acura range. To me Honda is the best of JP, but they really messed up on the Element. I think the concept is good, just the execution is off.
As to why they didn't just leave the Disco alone, I think LR had to do something to compete with the offerings from JP, GE and US domestics - Disco sales have slid a bit. Interior seating package on the new one is MUCH improved and will be best in class. There is little in the way of decoration or styling nonsense on the LR3, yet they still included some obvious cues from the Disco. I do miss the high 1/4 glass windows though. They kept the graphic similar but left out the windows...
IMHO the new Disco/LR3 is certainly a much better design than the Element, and Greg I hope that you see it this way in the future.

[Drew Parkes]

Thoughts on the new disco.

Well where do we start, I have looked at the pictures
a few more times since they were first released. Bad news
is that it doesn't make me rush out and want to part with
my cash for a new one. I agree with mark the high windows
have gone, one of the "nice" "distinguishing" features of
the other Discos. The removal of the spare tyre, again
this was another feature of the old discos. But it did seriously
hinder your rear view(one incident with a nice new mercedes
still sticks closely to my mind.)
It seems that Lr have urbanised a great vehicle to make it appeal
to and compete in the nothern american market, I feel this will
cost them in the longer run in the U.K as they are moving away
from what they were originally built for.

They did a wonderful job on the Range rover and if I was lucky
enough to get 7 numbers on saturday night then a vogue
with a few extras would be heading this way. The new disco
has headed that way now and I seriously feel Lr have made
a bad judgement. If they do the same to the mighty defender
then that will be it for me, Lr will have sold out!!!

Drew

[RPGreg2600]

I wouldn't be complaining about it so much if the *******s would bring the defender back to the US (how hard can it be to add airbags?) The disco was the only "rugged" looking Land Rover for sale in the US, and now they all look like cartoons. They're too big, and bubbly looking.

How's the new disco gonna perform offroad?

[Mark McChesney]

Drew,

The up side to the new spare location is that it gives a generous seating package to both 2nd and 3rd row, and it does clear up the rear vision issue - which, yes, is a concession to urbanites (and lawyers) :0.

[RPGreg2600]

Nah, I said I wouldn't be complaining so much if they'd bring the defender back. Although I did read in an article somewhere that the ford execs were "itching" to bring the Defender back to the US. Dunno how much they'll butcher it before bringing it back though.

[Renny]

Have a look at Discovery 3 website (http://136.8.154.52/home2.html?iso=other&marketid=&langid=10) for the Official web site

[Yeti]

Saw the new Disco last week on the A44 in the Cotwolds still under wraps, why? when the photo's have been released.

[RPGreg2600]

Perhaps because it's so hideous that seeing it with your own eyes will turn you to stone?

[Outrageous]

Originally posted by Mark McChesney
When a new vehicle is introduced sometimes people do not like it as it is different than what they are used to.

The LR3 has really been growing on me in the short time since I've seen the official photos. Mark, now that the official unveiling has passed, would you like to share any further insights, from a designer's perspective or otherwise?

[Outrageous]

This is the first review I've seen by someone who has actually driven in the LR3:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003090001-2004172592,00.html

[seehatch]

Not convinced by the photos.
Looks like a Fiat van from the rear!
Probably a bit of Ford Fusion too.
May be better in the flesh!! :goofylook

[[eXt]Sieg]

Thats why I got the 2004, I took one look at the new 2005 model and thought to myself its now or never before Ford gets ahold of it and turns it into another high priced Soccer Moms car. turning it into another road princess, anyone heard any truth about putting a ford explorer chasis on it, great another Mall car the non drivers in the states can flip over on the high way.

[Outrageous]

Originally posted by [eXt]Sieg
...before Ford gets ahold of it ... anyone heard any truth about putting a ford explorer chasis on it...

My understanding is that LR designed the LR3 in-house, without Ford "interference".

[[eXt]Sieg]

Well give them a year or two Im sure Ford will screw it up somehow:(