Hmmm ...... took our new off the dealer lot 98' Disco I wheelin on Colorado trails, with factory Michelin tires. Not your typical gravel road, actual 4WD trails. Took the same truck over Engineer's Pass and several other Southwestern Colorado trails over the next several years. Performed well. Tires were by then A/T's for several reasons, one being age and the other snow. Have also had our 2011 LR4 over the same trails and have also upgraded to A/T's for similar reasons. Honestly I don't see any advantage to the D5 over the LR4 with 5.0L V8. The traction control is basically the same, likely tuned for a lighter vehicle but basically the same. Not seeing the value of the D5, especially the SVX at $90K. Technology additions, which most manufacturers are adding because it is a low cost way to add 'features' at a higher profit margin, are nearly all a don't care/need. Style wise it just looks like a Ford Explorer, with or without metoo stickers. The 20" wheels scream 'see me stylin bro', just like every other manufacturer. We have entered the world of jelly beans where you can have a color as long as it is white. I know, an exaggeration, but you get the picture.
My wife's DD? The 98 DI. Has all the "technology" she needs. Oh, wait, it doesn't. Is the weather band radio considered technology?
Edit add: From the link
http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/187960-Defender-test-mule-spotted?p=2404732#post2404732
D1 - 90% offroad, 10% city
D2 - 80% offroad, 20% city
D3 - 65% offroad, 35% city
D4 - 50% offroad, 50% city
D5 - 35% offroad, 65% city
That D5 profile / trajectory looks like the convergence of the Discovery 5 and Ford Explorer, use case wise.
As for DI my use was probably 10% offroad and 90% city. Still, at nearly 170K miles now that is 17K miles of "offroading". Does that say I want a $75K to $90K bling-mobile? No. I'll probably build a Scout II before spending that money on a throw-away technology dependent vehicle.
