| Author | Message | ||
     Mark Douglas (Mdouglas) New Member Username: Mdouglas Post Number: 1 Registered: 08-2003 |
Alright gang, Here's some pics taken from AutoWeek and Land Rover Chronicle.com that show portions of the exterior and interior of the upcoming series III Disco. What do ya think? Mark | ||
| Mark Douglas (Mdouglas) New Member Username: Mdouglas Post Number: 2 Registered: 08-2003 |
Sorry, I forgot to include the URLs: http://www.thelandroverchronicle.com/new_page_431.htm http://carspyshots.proboards2.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=spy&num=1052801 984&start=30 Mark | ||
| CALM (Gumarcel) Senior Member Username: Gumarcel Post Number: 922 Registered: 11-2002 |
Why does it have to be so fugly? | ||
| michael burt (Mikeyb) Senior Member Username: Mikeyb Post Number: 430 Registered: 03-2002 |
what the hell are the dorfs at carspyshots looking at? how many glowing reviews of that pile of ford explorer crap can you expect? i was not in the market for a new rover, but i am thinking about an '04 now just so i can avoid '05 and on untill they get their heads out of their asses. | ||
| Chris Whybrew (Dcwhybrew) Member Username: Dcwhybrew Post Number: 74 Registered: 05-2003 |
That is pretty damn ugly. It looks like that Honda Element, or whatever that thing is called. Can you imagine wheeling in that thing? | ||
| Jeff (Priest) New Member Username: Priest Post Number: 12 Registered: 08-2003 |
Hmm... Hmmm.... hmmmm........ I have Two words.. Honda Element... and have you noticed that alot of European cars are getting.. well kinda square? Lets take BMW for example. Damn American designers. | ||
| Luis Constantin (Luisc) Member Username: Luisc Post Number: 139 Registered: 02-2003 |
I hope somebody buys them because I sure won't. I don't even think I'll use it as a loaner car. That's uglier than some of the cars in Asia and Europe. If I wanted to drive a car that ugly, I would buy the Honda and use the money I save to buy a second Harley or something. | ||
| Michael Noe (Noee) Senior Member Username: Noee Post Number: 729 Registered: 03-2002 |
It's weird reading another board about discos (LR too), makes me appreciate dweb a little more. Seems like those guys are oriented around looks and styling and "gizmos" and don't really understand what makes the disco a special vehicle. I see very few D2s offroad, I still can't imagine anyone who has a real interest in going offroad buying one of these. 'Course, I'm sure that was said about the D2. | ||
| Joe Jack (Bigjoejack) New Member Username: Bigjoejack Post Number: 6 Registered: 04-2003 |
On the quote below the pictures, it states it will be coil sprung. I thought it was going to be IFS? I remember when I had a J**P Wrangler with the leaf springs and everyone was bitching about the new coil sprung, re-designed wranglers that were soon to come out. Now, no one would have one of those old leaf sprung wranglers. I bet this will be the same way. I doubt they will make the discovery less capable than the current/previous disco's. Especially read how much they are hyping this rig to outperform everything in Land Rovers line-up as well as in it's class. That would be a pretty bold statement just to follow it up with a camo'd explorer. Think about it. This will be a good looking, very capable, discovery. | ||
| Brent (Silly_me) Member Username: Silly_me Post Number: 63 Registered: 07-2003 |
I'm not liking the clams shell rear door. I really prefer the swing away style.... | ||
| Raj Tuli (Britrover) New Member Username: Britrover Post Number: 22 Registered: 04-2003 |
Looks like a beefed up Honda Element | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 803 Registered: 02-2003 |
I think threads like this belong in the non-tech section rd | ||
| Bill Howell (Billh13) Member Username: Billh13 Post Number: 156 Registered: 03-2003 |
I wouldn't drive that piece of shit into a tree. I'm always wanting other peoples cars.....until now. They should call that the Land Rover Puke, instead of Discovery. | ||
| Justin (Vanroth) Member Username: Vanroth Post Number: 78 Registered: 02-2003 |
Joe, Although I don't know if the 2005 will be IFS (or IRS for that matter) but you definitely can have coil sprung IFS suspension. The new disco will almost certainly be less capable than the D1 and D2. It is simple economics... The open highways of America are a huge market for street going SUV's... The British colonial go-anywhere-safari days are over. -justin PS. Butt ********* ugly. | ||
