Land Rover Discovery. Off-road conqueror
In 2020, a restyled version of the fifth generation was released.
Land Rover Discovery is an all-wheel drive SUV produced by the British automobile maker, Land Rover, since 1989. In 2020, the 2016 fifth generation Land Rover Discovery 5-Door SUV was offered on the Israeli market.
The first generation
The first generation Land Rover Discovery was produced from 1989 to 1998. With the advent of the Discovery, the ‘regular’ Land Rover became the Defender, and the new SUV was named Land Rover Discovery. The first Discovery, placed between a handy Defender and an expensive Range Rover, featured a rigid-axle body-on-frame chassis and permanent four-wheel drive with internal reduction gear. The first Discovery enjoyed great popularity among active people and participated in the Camel Trophy, where it gained a reputation as the best off-road conqueror. Until 1998, a total of about 392,000 Discovery SUVs of the first series were produced.
The first Discovery enjoyed great popularity among active people and participated in the Camel Trophy, where it gained a reputation as the best off-road conqueror.
The original vehicle, based on the components of the Range Rover model, had only three doors, but a year later a five-door version also appeared. The first generation Land Rover Discovery had a five-seater interior as a standard trim, and two additional third-row seats were offered for a surcharge. Plus, a two-seater three-door commercial version with ‘blind’ body sidewalls was produced in small quantities.
The second generation
The second generation Land Rover Discovery was produced from 1998 to 2004. Only a five-door version of the second Discovery was available. Its exterior was practically similar to the first SUV. Land Rover designers simply did not ‘spoil’ the exterior of the Discovery II with their ideas, and left it the same as its predecessor, the conqueror of the Camel Trophy. The only change in the appearance of the second Discovery was a longer rear overhang and an 18 cm longer body. A total of 278 thousand units of the second generation Land Rover Discovery rolled off the production line.
The third generation
The third generation Land Rover Discovery was produced from 2004 to 2009. Despite several hundred design differences, the exterior of the third Discovery remained quite recognizable. The Discovery III was based on the Ranger Rover platform with a robust frame integrated into the body structure, which allowed to increase torsional rigidity of the body and significantly improve steering response characteristics. The pneumatic independent suspension not only improved travelling comfort, but also became part of the new signature electronic Terrain Response all-wheel drive system, which adjusted traction, speed, suspension level and ground clearance depending on the road surface or the characteristics of broken terrain.
The fourth generation
The fourth generation Land Rover Discovery was produced from 2009 to 2017. It was restyled in 2013. Boasting a new front bumper, redesigned head optics and a narrower grille, the fourth Discovery became strikingly similar to the Range Rover Sport. The Discovery IV’s appearance became not only more aristocratic, but also aggressive and bold. However, despite all the changes, the distinctive features of the Land Rover Discovery remained unshakable: a clear geometric silhouette, a two-stage roof and an asymmetrical rear window for easier access to luggage and better visibility.
The huge and easily transformable interior of the Land Rover Discovery IV offers additional seats in the trunk that can fold into the floor and the foldable back of the second row. The result is a flat loading dock from the rear door to the driver’s seat.
The fourth generation Discovery boasts a luxurious interior, excellent soundproofing and ergonomics, a color touch-screen monitor with a multifunction display. The huge and easily transformable interior of the Land Rover Discovery IV offers additional seats in the trunk that can fold into the floor and the foldable back of the second row. The result is a flat loading dock from the rear door to the driver’s seat. But the Discovery IV is primarily distinguished by its new engines, which are now capable of delivering excellent driving dynamics to the large SUV, the unladen weight of which is 2.6 tonnes.
The fifth generation
The fifth generation Land Rover Discovery has been produced from 2016 to the present. The fifth Discovery boasts beautiful proportions and a powerful, athletic body. A powerful and expressive front face with a short overhang, a smooth windshield, a rising mean line of the body, and an elegant, tapered rear end create a dynamic look that perfectly matches the unmatched performance and modern character of the 2017/2018 Land Rover Discovery. At the same time, the clear roofline, mid and lower body lines that rise to the rear of the vehicle make the new Discovery easily recognizable.
Yes, the modern 2019/2020 Land Rover Discovery has become an exquisite street vehicle, but at the same time it has not lost its unique off-road qualities! The SUV encompasses the capabilities of a true Land Rover. The optional Terrain Response 2 adaptive system continuously monitors road conditions and selects a driving mode that will significantly improve the performance of the chassis and transmission in certain road conditions.
