Count on the 2010 Land Rover LR4

How much can technology improve one's driving skills? How much can gadgetry make up for the time and effort good drivers put into being good at driving?

I've seen people doing wonders with cars that have barely more than the bare basics and I've seen terrible drivers driving the most technologically advanced gadget-filled automobiles known to mankind. How much advancement is then necessary?

I'm really not against the idea of putting in more and more gadgets into an automobile, but one should be clear when advertising what advanced features are and what safety features are.

For example, is a lane change assist feature a necessity? I would say that it's a great feature if the driver is good and doesn't need it. Why would anyone need a feature like that to rely on? Aren't we supposed to change lanes using the mirrors and shoulder checks? Why rely on electronics that come fitted with disclaimers that indemnify the manufacturer from any losses that arise due to sole dependence on them? Of course it's really great to list them as complementary features that good drivers can sensibly use without complete reliance on them, but how much of its real value is communicated tothe users?

Gadgetry again is a whole lot different from the real safety features like ABS, Traction Control and ESP systems that make cars a lot safer than they were few years ago.

Anyway, let's keep all that aside for now and look at the new 2010 Land Rover LR4. I've quite liked the LR3 and the earlier Discovery models. They have a great heritage and character and no matter how electronically sophisticated they get, they remind me of the brand that still makes the legendary Defender.

The LR embodies an off-road spirit which is rare in the 4x4 market these days. They have a blend of ruggedness and sophistication in a very functional package and that makes them quite desirable to most off-road enthusiasts.

The LR4 is no different in its off-road appeal. It feels a lot like the LR3, just more powerful and a little more sophisticated.

The new 5.0 litre V8 engine is capable of 508Nm of torque and 375bhp which is quite an upgrade from the 4.4 litre V8 of the LR3. The engine is now mated to a smoother 6-speed automatic gearbox that complements the larger engine.

The interiors look and feel good with well laid out controls. The finish seems better than the LR3 although the appeal is quite the same - a refined off-roader for people who like to wear a suit to a barbecue dinner.

The suspension controls and off-road mode selectors remain the same as the LR3. The multimedia and navigation interface is new and improved as well with a 5" TFT Screen and exclusive iPod connectivity.

The seats are comfortable and the amount of legroom for the driver and all passengers is quite generous.

Other interesting features include the Auto High Beam assist and Towing assist. The Towing assist helps perform more accurate towing actions and also provides info on Trailer stability and oscillations.

The suspension, as Land Rover claims, has been revised on the LR4 for better handling and dynamics. However, my observation is that it feels quite the same as the LR3 when it comes to on-road handling.

The rather tall structure of the LR4 makes it feel a little ungainly on road especially during quick lane changes. This however is not a safety concern, but just the way the adjustable suspension handles the weight of the car when pushed around a bit.

High speed stability and steering response is good and so is the straight road driving comfort. SUVs were never built for super precise and very stable curve handling any way.

Acceleration owing to the new engine is a lot better and the LR4 does the claimed 7.9 second 0-100km/h sprint quite effortlessly.

The one thing I noticed with the LR models is the amount of nose dive and lift while braking and accelerating. This is something the adjustable suspension, advantageous in many ways, has to put up with.

For off roaders, a new feature called ‘Sand Launch Control' has been introduced on the LR4 which enables the vehicle to drive away a lot easier on soft sand.

The LR's standard Terrain Response seems a lot more functional now with the increased power available from the new V8.

To summarise, the 2010 LR4 is gadget laden and mechanically improved. This offers gadget lovers a better set of features to talk about and real off-roaders a few more options to refine their driving abilities.

The LR4 is undoubtedly a good off-roader and when its capabilities are utilised by the right kind of driver, this 4x4 delivers as promised.