Performance Review: Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 - [2004]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Land-Rover Discovery Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2004. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 and the 2005 SSC Aero SC 8T 6.3L.This particular Land-Rover Discovery has a 4394cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Discovery shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Discovery's All Wheel Drive, SUV combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2461 kgs (5425 lbs) this makes the Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 or the give or take 50kg.

The Land-Rover Discovery shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 4394cc 32V V8 engine produces 300 bhp (223 kW) @ 5400 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 315 lb-ft (427.0 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Land-Rover Discovery you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (146.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Land-Rover Discovery.

The Land-Rover Discovery has a Power to weight ratio of 121.9 bhp per ton and 127.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2004 Discovery competing with the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (146.9 bhp per ton) or the 1964 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS 283 V8 Turbo Fire (146.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Land-Rover Discovery generating around 127.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1989 Lexus LS 400 4.0 V8 (152.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1986 Saab 9000 2.0 Turbo (152.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.8 secs, this made the Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 as fast as the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 (8.50 secs) the 2000 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 150 (8.50 secs) the 1997 Peugeot 306 2.0 XSi (8.50 secs) the or the 1992 Ford Escort XR3i (8.50 secs). This Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 is also faster than the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (8.60 secs) the 2006 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8 (8.60 secs) the 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Sport (8.60 secs) the and the 2003 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 FSI (8.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Discovery and the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport Trophy 182

When talking about the performance of the Land-Rover Discovery on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.95 secs @ 85.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport Trophy 182 (15.88 secs), the 2011 Infiniti FX 37 3.7 V6 (15.88 secs), and the 2018 BMW X7 M50d 3.0 Turbo (15.88 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2004 version of the Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 has a maximum speed of 121mph.

Top Speed of the 2004 Discovery equals the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (132 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2004 Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 then how about the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (132 mph), the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (132 mph), or the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (132 mph).

Related Links:

2004 Discovery Rivals List.

A Brief History of Land-Rover

Car Comparison