Driving the FL2 this afternoon started to think back few years to my First Discovery a 1993 K reg D1 and my Last discovery 2 from 2000 and wondered HOW the FL2 compares with them....
What size engines did they have? and what can they tow ? how does MPG compare etc etc...

How far have we moved on from 1993 and 2000? The Discovery 3 and discovery 4 have grown in size and power so much I wonder if the FL2 is the same or equivelent to the old D1 and D2??

Anyone have any figures....?? Sept 1 2010 Now the PROUD owner of Galway Green Auto Diesel HSE

My knowledge of discos is very limted. I believe the disco 2 had the same TD5 engine they used to put in the Defender around the same time. Not sure about actual figures but www.parkers.co.uk is useful for facts and figures.

The FL2 has a far more modern and far more refined engine. The FL2 is quieter, smoother, faster and more economical than the old disco's and its even up there with the modern discos. The FL2 SD4 is quicker than the 3.0 TDV6 disco 4.

The thing to remember is that discos are very heavy and this affects fuel consumption. The discos will tow approx 3.5 tonnes, much more than the FL2 but that is down to the sheer size of the disco and kerb weight of the vehicle etc.

Hope this helps  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

The FL2 TD4 by the way has 160bhp and 295lb ft of torque from a 2.2.
The 2011 model has 10 less bhp but slightly more torque (not sure about actual figures) and the new SD4 has 190bhp and approx 320lb ft of torque I think. Owners of those would tell you better.

Either way a vast improvement engine wise over the old discos. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Doctor...many thanks....that was intresting... I was wondering when I had Discos years ago and now have the FL2 how they compaded overall.... the fl2 is quicker than the 3lit D4? I think they have kept making discos larger and heavier and thats been a down side to them...the fl2 would compare better over the original Range Rovers? 1970 to say 1990?

I havent got a tow bar on my FL2 but think it would tow 2.5 ton? cant remeber what my original D1 used to tow but id guess about the same Sept 1 2010 Now the PROUD owner of Galway Green Auto Diesel HSE

yaugher wrote:

Doctor...many thanks....that was intresting... I was wondering when I had Discos years ago and now have the FL2 how they compaded overall.... the fl2 is quicker than the 3lit D4? I think they have kept making discos larger and heavier and thats been a down side to them...the fl2 would compare better over the original Range Rovers? 1970 to say 1990?

I havent got a tow bar on my FL2 but think it would tow 2.5 ton? cant remeber what my original D1 used to tow but id guess about the same

Often I drive together with disco 1 and 2 to some offroad trips. The engine power of Fl2 vs. Disco 1 with 300tdi engine; Fl2 is much stronger. On steep hills people are impressed with climb performance of Fl2.

Size wise both fl2 and disco 1 are roughly same size, where disco 2 appears somewhat bigger.

Offroad performance wise is the fl2 much lower than both discos, so this is the only limiting factor. However the disco 1 of the friend I drive with is modifified from factory height. 2010 Freelander 2 Select TD4 auto....gone
2011 Freelander 2 TD4 auto ...current

I had a D1 3.5 LPG conversion until a couple of years ago, I can tell you the FL2 tows better and has more pulling power. Try to accelerate up those hills out of Whitby with a 1.5 ton caravan on the back and the D1 struggles in high ratio, the FL2 does it with ease.

thank you Scrimple and winter mute....very interesting.... Sept 1 2010 Now the PROUD owner of Galway Green Auto Diesel HSE

I had a TD5 manual, had a new geabox under warranty, (should have listened to others and taken the auto though). The Freely is a much better vehicle for towing even though it tows a lot less with a 1500kgs trailer it would just plod along at a steady pace, thing was with the five speed box it was pain, at 60mph it was happyily going along but when it came to a hill you had to let it get down to 40mph to drop a cog by then you had lost your momentum where as the Freely you can sit with the trailer at 60mph when the revs start to drop on the hills you can just go down a cog and still maintain 60mph. I had it tweaked to 154bhp but it was still not a patch on the Freelander. p****d off with a Digital Keyboard Warrior

ad210....when i tow with a fl2 it it a total of 2 ton including trailer? or 2 ton on the triailer?

even tho mpg with auto isnt as good as manual id still go for auto everytime.... Sept 1 2010 Now the PROUD owner of Galway Green Auto Diesel HSE

Have to agree, I have seen the light and gone with an auto this time  p****d off with a Digital Keyboard Warrior

I had 2 D1s and then a G4 D2 before my FL2.
FL2 is physically about the same footprint as the D1 but not as high. It is lighter than any of the Discos and has pretty near the same torque as the Td5 hence better economy (ave 39 instead of 29) anmd more fun to drive.
The clever TR technology is impressive and gives the car offroad ability close to the Disco although my D2 ended up with BFG ATs and with its centre difflock and traction control was marginally better. Ground clearance ce is the thing I miss most but that is part of the reason that FL2 slips through the air mroe quickley, more quietly and more economically; that an a low ratio for craawling - still you can't have everything!
In terms of interior equipment, sound system. comfort and class, the FL2 is loads better and no trim squeaks yet after 50000 miles. Gone... 2013 XS TD4 Manual Firenze Red
Gone... 2008 (09MY) XS Td4 Manual Stornaway Grey
Prior... 2003 G4 Discovery 2, 1998 Disco 1 and 1997 Disco 1 Company car before that
Also gone in Nov'13, after 7.5 yrs, to new owners with time for more TLC - 1980 Series III 88
Current 2015 Discovery Sport HSE 2.0

Chris B thanks very interesting to read that. My first disco 1 had terrible build quality ! but as i loved it i guess I put up with it.... Sept 1 2010 Now the PROUD owner of Galway Green Auto Diesel HSE

The max the FL can tow is 2 tons on the tow bar, whether it's a trailer with a load on it or a 2 ton caravan, the total isn't supposed to go over 2 tons.

But the FL fair's OK with a touch more on though

We had D1's and 2's, the 2 being a 4 litre V8 and the economy when towing was into single figures on that and it seemed to struggle.

The FL's n a completely different league. We also had a D3 before the FL and am not disappointed or feel short changed in any way going from the Disco to the Freelander  Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

Lets not forget that FL2 is monocoque with a S Max floorpan. Disco used the same under chassis as R/R; a ruddy great H shaped piece of angle iron made by GKN to which the body was bolted onto. Fabulous. Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.