| Pedro (Discoverys) New Member Username: Discoverys Post Number: 7 Registered: 08-2003 |
Don't forget the steroids... Honda Element on steroid. I am a little disapointed by this truck, but the good part is that it still on R&D. It's not the final car. Lets hope they don't put that brick on wheels on the market. | ||
| Andrew Maier (Newman) Member Username: Newman Post Number: 111 Registered: 04-2003 |
I personally like the gauges, and most of all the big self-destruct button on the transmission hump: {image} | ||
| Andrew Maier (Newman) Member Username: Newman Post Number: 112 Registered: 04-2003 |
Need more coffee before posting...  \image | ||
| Andrew Maier (Newman) Member Username: Newman Post Number: 113 Registered: 04-2003 |
Well, now this is getting funny...just click the damn upload button, Andy...   Yay for me!  | ||
| Joe Jack (Bigjoejack) New Member Username: Bigjoejack Post Number: 7 Registered: 04-2003 |
Justin I somewhat agree that manufactures are being more enviroment and road friendly, but how would you explain the new H2 and the rubicon wrangler. I think the companies that pride themselves as being true off road vehicles(ie hummer, jeep, LR) are still going to have real world off roading capabilities but try to improve on road performance. It only makes sense. Even though the majority of these guys claim they use their rigs primarily for serious off roading, I would bet that most miles are on road. I'm not trying to be a dick on this topic, I'm just trying to make sense out of the some of the new changes. | ||
| Kelly Fristoe (Kfristoe) Member Username: Kfristoe Post Number: 60 Registered: 12-2002 |
Looks like my 2000 will be appreciating in value. Yay. | ||
| David Morin (Sporin) Member Username: Sporin Post Number: 52 Registered: 02-2003 |
the sky is falling! the sky is falling! the sky is falling! the sky is falling! the sky is falling! :D | ||
| David Morin (Sporin) Member Username: Sporin Post Number: 53 Registered: 02-2003 |
But seriously... I'm having a whole discussion about this on another forum, I'll try to summarize my points... • I actually like the styling, and I expect the interior to be more cohesive in production form. • Then again, I like the Element • Is suspension design finalized? I've heard IFS, IFS & IFR, coils, solid axles... the whole gamut. Nothing concrete though. • With "real" off roaders making up (by all accounts) less then 5% of the car buying population, Rover **NEEDS** to cater to the people who ARE buying new luxury SUV's right now or they won't succeed, period. • There is no shortage of used, solid axle Rovers out there. • If Rover only did what their hardcore, offroad enthusiast following wanted, they would have gone out of business in the late 70's when they stopped making leafers. • I love Rover. If a big selling new Disco pays the bills so they can bring us the next Defender then so be it. | ||
| Christopher Boese (Christopher) Member Username: Christopher Post Number: 141 Registered: 10-2002 |
I've posted this link a couple of times before, but this is a good time to do it again. These early spy shots give a good idea that IFS is definately part of the package: http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5956&n=158,178&sid=178. Remember, when you're driving, you can't see the outside of your truck. I know I wouldn't want to if I had one of these. | ||
| Christopher Boese (Christopher) Member Username: Christopher Post Number: 142 Registered: 10-2002 |
PS - independent rear suspension too. This thing had better be an outstanding performer offroad, because its looks are anything but outstanding. | ||
| Luis Constantin (Luisc) Member Username: Luisc Post Number: 140 Registered: 02-2003 |
It will probably win awards in car mags like Motortrend, Car&Driver, Road&Track. But the days of taking offroad mags awards are over. If Jeep keeps axles under their trucks, they could surely advertise that they are the last of the true offroad vehicles sold in America. But, on the other hand, if LR eventually brings the Defender back to US shores, they would certainly keep a lot of us happy and continue competing against Jeep on the offroad scene. | ||
| Joe Jack (Bigjoejack) New Member Username: Bigjoejack Post Number: 8 Registered: 04-2003 |
