dubbs wrote:

So what tech would we like to see, and think we will see in the new D5?

My starter for ten....


1. Auto terrain response
2. Self park
3. In car wifi
4. Satnav linked to google maps technology
5. Transparent bonnet technology
6. Panoramic roof
7. Electric in built tow hook
8. Lane control
9. Adaptive cruise control (radar)
10. Electric boot mechanisms

RRSTDV8 wrote:

Satnav using Google?

RRSTDV8 wrote:

That type of list is exactly why the D5 will be over priced and less practical than the D4. Much of that list is urban-centric. Satnav using Google? Great where there is perfect mobile signal but useless elsewhere. Self contained Satnav such as Copilot is much more robust. Self park? Really? In car WiFi is another "yummy mummy" urban thing. Transparent bonnet is a nice idea but...

Fully adaptive cruise with queue assist is very useful. The old adaptive cruise on my RRS is very goodbut lacks total stop/queue assist.

Too much of LR's tech is focussed on the school run - just adds cost without 4x4 practicality.

TR with lockable differentials as standard, flat folding seats, decent adaptive cruise control, fully driver selectable suspension adjustment. That would do. Just add excellent climate control, fully adjustable front seats in all trim levels and a half decent stereo. Oh and top quality headlights too please.

Have to say I don't agree with you there... even though some of that tech is over the top and not something necessarily on my wish list, I do believe we'll see some of it introduced.

Google integration - this layers information over an existing system and doesn't replace it - therefore where many of us use these vehicles for commercial, extended leisure pursuits, etc., the google traffic information is far and away better than TMC therefore very useful. The more you look in to the technology the more it can assist - sure it needs a reasonable data signal but it AUGMENTS existing functionality, it doesn't replace it - Audi and BMW already use the tech to good effect, just because LRs may be used in rural settings it would be pure idiocy to not utilise tech that 80-90% of owners would use.

I also believe that just because something is modern and useful to a sub set of owners it shouldn't be tarred with the "school run" many of those items are useful to anyone BUT the school runners.

In car wi-fi is very useful on long journeys where the D5 is being used to tow across continents or other scenarios, can be handy for passenger looking up POIs whilst the driver is busy piloting.

Self-park - yes I agree I can't stand it either but I can see this being something they will add as the tech is becoming so cheap to enable and comes with a fair degree of reliability these days.

I think you need to look at the market as a whole - far more people want an SUV with 4x4 capability over and above a parred down mud plugger - if you want a parred down mud plugger then the Discovery has never been that - it has always been a vehicle that opened up the 4x4 sector to the masses - in fact in many ways X5, Q7, etc., would never have existed without the Discovery opening up that market by bringing a level of road manners and luxury (to ever increasing degrees) to the sector.

When we consider the kind of people that want this car, and what they want to do with it (for example mine is more a practical car for camping, dogs, tin tent towing, bit of leisure 4x4, and a luxury barge with immense comfort and practicality) then the technology and application of it makes total sense.

As times move on, easy application of luxury, technology,etc., has developed the car to where it is today (my HSE Lux is far and above more luxurious and gadget-ridden than my 07 FFRR was)

The new Defender will be there to cater for those of us that would have a current defender if it wasn't so compromised as an everyday vehicle. Everything on your list I would expect a Defender to have at a minimum.

As I said in a post a while back, like it or not, our Discovery is now what the FFRR used to be. The FFRR is now a Bentley chaser and a different beast altogether.

I don't believe any of that technology needs to reduce the practicality of what we'd all like from a Discovery.

Of course, just an opinion

Guy wrote:

RRSTDV8 wrote:

Satnav using Google?

I'd rather see a way of loading hi-res Ordnance Survey mapping onto the satnav. That would be much more useful in the field...

I'd really like OS maps too, but I do think Del has hit the nail... An alternative solution will usually prove more reliable and/or functional than built in equiptment unless the built in stuff is for a core, basic purpose.

Broadly speaking, I would not want to see cars being made with major third party services built in. A basic solution like TMC is easy to implement and sustain, keeping a Google Maps based system going would probably require significant attention and complex security measures.

Quote:

In car wi-fi is very useful on long journeys where the D5 is being used to tow across continents or other scenarios, can be handy for passenger looking up POIs whilst the driver is busy piloting.

Is there any need though? The car can't generate WiFi from thin air, so laptops and phones have direct access to the same thing. A simple, basic anntena system might, of course, be useful though, but again faster coverage is increasing rapidly.

My opinion is that perhaps the best three things on my D3, are the sunroof, logic 7 system, and adaptive lights, all of which are associated with the top spec model - the stuff in between is neither here nor there. So much technology "might" be useful, but is also easily rendered unnecessary buy other things (like smartphones etc.). Car equiptment needs to be designed in such a way as to be the stuff that you really need in a car, and that only the car can provide/provide well. That's the stuff that needs attention and is worth paying for.

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