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2005 Land Rover LR3: Creative Addiction
Just as Jay-Z can provoke an entire audience with one
trend-setting, poetic verse, it didn’t take long for the British
truck maker, Land Rover, to convince me that their completely new
LR3 is one of the most prolific tri-athletes to ever dominate the
sport of SUVs. Does four hours seem long when you’re test-driving
and evaluating a new vehicle? Not exactly. Especially since some new
products require weeks and months of seat time before you can adequately
verify their performance and qualities. But when those four hours
happen to occur on one of the most ludicrous and inconceivable places
you expect take a vehicle -- and the vehicle escapes without harm
– then you have no choice but to give it props as well as the
title.
Land Rover, the holy grail of the luxury sport-ute market, did more
than its share of homework with the manifestation of the LR3, the
Discovery’s new and improved replacement. They also completed
the homework assignments of the competition to the point of elimination.
And if you take a very close look, you’ll see that the LR3 really
doesn’t have any competition. And like Sean Carter (Jay-Z),
they have completely flipped the alter ego of what sports and utility
used to be. For one, the name has been changed from Discovery to LR3
to ensure that current brand-loyal customers and new recruits understand
that the LR3 is not a fresher version of the Discovery. Now, alphanumeric
categorizing will play bigger roles in the Land Rover family. Yet
Range Rover, an almost entirely separate trademark, will keep its
label. Secondly, you’re not going to find a more noble vehicle;
with a powerful V8, valiant interior packaging, three rows of seating,
and superior off-road technology that is priced from the mid 40s.
First things first: the LR3 is as performance-oriented as Terrel
Owens scooting down the sidelines after a grab from McNabb. A stronger
4.4-liter V8 from Jaguar (Ford fathers both) has assumed the mantle
and is Land Rover’s strongest engine yet. It produces 300-horspower
and torque is rated at 315 pound-feet. Sorry to say Mr. Carter, but
make sure you get your change because the LR3 now tops the Range by
18 horses. It’s also endowed with a ZF 6-speed electronic automatic
“Command Shift” transmission. On pavement, the LR3 is
quick and imparts a great feeling of control.
  
 
We all know, hopefully, how exquisite and mystic the
Range Rover looks. Indeed, it’s high-priced, but still remains
at the top of Automotive Rhythm’s style chart. Why do you think
Jay-Z requested the Range Stormer concept for one of his video shoots?
Well, the LR3 inherits some of the same flavor. More so in the front
with its flat, vertical grill. The rest of the body is pretty straight
up and down with vertical lines and square angles. Now the LR3 is
less safari looking than the Discovery. The roof is unique with extra
long glass panels that spread over the optional third row. Its split
tailgate is cool because it opens in two sections. My only exterior
complaint is the wheel well covers resemble a pair of baggy jeans
under an Italian suit jacket. The plastic/vinyl just doesn’t
mix with the LR3’s upper-class appearance.
There are two LR3 models to choose from -- SE and HSE. The SE is
well enhanced while the HSE offers a little more grace. Let’s
begin with the most important, but least respected feature -- the
seats. The leather seats are comfortable, have armrests and are perforated
for natural air filtering. When you put in seven hours of continuous
driving, trust me, the seats become your best friend. In addition,
seat row height is staggered, so all occupants get a theater view
of the road ahead. And the back (3rd row) is surprisingly comfortable.
The high ceiling negates the effects of claustrophobia, and knee room
is excellent. You even get your own audio controls with the upgraded
550-watt 14-speaker Harmon/Kardon LOGIC7 surround system. The LR3’s
long, robotic dash is very active and uses an array of easy-adjusting
switches. A 6-disc, in-dash CD changer is standard while the touch-screen
DVD-based navigation system is optional. Most of the dash controls
can be operated on the thick, multi-function steering wheel.
Now for the fun! Land Rover decided to bring us out to French Canadian
territory to show off the LR3’s “Crouching Tiger”
off-road technique. This area, Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello in Quebec,
is also home to one of two Land Rover driving schools in North America.
The training centers were conceived to demonstrate the four-wheel-drive
capabilities of Land Rovers. All I know is that the challenging course
took hours to complete. In my path were pointy rocks, muddy pools,
narrow log bridges, steep dips, and uphill battles. So of course there
was no turning back once we got started. No problemo! Under the LR3’s
skin is an advanced AWD drive system, an air suspension which clears
10-inches and stores five key drive modes called Terrain Response,
and the LR3 has the ability to swim with the fishies in 24”
of water. Hill Descent Control, Electric Brakeforce Distribution,
Emergency Brake Assist, and Dynamic Stability Control round out on
and off road performance enhancers. It may sound confusing, but each
safety technology helps to keep the driving environment as safe as
possible at all times. Terrain Response is like putting on athletic
shoes depending on the sport. It uses five modes that can be manually
set for optimal responsiveness. Like cleats for football and soccer
players or spikes for sprinters, Terrain Response can be adjusted
to handle slippery, rocky, sandy, wet, or rocky situations.
In the end, I determined that the LR3’s bite
is for sure louder than its bark. After ripping asphalt, crushing
land, and pounding the outback with controlled aggression, the LR3
powerhouse won my allegiance. For $44,995 (SE)/$49,995 (HSE) it just
may win yours.
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