Christopher No one has seen the final product so how can you really make a clear call on the looks? Everything in pictures is either cladded or computer generated. I know I dont speak for the majority here, but I would definiatly take the new Range Rover over the earlier models based on appearance. | ||
| Christopher Boese (Christopher) Member Username: Christopher Post Number: 144 Registered: 10-2002 |
Just my opinion, which could change... | ||
| Andrew Maier (Newman) Member Username: Newman Post Number: 116 Registered: 04-2003 |
Joe Jack, you'd take an ought-three Rangie over a 90 SWB RRC? Careful -- many eyes are watching for your response... | ||
| Porter Mann (Porter) New Member Username: Porter Post Number: 36 Registered: 05-2003 |
The signature rear tire is taken off and put underneith as well as removal of the side marker lights (side blinking lights) found on most European cars. The alpine windows are blended into the cargo windows into one large window, and I don't see a hitch on it - althought its hard to see from the rear angle photos but I doubt its there. What is the cutout for in the rear bumper, it looks like a spot for the licence plate, but then what's the purpose of the one of the rear clam door? Mass production bumper I suspect to fit other vehicles (non-land rover). The rear lights were moved back down, and lights on the rear bumper were removed - I wonder if rear fog lights are still there or whether they've taken that out as well. Most importantly, no rain gutter, so no full length rack, especailly near the back end, there's no support for such an item. Only a tiny basket on the factory rails will work. I personally think the redesigned headlights are ugly, there's all that black space where the square light would have been, now replaced with these tiny round beams. The asthetics of this looks terrible. They could have at least color matched the black space. On the front end, I thought that fog lights were generally put at the lowest point so not to reflect ambient light back into the driver, it looks like either they took out the fog lights, or moved them right next to the regular headlights. If they indeed are, I'm sure they pointed them down as much as they can, but is this really as effective? On the covered one, there are fog lights on the bumper though. It also appears that they tried to make the top of the vehicle appear flat aross. From the front, it still looks like there is the step-up. Does anyone know if it has a uni-body design. The rear quarter panel appears to blend into the corner area - the area above the rear lights and the panel the gas tank cap is on. In the D1, I know that these are two separate pieces, but I don't see the teltail sign of a split/seam in the pictures. Oh yea, and the large rear window is even bigger. No more putting stuff around the center shifter area. What the hell is that stupid red button for? Why does it look like the self-destruct button on Martin the Space Martian's UFO that Buggs Bunny pushes all the time. Is it supposed to be easily accessable to the passenger? What an eye-sore. I do have to admit, for the most part I like the Range Rover influence in interior styling. | ||
| Joe Jack (Bigjoejack) New Member Username: Bigjoejack Post Number: 9 Registered: 04-2003 |
Yes, most definiatly, I would take an 03 Rangie over a 90 SWB RRC. Most of my driving consists of miles and miles of pavement in Dallas with occasional trips off road. If it makes you feel any worse, I would also take an 03 Land Cruiser over a 90 SWB RRC. | ||
| michael burt (Mikeyb) Senior Member Username: Mikeyb Post Number: 436 Registered: 03-2002 |
oh crap, joe...you are in dallas? ever go to rexasrovers meetings? mike | ||
| chuck yarbrough (Cptyarderho) New Member Username: Cptyarderho Post Number: 8 Registered: 06-2003 |
Sir, I believe that to be an ambulance, for it is FAR TOO GOOFY to be a normal vehicle. | ||
| Erik Olson (Jon) Senior Member Username: Jon Post Number: 437 Registered: 02-2002 |
You don't need rain gutters to mount a full length rack. They didn't have gutter mounts on the Trophy trucks. I couldn't find the farthest rear set of points, otherwise I'd have used them. When my 2nd try at a full-length rack goes up there, it will be totally independent of the gutters and 2" lower. I'd prefer a new XK8 over anything done in the eighties or early nineties - let's see what happens. e | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 628 Registered: 07-2002 |
