Date: Thu, 21 Sep 95 11:28:22 PDT From: Bennett Leeds (bennett@mv.us.adobe.com) Subject: Comparison of '95 and '96 DiscoveriesPerusing the '95 and '96 Discovery brochures, I came across the following differences. I have not yet driven a '96 to compare the performance directly, however. Comments welcome:
Although the engine size appears at first to have increased from 3.9 to 4.0 liters, it's actually just increased by 0.003 liters (3947cc to 3950cc). Ah, the wonders of numerical rounding!
As reported here earlier, maximum torque is up only 1 ft-lb. However, it occurs 100 rpm sooner - perhaps an indication of more low end oomph. Official gas mileage is 1 mpg better in the city on the '96s.
In the suspension section, the '96 brochure lists sway bars for both front and rear while the '95 brochure does not. Are sway bars, in fact, new for '96? The '95 I drove on curvy roads did lean alot and my experience with other cars is that swar bars help a lot. However, I've heard that they sometimes interfere with off-road performance. Comments?
Tires are either the same Michelins or Goodyear Eagle GT+4 M+S: any ideas on which is better?
Curb weight on the vehicle has increase fro 4379 lbs to 4465 lbs, but gross vehicle weight remains the same at 6019 lbs.
Angle of approach has increased from 33 degrees to 38 degrees while angle of departure has increased from 24 degrees to 28 degrees. In the front I assume this is due to a redesign of the spoiler (which now accomdates optional fog lamps, btw). Don't know about the rear.
Sound system has two additional tweeters, mounted in the front A pillars. The optional CD changer goes under the passenger seat now. The rear view mirror has a switchable auto dimming feature. Visors have mirrors with lights. The rear lights now have turn indicators up top as well as in the bumper.
The power seats are much more comfortable (to my butt and back, anyway) than the '95s manually adjusted seats. They slide futher back and the base tilts.
Now the bad news: the dealer invoice on a fully loaded '96 is about $2000 more than a fully loaded '95 - due mostly to more options being included (power seats, fog lamps, rear step, fancier wheels).
However, the worst news is that just below the stereo receiver, on a flat horizontal part of the dash, dead center, is some garbage safety warning about seat belts! And, it doesn't appear to be an easily removed sticker. Of course, this doesn't appear in the brochure photos...
- Bennett Leeds bennett@mv.us.adobe.com