Still Looks Good After 60 Years

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday May 10, 2008

David Berthon

LAND ROVER is enjoying unprecedented success, with sales up by more than 70 per cent on last year. Drive-away deals on its best-selling Discovery 3 four-wheel-drive wagon range mean discounts of more than $9000.

Purnell Bros at Arncliffe has the best savings on the 2.7-litre V6 turbo diesel six-speed automatic - $64,500, down by $9440. Metallic paint adds $1700.

The winner of the Australian motoring clubs' Best All-Terrain vehicle for the past two years, the turbo diesel Discovery S is highly equipped.

Standard features on this five-seater include eight airbags, stability control, anti-lock ventilated disc brakes, climate-control air-conditioning, 17-inch alloy wheels with a full-sized alloy spare, leather interior and cruise control.

Other features include a six-speaker audio system, leather upholstery, a 65-35 split-folding rear seat, electronic park brake and halogen headlights.

The constant all-wheel-drive with electronically controlled centre differential also has a quick-release tow ball receiver and wiring sockets. Maximum towing weight with a braked trailer is 3500kg, while unbraked it is 750kg.

Land Rover dealers also have the 4.0-litre V6 Discovery SE six-speed automatic for $64,990, a saving of $8000.

The petrol SE model has a third-row seat with the second row split 35-30-35 for easy rear access, larger 18-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, front fog lamps and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.

As with all seven-seat Discoverys, it has an electronic Terrain Response feature that allows you to key-in up to five driving settings, such as cruising or off-roading on grass and snow, mud and ruts, sand or rocks.

The system reconfigures the engine, transmission, suspension and traction settings to suit the driving conditions. The Discovery SE seven-seater also has an electronic cross-linked air suspension system - the computer-controlled air springs ensure a level ride height regardless of load.

On April 30, Land Rover celebrated the 60th anniversary of the first production model. The trusty Land Rover, billed as the "farmer's friend", arrived here after World War II - more than 800 were used on the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme.

The Land Rover Discovery appeared as a three-door in late 1989; a five-door variant followed a year later and the popular Discovery 3 arrived late in 2004.

Discovery sales in the first four months have grown by 35.9 per cent over the same period last year.

DRIVE A BARGAIN

Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited turbo diesel 4WD wagon, $68,990 drive-away, all Jeep dealers. 3.0-litre V6, five-speed automatic, six airbags, stability control, leather upholstery, power sunroof, parking sensors, alloy wheels, cruise control, power front seats. Save $7000.

Citroen C5 turbo diesel sedan, $49,990 drive-away, all Citroen dealers. 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel, six-speed automatic, seven airbags, stability control, cruise control, leather trim plus $2000 BP fuel card. Save $6000.

Toyota Corolla Ascent sedan and hatch, $21,009 drive-away, Western Toyota, Guildford. 1.8-litre four-cylinder, five-speed manual, dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, CD player with MP3 compatibility, front power windows, remote central locking. Save $3102.

Hyundai Tucson City SX five-seat wagon, $23,790 drive-away, Truscott's Toyota, Five Dock. 2.0-litre four-cylinder, five-speed manual, dual airbags, cruise control, 16-inch alloy wheels, engine immobiliser. Save a further $1200 on current factory drive-away deal, stability control not included.

Land Rover and Jaguar were recently sold to the Indian conglomerate Tata Motors for about $2.4 billion.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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