2004 Saturn VUE Red Line - 2004 Saturn VUE Related Links Get Pricing Get E-mail Updates Consumer Ratings Vehicle Reviews Send a Letter Talk About It 2004 Saturn VUE. Both FWD and AWD systems are offered, each responding to the fully-independent suspension. 2004 Saturn VUE…
Base Price: $34,350 Standard equipment: ABS, traction control, AM/FM/CD stereo, 8-way adjustable driver's seat and 6-way adjustable passenger seat, dual-zone automatic climate control system, leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel, remote keyless entry, vehicle security system, power windows, rear-window wiper and washer, power-adjustable heated exterior mirrors, cruise control Layout: Permanent four-wheel drive Engine: 4.6-liter V8 Horsepower: 217 @ 4750 rpm Torque: 300 @ 2600 rpm Transmission: Electronically controlled dual mode 4-speed automatic Wheelbase: 100.0 in. Length/width/height: 185.2/74.4/76.4 in. Seating capacity: 7 Head/leg/shoulder room (front): 40.4/42.3/58.3 in. Head/leg/shoulder room (rear): 40.1/37.3/57.3 in. Cargo volume: 63.3 cu. ft. with rear seat folded; 40.5 cu. ft. with rear seat up Suspension: Front solid axle with long-travel, single-rate coil springs; rear solid axle with long-travel, multi-rate coil springs Curb weight: 4,619 lbs. - 4,928 lbs. Towing capacity: Up to 7.700 lbs. Brakes: Four wheel disc with ABS Fuel economy: 12 mpg city/16 mpg highway All prices are Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) effective July, 2002. Prices do not include manufacturer's destination and delivery charges. Manufacturer Info Sources
Although restyled, the face of the new version is instantly recognizable as Land Rover.
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Manchester, VT: This southern Vermont town is a delightful mix of old-school tradition and modern-day amenities. It was here that C.F. Orvis capitalized on the world-class trout streams that meander through the picturesque Green Mountains and set up the well-known and successful Orvis Company, an upscale outfitter, clothing and gear manufacturer and marketer. For the past 150 years, Manchester has been an all-season playground drawing the rich and famous for fly fishing, skiing, mountain climbing and "leaf peeping" in the fall, but over the past two decades, it has also become a center for a more recent cultural attraction--outlet malls. Manchester, Orvis and Land Rover have a lot in common. It's not simply that this British marque set up its first full-time 4WD school here, and offers four-wheel-drive instruction on an 800-acre site with obstacles and wood's trails in addition to driving events that include fly fishing and upscale lodging, but, it is also because this legendary 4 x 4 manufacturer builds vehicles that are a delightful mix of old-school tradition and modern-day technology and amenities. Trying to keep ahead of the curve in the fiercely competitive sport utility vehicle market, Land Rover has now introduced its third generation Discovery model with more than 350 changes that greatly improve its on-road driveability and freshen its exterior and interior, yet retain the off-road heritage that Land Rover is known and respected for around the globe. I should know. I have driven Land Rovers-and the Discovery model-in more than two dozen countries and participated in 4WD adventures in far-flung locations such as Mongolia as well as in Vermont, not far from my home. The redesigned 2003 Discovery marks the third wave of this Brit's North American invasion this year. With a new look on the outside that is borrowed from its upscale sibling, increased power and interior refinements, this mid-sized SUV follows the revamped, luxury-filled Range Rover and the all-new, cute-ute Freelander, both of which have been introduced in recent months in a roll-out plan intended to raise Land Rover's profile in the U.S. Now owned by Ford, Land Rover is in the Premier Automotive Group, along with Jaguar and Aston Martin. The Discovery was first introduced in 1989 as the smaller, sportier and more affordable option for potential Land Rover buyers. But, in its early years, Discovery battled that unique British car affliction: high style and low mechanical reliability. In 1998, the Discovery Series II was introduced as a bigger, better, and more dependable version of the previous compact-SUV. Based on the Series II, with some new styling cues from the 2003 Range Rover, the Series III demonstrates that this lineup has continued to evolve and will clearly appeal to an even wider customer base. Although restyled, the face of the new version is instantly recognizable as Land Rover. Designers borrowed cues from its luxury sibling that include unique twin pocket headlamps and a revised front bumper with integrated foglamps. Retaining its signature stepped roof design, the Discovery still looks familiar but has lost some of the safari-ready ruggedness cues of past versions. Inside, its terrific greenhouse effect remains. A large windshield, as well as roof-mounted windows in the rear corners, a classic touch on this SUV, make for a bright cabin and aid with visibility. Sunroofs are an option. Like the front, the rear end is also freshened, with redesigned taillights that improve the outside visibility of directional and reverse signals. The other main change to the exterior are new wheels - 16" alloys on the basic "S" models and 18-inch alloys on upscale "HSE" Discoverys. The latest Anglo SUV comes equipped with a standard 4.6-liter V8 matched to a four-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive. The V8 is the most recent in a long line of Land Rover's 4-liter motors, and it delivers 217 hp and 300 lb.-ft. of torque -- an improvement in power by 17 percent and toque by 20 percent over last year's model. Top speed is 116 mph, with a 0-60 time just under 9.5 seconds. The automatic transmission has dual-mode functionality: Sport and Manual. Sport, the high range mode, alters throttle response for a better reaction when the driver hits the pedal. Manual, available in the low range, allows the driver to select and hold a gear without shifting, for greater control when needed in off- road settings.
