The All New Discovery - First impressions with Kingsley Hogate

All-New Discovery First impressions with Kingsley Holgate         

2 Days of Adventure

Jaguar Land Rover unveiled the newest sibling to their stable, the All New Discovery. True to the brand the unveiling was no ordinary adventure.

The glimmering vehicles where collected at the Jaguar Land Rover head office just off the R21, prepared for a pack of awaiting journalists. The adventure ahead was into the untamed region of the Northwest Province, with well laid out plans to traverse tar surfaces, long stretches of undulating dirt road and rock crawling, wading 4x4 paths. All to expose any slumbering weaknesses.

The All-New Discovery (5)

Our steeds for this adventure ahead was the brand new Discovery in both petrol and diesel derivatives. Land Rover points out that this incarnation of the Discovery is not Discovery-5, but rather the All New Discovery. Be that as it may, in our opinion the previous versions of Discovery are steeped in history and adventure, giving the All New Discovery lots to live up to. Thinking of Discovery one immediately conjure up images of impregnatable forests, with Camel trophy adventurers battling through raging rivers, and meters deep mud. This is the essence and breeding of Discovery. With initial thoughts of Discovery has gone soft on first sight, this notion is soon diminished when you get behind the wheel of the All New Discovery.

This time around the Solihull-based manufacturer packed the Discovery with new advanced technology and advancements. To merely say the All New Discovery is technology advanced would be totally untrue. It now features intelligent software and app integration that allows near complete control of the vehicle from any mobile device, simply jaw dropping. The same can be said for seamless integration of mobile devices into the vehicle, with very efficient Bluetooth connectivity.

The new Apps allow full access and control of various functions, such as remote seat position control allowing up to 21 different seating configurations. Access to the vehicle, location services, climate control settings and in-car entertainment system. The in-car entertainment system with 60GB of storage space, can also be accessed and changed with the same app.

Living the Technology

We were introduced to the All New Discovery at the training centre of Jaguar Land Rover, with technicians explaining the inner workings of the systems, first hand demonstrating how the systems operate. From the seating configuration to electronically deploying the tow hitch. The All New Discovery employs Terrain Response 2, with many added features chief amongst ATPC (All Terrain Progress Control), which allows for almost zero driver input rock crawling – more on this later. Inside the cabin every conceivable effort was made to make any adventure seamless with the latest technology, with four counted USB, and five 12V charging points. HDMI slots for the headrest rear screens in the arm rest binnacle, and even the mandotary 12V fridge to keep the adventure beverages cold. The entertainment system fitted is from Meridian and believe me when I say Thunderstruck from ACDC had never before sounded this good over the Sub-woofer driven 780W system.

The Adventure

As mentioned earlier the adventure was planned out with military precision through the wilder areas of the North West Province, with the destination being Marakele National Park. Unbeknownst to us, Legendary adventurer, explorer and Land Rover fanatic, guardian of Mama Africa Kingsley Holgate and his fellow adventurer and son Ross Holgate, was at hand to share some truly amazing adventures and stories around the campfire. Between Kingsley and Ross they have contracted Malaria more than 80 times, circumnavigated the globe along the Tropic of Capricorn, visited every African state on our continent and have saved the lives of thousands of people through their involvement in Malaria prevention.

The reason the Holgate’s hosted us on this adventure was to showcase the inherent strengths and developments of the All New Discovery. The inherited pedigree known as Discovery, as they will be using the All New Discovery on their upcoming expedition in September deep into the jungles of Africa. When the vehicle you use makes the difference between life and death on a daily basis, you have to trust your vehicle 100%. Again cementing the fact that the All New Discovery might appear to be a poser at first, but deep down it’s a true Discovery capable of conquering African jungles, just like its four predecessors.

