If you noticed the extra Land Rover Discovery 4 in our Buyer’s Guide in the June issue of Leisure Wheels, then you’ll be excited to hear more about the XS. A new entry-level version of the beloved off-road SUV, the 3.0 V6 Disco 4 has been on the cards for a while now. Our road test editor headed to the north of Kruger Park with Land Rover and Kingsley Holgate on their expedition to test drive the “expedition ready” Disco 4, and you can read more about the vehicle, how it drives and what it offers, in the July issue of the magazine.
For now, here’s a breakdown of the reduced specification Disco 4, now available at R598 600. That’s a full R111 000 cheaper than the next spec-level, which is the same engine (albeit with 183kW of power and 600Nm torque) but in S specification. That makes the entry level Disco 4 now only R52 400 more than the most expensive Defender.
Like the Defender, the Disco 4 XS has no rear diff lock, air suspension or sunroof. The electronically controlled seats have been taken away, it comes standard with cloth seats and has been downrated to 155kW @ 4000 r/min power output and produces only 520Nm of torque at a low 1500 r/min. The brakes to match are smaller, and it’s only available as a five-seater.
Some interior luxuries remain. It does have 18” alloys, climate control (auto), cruise control for the long open roads in Africa, shifting paddles on the steering and the cooled box in the centre consol. The important, off-road “luxuries” are still present, with a tow bar fitted and paired to a Trailer Stability Assist program. The only options available are leather seats and “privacy” glass. Transmission is still the eight-speed gearbox with the “Drive Select” system and rotary shifter (which is used to select park, reverse, neutral, drive or sport), and it still has a hill descent program, a very good traction control system and low-range gearing.
While manufacturers often strip after-sales care to bring down the price of entry-level models, another welcome element of the Discovery 4 range that has been maintained is the five-year/100 000km maintenance plan.