The 2003 Discovery is a far cry from the original, somewhat trucky and, at times, less reliable versions of the late 1980s.
Land Rover's permanent 4WD system has a two-stage transfer gearbox, with high/low shift controlled by a remote, cable-operated shift lever. This helps isolate the transmission from the vehicle interior, so passengers experience less jerkiness. As expected, the inside of the latest Discovery is spacious and attractive, with upgrades that include new interior color schemes and detail upgrades, such as seat stitch patterns. "Land Rover Black" and "Alpaca," the two new color schemes, create two different looks - the black is an all-black finish that looks sophisticated, while Alpaca is an attractive two-toned black-and-tan treatment. Seating up to seven passengers, Discovery includes a host of comfort and convenience features, including "stadium" seating that places each row slightly higher than the one in front of it, and an "alpine" lighting scheme that gives the cabin the look of a spacious, well-lit living room. Second row seats split 60/40 for extra luggage space and third-row seats can be folded and attached securely to the sides of the cargo area when not in use. All seats have three-point safety belts, and child head restraints are integrated into the rear seat. Adult head restraints are stowed in the roof and fold down when needed. Stowage space abounds, including a large front seat center console box, glove box, door bins and roof-mounted storage nets. With the rear seat folded, stowage space is 63.3 cubic feet. The Discovery is available in three trim levels: S, SE and HSE. The S trim level includes faux leather upholstery, 8-way driver adjustable seats, 16-inch alloy wheels and HomeLink ® garage door/gate controls integrated into the rearview mirror. SE adds features such as leather upholstery, burled wood trim, a front seat arm rest, premium audio system with 6-CD changer, sunroofs and 18-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels. HSE boosts the audio system by another hundred watts to a 320-watt, 11-speaker Harmon Kardon version with integrated GPS navigation, active voice commands and steering wheel audio controls. Self-leveling suspension is included in HSE models also, along with six-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels. On the road, a redesigned chassis creates surer footing and better handling. Gone is the "high seas ride" feeling of the past version. This is partly due to a Land-Rover designed system that reduces body lean in cornering through computerized control of suspension-mounted hydraulic actuators that stiffen the suspension when needed to reduce that feeling both on and off the road. In addition, new suspension geometry-where the suspension is mounted to the frame- also creates a smooth, settled feel. Towing capacity is up to an impressive 7700 pounds, with increased stability achieved through Discovery's Self-Leveling Suspension (SLS), another electronically controlled spring system which smoothes out bumps especially when the tow load is heavy. A notable feature is controls for adjusting the vehicle height - the Discovery's air suspension can be lifted or lowered approximately four inches to accommodate big bumps off-road, or to make hitching a trailer or unloading goods easier. Four wheel disc, anti-lock brakes and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution are standard on all Discoverys, along with electronic traction control and hill descent control, which supplements normal braking downhill, locking the transmission into a 5-mph speed on descent. In addition to improved handling, the newest Land Rover is designed for less noise, vibration and harshness than past models. This has been addressed through far better wheel balancing, a revised transfer box and improved overall fit and finish on the exterior. The 2003 Discovery is a far cry from the original, somewhat trucky and, at times, less reliable versions of the late 1980s. The new model delights with more power, more refinement in its ride and handling and more amenities, plus carries over its true 4WD heritage and capability for the back woods of Vermont, or where ever you travels might take you locally or around the globe. Available this July in North America, the new Discovery Series III is priced at $34,350 for the basic "S" model, up to $40,350 for the high-end "HSE." We predict they won't last long, even at these mid-range luxury prices.
--Story by Sue Mead
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