I didn't read this whole thread yet, so maybe someone already pointed this out. But the interior is almost an exact copy of the Ford Explorer, same layout in the center, same vents, same GPS position, same EXACT headlight switch. Ford really is ruining the company. If LR wants to make CARS then more power to them, if they want to make SOCCERMOM mobiles then more power to them, but they will be out of business in 5 years if they don't continue with the old-school style also. http://landrover.mrbaileyshistory.net | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 629 Registered: 07-2002 |
BTW, that same headlight switch - I have driven 4 different explorers in my life, each one of those switches was broken loose from the trim... | ||
| Joe Jack (Bigjoejack) New Member Username: Bigjoejack Post Number: 10 Registered: 04-2003 |
Eric Good point. Ford didn't kill the looks or functionability of the Jag. Just the opposite, they made the car more reliable, cost effective, and kept the styling in tact. Everyone is making all these assumptions on a car that nobody has actually seen. I would be willing to bet that the majority of people on this board will be impressed rather than dissapointed of the new discovery (except for maybe the ones who are just sour because there is a new model out and they are stuck in the remainder of their 5 year note). | ||
| Greg (Gparrish) Senior Member Username: Gparrish Post Number: 1341 Registered: 04-2002 |
Well, say that LR did bring the Defender back to America........... First of all, how many people on this board would actually be able to run out and buy a new, high priced, defender to take it off road? Secondly, how long would it take before you were able to buy one used? Thirdly, defenders are gonna cost more than a 1995 used D1. Fourthly, Whats the big deal? There are tons and tons of used series trucks, defenders and discos out there. If you truly want an off-road truck, you should not have a problem finding them. I'd be willing to bet that most of the people complaining about the new discovery were not in the market to buy a $40k truck next year anyway. If the defender comes over, you can bet it will not be affordable like across the pond. Anyway, thats my cynical opinion on all the 2005 Disco whining. Suck it up and enjoy the truck you have...... | ||
| Tim (Snowman) Senior Member Username: Snowman Post Number: 549 Registered: 12-2002 |
That is a very ugly truck. Nice cup holders though! But that's about all I like about it. O.K. the future CDL is nice. | ||
| Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco) Senior Member Username: Offroaddisco Post Number: 1522 Registered: 04-2002 |
Can't wait for the XTREME off road package that includes the big 4x4 decal on the back and "nerf bars". | ||
| Charlie Fok (Verboy) New Member Username: Verboy Post Number: 19 Registered: 03-2003 |
I believe the rack for the trophy trucks are mounted directly on the roll cage inside. I am suprise someone actually likes the cup holders. However, this is exactly why LR/Ford is making all the changes -- to satisfy the general public, rather than a niche market. If I were the marketing people at LR/Ford, I will also tune the disco to the mass market. Only after making enough money i will bring in the defenders to satisfy the niche. | ||
| Tim (Snowman) Senior Member Username: Snowman Post Number: 550 Registered: 12-2002 |
Charlie- I am the guilty one. I like a good solid cup holder. I drink an abnormal amount of robust coffee (especially in the winter months) and it's nice not to spill on yourself. | ||
| David Morin (Sporin) Member Username: Sporin Post Number: 54 Registered: 02-2003 |
RB Baily I'm not seeing the similarity.  | ||
| Charlie Fok (Verboy) New Member Username: Verboy Post Number: 20 Registered: 03-2003 |
Tim, not picking on you or the ones who need big cup holders (I hate the ones on my diso too), but just an example of the difficulty of satisfying everyone. | ||
| Ivan 94 LWB (Montoya) New Member Username: Montoya Post Number: 16 Registered: 01-2003 |
there's more similarities with the ford expedition especially with the air vents. look at the 360 interior view of the expedition . . . http://www.fordvehicles.com/Suvs/expedition/360/index.asp?display=interior&bhcp= 1 | ||
