Hi Everyone,

I have a 2022 Discovery (4-cylinder, P300) that I special ordered and am very pleased with it. I have been watching a lot of off-road videos and noticed a lot of references and instructions to utilize the two-speed transfer case. Fast forward through numerous rebuilds on the configurator and reviewing my own build sheet and there is not an option for the low/high range transfer box for the 4-cylinder Discovery. However, the low/high range transfer box option IS available for the Defender 4-cylinder P300 in the respective configurator. Relative to the Discovery, the low/high range transfer box option is only available for the P360.

Any ideas why LR did this? Obviously besides the logic to push customers up to the P360.

 

Any suggestions or thougths?

 

I think it was standard before MY23. Not sure if it was in P300 though. I remember P300 didn't have option for rear diff locker and it might be because of this.

 

I wouldn't get too concerned about having or not having the two speed transfer case unless you plan to take it on serious off-road trails.
Last summer I climbed to the top of a definite 4 wheel drive trail in the San Juan Mountains in Colorado. This trail had some steep climbs and high clearance rocks.
I've done it before a few times in my LR3 with no problem. When I got to the top in my D5 I realized I had forgotten to engage low range - it didn't matter, it never struggled or slipped.
Low range did help it go back down with less braking on the steepest grades where even 1st gear was too fast in high range.
And I know that it's much easier on the transmission if you climb in low range instead of having torque converter slippage.
But if you only go off road occaisionally, or not too severely, you'll never need low range.
I doubt when it comes time to trade it in or sell it that it will matter much to the buyer - a few may turn away but many won't even notice.
All that said, if I were buying another Land Rover I'd want the two speed transfer case.

 

My guess is has to do with JLR moving gradually to position the Discovery as an urban SUV. The Defender is supposed to be the most rugged car in the line up, so the idea that there would be no low range would probably be called out as heresy (the fact that there is a new Defender is considered heretic by some already...). There's probably a better chance of a Defender owner taking it off the beaten path than a Discovery owner, hence you can get rid of the two speed transfer case and improve the car's profit margin. Personally I prefer to have the low range option, so when I replace our 2017 D5 (hopefully sometime this year) it will be for a P360.

 

thanks for all the feedback! I have taken my D5 offroad occasionally and nothing too serious and have been very pleased; minus getting stuck in the mud but that's my fault between not having enough momentum and failing to read/walk the ground before embarking! The car is very capable but the driver (me!) needs to catch up, hence the reading and watching of offroad tutorial videos.

I am just more surprised that there wasn't an option (for more $$$ of course) presented in the configurator for the two-speed transfer case and additional rear locking differential. I guess that is how LR pushes you up to the P360. thanks again!