Land Rover Discovery II Td5 (2001). Imposing and powerful chameleon

Today, the Land Rover Discovery is an off-road vehicle, where the chic character predominates. But there was also a time when Land Rover constructed the Discovery in such a way that no setting was foreign to it. Then you talk about the period around the turn of the millennium and before. We drove during the first Over de Heg Tour with a Discovery II Td5 SLS in company version. The car belongs to Gerard Kramer, and has almost five tons on the clock. He impressed.

This pre-facelift Discovery II is such a youngtimer that falls within the 'boss above boss' category, along with the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and every Toyota Landcruiser. This category of cars shares a constant. The 4 x 4 concepts increasingly took off their functional jacket and gradually moved (partly) towards luxury. And all without losing their unadulterated work ethic. The Land Rover Discovery II that we use as a photography vehicle during the tour is almost the ideal combination. With this second generation, the British makers certainly succeeded in combining courtesy with an unadulteratedly powerful appearance, without wanting to make a flash. Natural leadership. Something like that.

The Land Rover has everything on board to make the occupants happy, at the same time the frills and the premium experience have been neutralized. You can see that the makers certainly did not skimp on equipment, but it is all presented in a relatively modest way. In one way or another it all fits with this Land Rover, which also shows on the outside that the cheese slicer was not used anywhere, and that the buyer really wanted to provide a well-maintained car. This is how they constructed a car that is able to impress both in a Hornbach outfit and in a neat suit. Yay yippee yippee yay.

Impression, that's what this Disco also makes on the road. When you are so high above ground level, you simply feel like the king on the throne. This car automatically transfers that feeling to you, and that is quite nice. The throne offers excellent handling thanks to its air suspension. You feel inviolable, the Land Rover gives you the feeling that it is able to withstand any natural counterforce and split it in two. You are on the road with a very solid, heavy and strongly built car. That is not a surprise, but you are constantly aware of it.

Meanwhile, the diesel engine is of an impeccable kind, which also seems to be built for eternal life. After five tons on the counter, the 2.5 Td5 self-igniter (a modified Rover product, 315 Nm torque, 136 DIN hp)) still performs well, you do not notice that the wear is over. And that in the knowledge that he was never spared, because he attracted many supporters with a beautiful classic on it to the home base in Wolvega. It is also striking that the accelerator pedal has a long stroke. When you are halfway, you will notice an increase in power from the power source, for which the Discovery Td5 ripples on very quietly.

But you can also let the 22-year-old Disco accelerate at an acceptable pace, although you will of course notice that the Turbodiesel in the front has to take a few extra steps. But the beautifully running five-in-line (that remains a wonderful sound) does that in a civilized, almost cultivated way. The fine sound penetrates the well-insulated interior in an acceptable manner. The engine is not economical. Consumption is around 1 on 10/11. For those who are concerned about emissions: there are now very nice and clean diesel alternatives, also on a synthetic basis. That objection - if it exists at all - can therefore be overboard. More troubling is that you have to avoid the city because of the Euro 3 standard. Whoever is in the market for this configuration should take this seriously into account. On the other hand, it was never the intention of Land Rover to turn this car into a city hopper.

What is striking is how childishly simple this mastodon is in its controls and further operation. The angular construction is good for numerous marking points, you can easily estimate any distance from all angles. An evasive maneuver on a narrow path is child's play, and so is a parking maneuver. You will be treated to an excellent overview in this Discovery. What is also particularly attractive is the simplicity of the operation of various buttons and levers. You can find practically everything by touch, and that is really a plus in this car, which of course also has that flawlessly working 4 x 4 on board.

We don't really get the opportunity to appreciate the historical reputation during the tour, although you do experience a very balanced grip. And in addition, we have to leave the asphalt a few times, into the swampy verge. You immediately notice that the forces are neatly distributed. Child's play, of course, for the Disco, which is also made to conquer harsh surfaces.

The Discovery, Series II. You get what you see and you see what you get. This is a car you can count on in all conditions. A car too, with which you can drive up at any opportunity. Whether for a job on marshy ground or for a chic party: it fits everywhere. A Discovery of this generation is the chameleon with eternal life. And this generation also tells what it is meant for. It is the ideal middle ground between the luxury Range Rovers and the more utilitarian Defenders and predecessors of the time.

We rarely drove a car that felt so fresh and determined after five tons on the clock. Gerard Kramer takes good care of this car, but the state of maintenance is not the only cause of its current condition. That also has to do with build quality. And that is just one of the conditions that ensures that this Discovery will remain with us for many years to come. This copy is a youngtimer in the prime of its life, which will soon effortlessly achieve classic status. There's no doubt about it. Simply because this Discovery leaves no trace of doubt.