| michael burt (Mikeyb) Senior Member Username: Mikeyb Post Number: 440 Registered: 03-2002 |
i can forgive making cup holders that suck, but why did they have make a whole truck that sucks.? | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 630 Registered: 07-2002 |
It was the expedition I was looking at in the Flying magazine ad this month. I think it is an '04 model. | ||
| Mark E. Harrison (Meh130) New Member Username: Meh130 Post Number: 1 Registered: 08-2003 |
The front view of the new Disco is a photoshop edit, and not a true photo. The front view photo, is missing the yellow turn lights at the front edge of the driver and passenger side doors, as well as the fueling cover. These features can be seen in the photos here: http://carspyshots.proboards2.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=spy&num=1052801 984&start=30 If the photoshop edit of the front is accurate, the grille and bumper styling appears to be from one of the early new Range Rover concept models. I do notice the transmission shift lever and transfer case switch are the same as the new Range Rover. In the close up of the base of the shift lever the right switch is the transfer case, the left switch is probably related to a transmission "sport mode", and the middle knob may be related to either an air suspension system or an adjustable electronic traction control. My guess is the red knob is related to a testing function, and is not part of a final production version. My hope is Land Rover dumps the black "racoon eyes" look of the front, and uses a pocket light design with a neutral background color for both the headlights and the tailights. Several posts asked about IFS and IRS. The new disco has both. However, it is built on a frame, it is not a unibody. I hope Land Rover is using and IRS similar to the new Range Rover, and not the Ford Explorer. A Land Rover sales rep told me the wheelbase for the new disco is 116 inches. However, I read somewhere about two wheelbase options, the long model, and a shorter model for more serious off-road use. | ||
| Mark & Bev Preston (Markp) Member Username: Markp Post Number: 227 Registered: 02-2002 |
Why you may not want that 2005 vehicle: Machines will make criminal of every driver. The Sun (British tabloid) ^ | 25 AUG 03 | GARY O'SHEA and NIC CECIL http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/969994/posts While this is Britian, see reply #9 in discussion. Emissions and warranty tracking record you every move. How long before data from you onboard computer will be required for tickets and accidents? | ||
| Brian Dickens (Bri) Senior Member Username: Bri Post Number: 589 Registered: 08-2002 |
Give me a break. Never gonna happen since there are old cars on the road. | ||
| Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco) Senior Member Username: Offroaddisco Post Number: 1535 Registered: 04-2002 |
Mark, I thought that that information was already used in the case of major accidents. Data has been pulled from vehicles ECU(s) to determine speed. What I don't know is if that data actually held up in court or not. | ||
| Mark & Bev Preston (Markp) Member Username: Markp Post Number: 228 Registered: 02-2002 |
Brian - While I agree what is happening in Britian is not going to happen here (hey they gave up the right to self defense) I'm not so sure that some form of monitoring is creeping into our society. On-Star comes to mind. This kind of technology will keep older cars on the road. Al - I agree. Don't know if it has been used in court. My point was that even more data will be collected in the future. I suspect the data is more than just the "last 5 seconds". It will be interesting to see how the auto companies use this data in warranty claims. As for insurance companies I think this will be a sticky subject. It's a slippery slope. | ||
| han chung (Hanchung) Member Username: Hanchung Post Number: 52 Registered: 10-2002 |
i think these 2 are very simmilar: http://www.hondacars.com/images/banners/2003/element/exterior_gallery/photo_11_l arge.jpg and... http://www.digitalpose.com/mbr/1/20939/p/444453_6964673027932858589_vl.jpg | ||
| Mark & Bev Preston (Markp) Member Username: Markp Post Number: 229 Registered: 02-2002 |
