Member Since: 08 May 2007
Location: Randburg
Posts: 790
SQ - ie Stupid Question
Fitted number plates to my new D3 today. SQ is: "Why is the tailgate designed with the "S" curve?" Seems like it is only to fit rear number plate - I know in some countries these plates are quite big - surely it cannot be the reason. When tailgate is open one (shorties) battles to lean into the vehicle on the left.
If straight could look like T@y@t# Cruis%r ??
My guess is that it is styling for one. Without it, it would look even more boring than it does now.
My other guess is that it gives you one side to stand on to get to the roof, and the other to be able to lean in easily.
But in the end, these are all just guesses.
28th May 2007 5:35 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
It's heritage styling from the older model Discoverys Look at the rear door of this D2
....The spare tyre used to make the curve less obvious from the outside.21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
28th May 2007 6:07 pm
10forcash
Member Since: 09 Jun 2005
Location: Ubique
Posts: 16534
It's 'function over form' design, can't remember the exact reasoning but as mentioned above, it's to make reaching easier into the bootspace and provide a degree of weather protection - whilst echoing the heritage of earlier Disco's
28th May 2007 6:42 pm
741hcr
Member Since: 12 Apr 2007
Location: Usually in front of the PC
Posts: 175
Just watched the Disco sales DVD and it says the odd shaped tail gate thing is "a customer focussed piece of design" so that explains it all.
28th May 2007 7:17 pm
andym
Member Since: 16 Jun 2005
Location: london
Posts: 211
I thought its so that the average male can open the tail gate glass without having to stoop or take a step back. Its on one of the landrover design short comercial design releases.
28th May 2007 7:30 pm
martin4x4
Member Since: 23 May 2005
Location: Norfolk, UK
Posts: 362
Following is taken from the Autocar Book -- A New Discovery and I explains the thoughts and reasons behind the rear door design as given by two of the designers Geoff Upex and Andy Wheel;
Quote;
One decision that added lustre to the practicality side of the argument was the decision to ditch the outgoing model's rear door in favour of a tailgate, or ‘split tail door' as it is to be known in the Land Rover brochures. 'We started by assessing what would benefit most customers most of the time,' says Wheel, and came up with our tailgate system. It wasn't an easy decision, but most Discovery owners we've polled seem quite comfortable with it.'
The much-improved rear space and bigger rear doors meant that third-row passengers no longer needed to get
into the vehicle through the rear door, says Wheel. That was one reason why the new Discovery no longer needed a rear door - and in any case, the shorter rear overhang of the new model made it difficult to accommodate the step the old one had. What's more, the new independent rear suspension saves space in the centre of the underbody, which meant designers could place the spare wheel under the boot floor instead of strapping it to the back, which immediately relieved the rear door of about 40 kilograms of dead weight and improved rear vision out of sight. With the spare gone, Wheel says, there was no longer a need to put some of the tail lights into the bumper, which greatly reduced the risk of parking damage. And the split tail door idea seemed a natural.
'It provided so many advantages, says Wheel. 'A convenient seat for people to use while picnicking or changing out of muddy boots, effective cover for people needing to do the same in bad weather, or an elevated platform to stand on to watch spectator events. Once we'd decided that, we were determined also to maintain the asymmetry of the doors, which improves convenience. When the lower door is closed, it is easier to reach over. When it's open, it's shortness lets you reach further into the load space.' Geoff Upex says it was imperative that the whole assembly should be extremely strong, in Land Rover style. He claims it has been subjected repeatedly to what engineers have christened the 2BB Test (Two Big Blokes). It supports 250kg to 300kg without complaint.
Un-QuoteDiscovery 3 XS Auto, Stornaway, Active rear diff.
IMHO (but what do I know ) they should have made the tailgate "handed" according to the country of destination. The current design is far better on LHD vehicles (where I suppose most of the market is) since it gives a much better view when reversing.
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Look at the rear door of this D2
) they should have made the tailgate "handed" according to the country of destination. The current design is far better on LHD vehicles (where I suppose most of the market is) since it gives a much better view when reversing.
