Land Rover Discovery
Since its first release in 1989, the Land Rover Discovery has pushed the envelope in delivering a powerful engine but the latest in technological doodads and comfort for the interior. Opinions on Discovery may be mixed, but there is no denying the influence this model has had, nor the devoted following this SUV has inspired.
Discovery was the proverbial game-changer for the Land Rover line, as this model only effectively *created* the very line by dint of its production in 1989 as the third distinct class of Land Rover; the Discovery forced the rebrand of its originals.
The chief technological innovation that Discovery brought to the market was its revolutionary turbodiesel engine, a seriously powerful engine influential enough to change the rechristened original Land Rover Defender – and, let’s face it, most of the SUV market – within two years of Discovery’s launch.
Five generations of Land Rover Discovery
After its first year of release, Land Rover launched the 1991 models with for doors and V8 engine. Discovery Series II was introduced in 1998 and was touted more for its on-road, comfort aspects.
But hey, new century, new sensibility, right? In the 2000s, the Discovery was tweaked once more while model number was stripped of brand name and Roman numerals but augmented with an acronym: The Land Rover LR3 boasted a full independent air suspension and its patented (?) “Integrated Body Frame” design. Announcement of the LR4 was something of a soft reboot, as design-wise little changed from the LR3, but enough changes to engine and transmission apparently warranted this new branding in 2009.
Finally, the “Discovery” returned to the brand for a fifth generation of the model in 2016.The Land Rover Sport, as the name cheerfully makes clear, plays up adventuring-style use of this SUV. And there’s certainly potential aplenty for that in this Discovery, with a 3-liter diesel V8 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.
Land Rover Discovery touted as best of both worlds
Back in its days as the LR4, Land Rover billed the Discovery as a mdi-sized SUV that was affordable yet luxurious, off-road ready yet drivable in the city. Ever since Land Rover got beyond the three-door Discovery of 1989, the company has attempted to straddle the line in an appeal to mainstream North American drivers.
As to whether Land Rover succeeded in being all things to a certain demographic is up to the individual driver (see directly below for a brief bit on Land Rover Discovery Sport reviews), the truth is that the original Discovery took the SUV concept to another level with its powerful engine and spiffy electronics inside.
Buzz on the first Land Rover Discovery Sport so-so
The reboot/relaunch of the Land Rover Discovery certainly piqued the attention of auto enthusiasts all over the world – after all, the name “Land Rover” has become iconic in a world of soccer moms. Though from the vantage point of a few years out, the first Discovery Sport seems to be aging well in the estimation of those weighing in online, critics in ’16 were mostly decidedly indifferent.
U.S. News & World Report’s extensive year-end review of car models that year scored the Land Rover Discovery at a 7.4 on a 10-point scale, resulting in a rank of just 12th in the “2016 Luxury Compact SUVs” category; in the next three years, the Discovery would rank 17th, 14th and 14th. Clearly not fans over there…
By contrast, the guys over at the official website of BBC’s Top Gear have been won over to the Discovery Sport, calling it the best vehicle in the luxury compact class and delivering a verdict of “Close to perfection, and the new TD4 ‘Ingenium’ engine [in the 2019 model] may just have delivered it.
For more news, views, reviews and information on the newest Land Rover Discovery models and technology, bookmark this page of mediaLandRover and check back often!
