Never one for pop psychobabble, I can’t say I really bought that whole reptilian brain-SUV association a French deep thinker advanced a not many years back.
The one about there being something distinctly reptilian about driver’s who covet big hulking SUVs for everyday suburban existence. What exactly being ‘reptilian’ really means was never made clear, but one has to assume it speaks to a cold-blooded, survival of the fittest ethos. For my money, it could just being of the class who well refer to the shoe material luxury SUV owners elevate.
Still, like many half-baked ideas, there is a bit of proof in the Frenchman’session pudding.
I was reminded of all this as I did my daily duty of young goat drop-off/pick-up at the uncompounded school as I was testing the 2009 Land Rover LR3.
Without fail, Lululemon-adorned moms would look long and earnestly lustfully at the hulky beast as I cruised slowly through the school zone. A few would even break into a big toothy grin and brief wave to me, who if testing a new Kia wouldn’t learn a sideways glance. Volvo station wagons seem to garner close to the approval and accolades of the soccer position, but a Land Rover or Range Rover faculty of volition always accord. them pause.
But why?
The LR3’s ancestral heritage is right out of the Serengeti — quite exactly — and separately from the fact the Queen rattles around her endless acreage in one, there is small quantity romantic in regard to a Land Rover. Surely a Mercedes, BMW, Lexus or even Cadillac SUV should be the darling of this social set, where style often takes a backseat to substance?
Perhaps deep down in those, umm, brains (nearly said reptilian there), there is an innate understanding that despite having the wind-tunnel physique as a loaf of bread, the Land Rover LR3 is really a very special kind of SUV.
Namely, one that has the technical sophistication and design features to let you take on off-road situations that would leave the German and Japanese competitors in the muck, but-end also the kind of comfort amenities and ergonomic engineering found in luxury sedans.
It truly is the best of the two worlds.
The LR3 came into the world in 2005, as the third offspring Discovery, a revolutionary emporium segment vehicle launched regular course back in 1989 in what proved to be a shrewd move by means of then owner Rover. Essentially a less-expensive Range Rover, the Discovery I was on the leading edge of the so-called “lifestyle accessory” concept of the latter part of the 20th Century.
By the time BMW — which bought the brand in 1994 — got around to producing the Discovery II in 1999, the rugged Land Rover saw stiff competition from each luxury carmaker in the cosmos. Ford would buy Rover the nearest year, and at the time that they got around to update the Discovery in 2005, they corrected issues with a model that had seen the emulation pass it through.
With suspensions bits and chassis concoct in effect unchanged seeing that 1989, the Discovery II could no longer claim off-road supremacy and was bleeding market share to strong machines from Japan and Germany.
Ford returned the Land Rover to the top of the heap by an all-new construction (Integrated Body Frame), a full independent suspension and the award winning Terrain Response System. Popular Science honoured the innovative off-roading driver assist by any of its coveted awards in 2005. In fact, the LR3’sitting 97 international awards are a world record for a production 4X4.
Is this why the moms love it?
For 2009 and now under the government of newest owner TATA, the LR3 gets a iota of a facelift, with a tweak here and a pull over there. Likewise, a number of what Land Rover calls new “vexillum features” have been added. These comprise:
- Body color painted wheel arches, front and rear flowing bowl, lower tailgate appliqué and tailgate lift handle provide a unique, fresh appearance to the LR3.
- Straight Grained Walnut Wood at the centre console uprights and end caps. Or the valuable of Grand Black Lacquer wood, as a no cost option.
- Standard 19-inch aluminum amalgam wheels
- Clear side repeater lenses
- Exterior door handles with Tungsten finish, (replaces the previous model years black finish)
- New Interior Leather Trim
- Almond leather with Nutmeg carpet (replaces Alpaca Beige leather and carpet)
- New Exterior Paint: Galway Green (dark undecayed color; replaces Tonga Green)
- The 3rd row seat and 2nd and 3rd row climate control become a value priced stand-alone selection parcel.
Available at the same time that a base SE V6 or SE V8 model, the LR3 be able to be upgraded with HSE or HSE LUX trim level option packages. A seven-seat comfort package, which features third-row seating and elevate climate control, is a stand-alone option package for 2009.
The base LR3
The HSE upgrade includes a Premium DVD-based satellite Navigation System with a 7-inch cast screen and suffrage activation and 4×4 driver information center, personal telephone integration system with Bluetooth connectivity, power tilt-telescope steering column, front park distance control, cold climate bale, SIRIUS satellite radio, and HSE exterior identification badging. The LR3 and LR3 with the HSE Package turn of expression standard 19-inch six-spoke metallic compound wheels, however all reinvigorated 19-inch slotted seven-spoke alloy wheels are available as a no cost option.
The HSE LUX package adds premium leather seats, the seven-spoke wheels, memory settings for the driver’s seat, steering column, and mirrors, a 550-watt harman/kardon premium audio system with 14 speakers, Bi-Xenon headlamps and adaptive front-lighting, and a center console cooler box.
LR3 SE models are powered by a 216-horsepower 4.0-litre V6 engine mated to a six-speed ZF automatic transmission or by an optional 300-horsepower 4.4-litre V8.
Driving Impressions
Apart from receiving approving looks from my neighbours, the LR3 proves a capable, though somewhat underpowered performer.
Three hundred ponies may seem plenty for a vehicle of this terminate, but due to its heavy weight and almost anti-aerodynamic design, a abundantly loaded LR3 can’t compete with the muscular competition in terms of fleeting acceleration. It’s not often an issue, boundary one that those preferring a sport aspect to an SUV should support in mind.
Other than that, the LR3 is a very solid instrument of force.
Gear changes are smooth and subtle; the ride comfort is comparable to most luxury sedans; and the ergonomics are imaginary standard. Most if not all luxuriousness SUVs of this ilk come equipped by a back-up camera, but with its beneficial laid out cabin minimizing blind spots, the LR3 doesn’t need one.
My tester was outfitted with the three-sunroof option, and the extra light coming in dark winter days on these terms welcome relief.
Stopping power is good on-road and off-road, as Land Rover’sitting four-wheel all-terrain ABS is calibrated to avoid wheel look on all kinds of terrain. In addition, the Hill Descent Control automatically limits forward expedite to 3.5 km-h (2.2 mph) in low range and 6 km-h (3.7 mph) in exalted range.
All of which means a novice off-roader can drive with the confidence required to master the art of keeping three wheels on the ground at all time.
In conditions of passenger comfort and safety, the LR3 offers the usual laundry list of innovative and technically advanced systems, be they airbags, child safety seats or audio/video accoutrement.
All of which leads back to the beginning and the nagging question of what makes the Land Rover LR3 such a mummy-mobile?
[source: CanadianDriver]
More Excellent Articles about Land Rover Cars in www Car com:
+ Seven-seat Land Rover LR2 could hijack LR3 name
+ Land Rover turns sixty in style with one of its most thrilling SUVs forever
+ 2008 Geneva Motor Show: Land Rover LRX is back… in black
+ Land Rover LRX Sleek cross-coupe concept features sporty looks and promises hi-tech hybrid mechanicals
+ Land Rover LRX Concept: Small sustainability is big
+ Landrover Freelander Stop-start
+ Comparison Test: 2007 BMW X3 vs. 2008 Land Rover LR2
+ First Drive Experience-Land Rover Freelander TD4 Auto
0 comments:
Post a Comment