The Disco 2005 looks like a cross between the new Range Rover and a Honda Element. Bottom line for all car companies is that trends sell and retro's don't. Look at the Ford Thunderbird. Land Rover needs to stay ahead of the style curve while maintaining the underlying reason for its niche, off-road capability with luxury. I know many of us would love the Defender to return but that can only happen if Land Rover overall is profitable and that means volume. As for Ford I have to say they have done a good job with Jaguar. The XJ retains is styling while significantly improving the internals. I agree with some that the S-type is a little too Ford-ish. I suspect that will change over time. It took a decade? for the Ford/Jaguar relationship to mature. It will probably take the same amount of time for the Ford/Land Rover relationship to mature. I suspect it will be successful. In general whatever is on the new Range Rover, expect to see it migrate to the Discovery over time. If Land Rover can figure out how to make coil sprung IFS/IRS perform as well as coil sprung solid axle then more power to them. I hope they are beginning to learn that all the sophisticated electronics cannot replace basic 4wd technology like locking axles. It could also be that we are seeing Land Rover target two different markets - the new SUVs like Volvo and VW and the classic 4wd like the Defender - that's if they bring back the Defender in 2006 or so. To try and serve both markets will prove difficult. | ||
| Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco) Senior Member Username: Offroaddisco Post Number: 1540 Registered: 04-2002 |
All this talk of an automotive v-chip makes me wonder. If the governments were really worried about our safety wouldn't they be putting in something that would limit the speed of the vehicle based on what a transponder would read off a speed limit sign on the side of the road? | ||
| Andrew Maier (Newman) Member Username: Newman Post Number: 127 Registered: 04-2003 |
Al, the individual states set speed limits, even on US highways and interstates. Plus, such a chip would almost certainly fail a legal challenge (how does my driving to and from work at 40 in a 30 zone affect interstate commerce?), unless they did it on semi trucks... | ||
| Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco) Senior Member Username: Offroaddisco Post Number: 1542 Registered: 04-2002 |
Andrew... I don't want such a system or think it's needed. But what the British are proposing where your speed is recorded and reported back if you did speed so you can get a ticket is just as (or more) stupid than governing the vehicle. BTW, if the vehicle was reading a transponder on a sign the states would still be able to set their own speed limits as they do now. | ||
| Mark & Bev Preston (Markp) Member Username: Markp Post Number: 231 Registered: 02-2002 |
Andrew - most states set speed limits but there is federal coercion through withholding of highway funds. Al - Money is power and in the end this is what it is all about. Limiting the speed of vehicles would significantly reduce a source of revenue for the government and lawyers. Governments aren't really worried about safety, not with the current economic conditions. As for me the last thing I want is Big Brother, whether its the government, lawyers or insurance companies, monitoring every aspect of my driving. | ||
| Damien Vrontisis (Dvrontisis) Member Username: Dvrontisis Post Number: 216 Registered: 04-2003 |
what the hell is land rover thinking? they're making a car that looks like a Honda Element. The discovery is totally losing it's safari appeal. for gods sake it looks like Duplo and Playmobil made a car. this cant actually be happening. i think i'll be keeping my 96 for a long time. | ||
| Curtis N (Curtis) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Curtis Post Number: 641 Registered: 05-2002 |
Hmmm...I don't think I will be trading in my DS2 on one, but I kinda like it. I think it will look quite good in production, and will probably do just fine offroad. It will be expensive to modify, but for the average driver it will probably be great. You guys gotta remember that LR is not here to sell vehicles to 4-wheelers. They are here to sell vehicles. I will bet sales go up by at least 100%...if not more. | ||
| Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco) Senior Member Username: Offroaddisco Post Number: 1547 Registered: 04-2002 |
Say, how are sales of those Rangies and Freelanders going again? |