Toyota Land Cruiser And Land Rover Discovery Meet In Off-Road Duel
In the world of off-roading, there are only two types of land: Rovers and Cruisers
Source: motor1.com
Plug-in hybrid tech coming to smaller Land Rovers
A tiny triple will become the muscle motor for the updated Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque
Source: motoring.com.au
New Land Rover Defender's Teasing Begins in Earnest
With less than two weeks to go before its Frankfurt Motor Show debut, Land Rover has sent its upcoming Defender SUV on a road trip to the Rhineland
Source: thetruthaboutcars.com
New 2020 Land Rover Defender teased ahead of Frankfurt reveal
A teaser image of the all-new Land Rover Defender’s grille has been unveiled ahead of the car’s debut on Tuesday 10 September at the Frankfurt Motor Show
Source: autoexpress.co.uk
First image of new 2020 Land Rover Defender leaked
A leaked image of the new Land Rover Defender has hit the web, just days ahead of the reborn off-roader's hotly anticipated world debut at the Frankfurt Motor
Source: autoexpress.co.uk
'Land Rovers thrive in tough conditions' - Here's why Springbok captain Siya Kolisi loves his Discovery 4x4
As a Land Rover ambassador for the past five years Siya Kolisi has had access to some of the finest SUVs available, but the Springbok captain’s latest seven-seat
Source: wheels24.co.za
Land Rover Discovery Mobile Malaria Lab Completes Mission
Back in March, Land Rover announced that a customized Discovery SUV would embark on an eight-week humanitarian expedition to sub-Saharan Africa as part of the Mobile Malaria Project,
Source: carscoops.com
Jaguar Land Rover may share platforms with BMW
As Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) continues to look at way to reduce costs after posting a record $US4 billion loss in the fourth quarter of 2018, new reports suggest the
Source: motoring.com.au
Jaguar Land Rover manufacturing could leave Britain after Brexit
A no-deal Brexit would make it difficult for Jaguar Land Rover's manufacturing to continue in Britain, but jobs will remain, according to the company's Australian boss
Source: carsguide.com.au
2020 Land Rover Defender Caught Undisguised In The Flesh
Noticed by Autoweek.nl, the undisguised model gives us our first revealing look at the SUV’s front fascia
Source: carscoops.com
New 2020 Land Rover Defender: exterior image leaked
A leaked image of the all new Land RoverDefender appears to show the all new 4x4 completely undisgised
Source: autoexpress.co.uk
New Land Rover Defender design leaked in new picture ahead of launch
A new image of the 2020 Land Rover Defender has been launched ahead of its debut later this year
Source: express.co.uk
Undisguised 2020 Land Rover Defender leaked
This spy shot is the first clear look at the forthcoming Land Rover Defender
Source: carbuyer.co.uk
New 2020 Land Rover Defender: interior spied
These are our first interior spy shots of the new Land RoverDefender and they give us our best indication yet of the new model’s cabin design
Source: autoexpress.co.uk
New 2020 Land Rover Defender: exterior styling leaked
This sneaky instrument binnacle snapshot is our first undisguised look at the forthcoming Land RoverDefender’s styling
Source: autoexpress.co.uk
This Is What The 2020 Land Rover Defender Looks Like
Shortly after an image of the Lego Technic 2020 Land Rover Defender emerged online, an image snapped of the new Defender’s digital gauge cluster has landed on our desks
Source: carscoops.com
Jaguar Hints At Electric F-Type, Confirms Future EVs Will Have Up To 272 Miles Of Range
During a presentation earlier this month, the company said their new Modular Longitudinal Architecture will be launched on a “large SUV and a large premium sedan
Source: carscoops.com
Driven: Range Rover Velar has loads of presence
That takes some doing, considering that the Velar is up against strong competition in the form of the Volvo XC90, Toyota’s Land Cruiser 200 and Prado, and even its
Source: wheels24.co.za
QOTD: Trucking Great Nineties Design in Europe?
In the Wednesday QOTD last week, we began our considerations of the truck and SUV models from the nineties which aged most gracefully
Source: thetruthaboutcars.com
2020 Land Rover Defender To Get China-Specific Features
In an attempt to maximize the Defender’s customer base, Land Rover will be reintroducing the iconic off-roader to the United States for the upcoming all-new model after
Source: motor1.com-in-may.jpg)
Jaguar Land Rover sales down (again) in May
Tata Motors' Jaguar Land Rover retail sales in May 2019 fell 12.2% year on year to 42,370 vehicles worldwide
Source: just-auto.com
New 2020 Land Rover Defender: latest testing teasers
Land Rover has released a fresh batch of teaser images for the 2020 Defender, detailing the 4x4’s rigorous testing programme with the Kenyan wildlife conservation charity, Tusk
Source: autoexpress.co.uk
New 2020 Land Rover Defender prototype previewed
The new Land Rover Defender has undergone further testing ahead of its full reveal at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September
Source: carbuyer.co.uk
New images of Land Rover Defender show it at work in Africa
The lightly camouflaged prototype was given to Land Rover’s partner the Tusk Trust as part of the all-new model’s testing and the new images show it being
Source: scotsman.com
2020 Land Rover Defender: What It'll Look Like, Tech & Everything Else We Know
Redesigning an automotive icon like the Land Rover Defender is no easy feat. The original was characterized by its legendary rugged off-road abilities, simple construction, and tough appearance
Source: carscoops.com