Behind the wheel

We started out with our mini expedition on the N1 Northbound towards Polokwane. Driving the All New Discovery on the black top proved to be exhilarating, showing its slimmed down waist of 480kg. Displaying very nimble and fast paced characteristics. The 3.0 litre supercharged V6 petrol engine develops a very healthy 250Kw and 450Nm of torque, making for a seriously sporty drive. This engine like the Diesel sibling is mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox with sport setting available, with extremely smooth and seamless change overs. The Diesel being a 3.0 litre turbo, developing 190Kw and 600Nm of torque feels more physical than its petrol sibling, with almost all the torque available from standstill. The Diesel delivers impressive real world indicated fuel consumption, definitely more so than the Petrol unit, albeit under rather hurried conditions during our adventure. On-road my Discovery Diesel indicated overall consumption of 11.0 litres/100km, and the petrol unit a more thirsty 16.2 litres/100km in a full day of varied driving conditions. Even so considering the size, power and capabilities of the vehicle, still commendable consumption figures. In real life slower paced daily use these figures should be considerably lower and closer to claimed figures.

Where it matters

Arriving at Serendipity 4x4 track, we were let loose on some proper 4x4 terrain. Under the guidance of the Land Rover Experience instructors, we traversed a very rocky water crossing with aplomb. Following the water wading waited a cross axle slippery incline. This obstacle was disposed of with extreme ease. Following some more cross axle and rough terrain, including towing a 480kg trailer up a cross axle obstacle, with only the All-Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) doing the work, only steering input from the driver needed.

In short the All New Discovery breezed through the 4x4 track, with ample assistance from the Terrain Response 2 system. Showcasing that it has plenty more in reserve to tackle and conquer any terrain thrown at it. In conclusion it has proved that the All New Discovery can and will live up to its predecessors.

Spirit of Adventure

With the formalities of 4x4 antics behind us, we set off once again for an epic trek across the open plains of the North West Province. Making use of a mix between tar and gravel roads through proper African Bushveld. This made us feel like true Kingsley Holgate explorers, echoing the same conditions that the Holgate expedition would encounter on their upcoming Africa adventure.

The sun was just dipping below the horizon, with incredible hues of orange, as we arrived at our tented camp. Even though it was a long and hard trek, I was not all weary, mostly attributed to the comfort that the Discovery offers the occupants. After scouting our accommodations, in the form of the most perfect tented camp set up for us want to be explorers, we gathered at the central area of the camp around a huge African camp fire, where Kingsley and his son Ross enthralled us with entertaining stories of their life as explorers, thus giving us a glimpse into the life that the Discovery, and Land Rover has given them over the many years of exploring deep jungles and deepest Africa.

Their stories covered many areas of their travels, the good and the bad however the common thread woven through these tales and adventures is how much Land Rover has added and given to their ability to carry out these expeditions and humanitarian efforts across the globe.

Final Verdict

Trying to describe the full extend and awe inspiring adventures of Kingsley and Ross Holgate would not be possible in a few words. What can be said is that one every single one of these expeditions a trusty Land Rover was part of the mix, through all the highs and lows, through jungles and mud ridden impassable roads. The mere fact that the Holgate’s entrust their lives on the All New Discovery speaks volumes of the capabilities of this new edition to the Discovery family.

Having said that, when the All New Discovery can handle all that an explorer of the calibre of Mr Holgate will throw at it, then it will quite easily handle everyday exploits of us normal mortals. Be it regular commuting in total comfort, weekend adventures with the family, exploring off the beaten track or towing a boat on sandy tweespoor roads.

I am looking forward to get my hands on the All New Discovery for a proper test, in order to really engage this engineering masterpiece.

Models and Pricing as driven at the launch

Discovery 5 TDV6 HSE Luxury 4WD Auto	R 1 608 918. 00
Discovery 5 Si6 4WD Auto	R 1 457 900. 00

  

Prices as tested, vehicles were fitted with options.

Written by Adriaan Jooste – Complete4x4

Photographs credit and copyright Rob Till