These days, the Land Rover Discovery is a bit of an underrated SUV in the company’s lineup. One can say that the reimagined Defender took the limelight and never gave it back to the Discovery.
But there was once a time where the Discovery was Land Rover’s best-selling model. One that broadened the British automaker’s customer base and brought in much needed cash for it.
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The Land Rover Discovery was introduced in 1989. That means 2024 marks its 35th anniversary. With that, the company has rolled out a special edition model. But before we get to that, let’s take a quick look back at its history.
The Discovery came around because of competition from Japanese marques that introduced more affordable SUVs in Europe. At the time, Land Rover only made two products, the Series Land Rover (later called the Defender) and the Range Rover. There was no model that slotted in between those models, and the Japanese made the most of that gap.
In response, Land Rover began Project Jay. It used the frame from the first generation Range Rover, but used a totally different exterior design. It had its unique suspension settings, but its underpinnings were all based on its big brother. Project Jay eventually became the Discovery we know today.
It made its world premiere in September 1989 at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Initially, only one body style was available, a three-door. One signature that would stick to the Discovery to this day is its kick-up roof and was first seen on this model. At the time, engine options included 2.0-liter gas, 2.5-liter diesel and a 3.5-liter V8. A five-door model followed eventually.
The first-generation Discovery was a hit for Land Rover. With a model that finally slotted between the basic Defender and posh Range Rover, European consumers were finally able to own a Land Rover that struck a good balance in price, comfort, and practicality. It was just in time, too, as the SUV boom was just about to kick off.
Amusingly, the original Land Rover Discovery was a bit of a parts bin special. As mentioned, the underchassis and most of hardware stuck to it were from the Range Rover. Switches and the instrument cluster came from Austin models, namely the Maestro and Montero. The air-con vents came from a Rover 800, the center stack panel board was lifted from a Range Rover, and door handles from a Morris Marina. Even the headlights and tail lights came from different models. Despite that, the look jelled together cohesively.
This model was produced from 1989 to 2004. It received four major updates over the years. It received technical updates in 1992, a new face and engines in 1994, a heavy facelift and tech upgrade in 1998, and another major shakeup in 2002.
When the first generation was finally retired in 2004, the second-generation Discovery made a massive leap forward. Dubbed the L319, it still had the familiar boxy shape of Discoverys of yore, but it had a totally new chassis, fully independent suspension on air springs, and a whole host of other technical innovations such as Terrain Response System, something commonplace in 4x4s these days. Yes folks, you saw it here first in the Discovery.
The 2004 to 2016 model also featured engines that the Discovery long deserved. No more four-cylinders here, as the range started with a 4.0-liter V6, a 4.4-liter V8, and a 2.7-liter V6 turbodiesel, all mated to a six-speed automatic. Not only did these engines make the Discovery quicker, these were more efficient and refined, too.
The later facelifted model, the Discovery 4, would gain a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, a 5.0-liter V8, and a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, along with an eight-speed automatic.
With all the changes made, the L319 made the previous Discovery crude and rudimentary in comparison. It was no longer a parts bin special and gained much-needed sophistication and expanded its abilities on and off-road even greater. At this point, it was practically a junior Range Rover. The Discovery would later form the basis of the Range Rover Sport, another product line that would prove successful for Land Rover.
Now we come to the present model that was first introduced in 2017. Internally known as the L462, it brought the Discovery to a totally different direction yet again. The off-roading chops were still there, but it had moved to an aluminum unibody platform. It was facelifted in 2021 and added mild hybridization to the mix.
Design-wise, it still retained the kick-up roof was still present, but not as pronounced as before. It also resembled the Range Rover of its era, incorporating the design language present in what’s now Land Rover’s wide model range.
For its significant birthday, Land Rover has released the 35th Anniversary Edition for the Discovery. It features unique badging, silver trims, black wheels, and black brake calipers. Also thrown in the mix are Ebony leather seats, Titanium mesh trim inserts, and massaging seats with ventilation. More importantly, it gains the D350 engine.
The D350 engine is a 3.0-liter turbocharged mild-hybrid V6 diesel. It makes 345hp and 700Nm of torque. This engine can be found in the Range Rover Sport, the full-sized Range Rover, and the Defender. With that engine, it’s now the most powerful Discovery to date.
Quite a journey then given the original turbodiesel made just 113hp and 264Nm. But it’s not just in engine power where the Discovery has evolved. It has moved up in terms of size, tech, luxury, and of course, capability on and off-road. The Defender may be Land Rover’s cash cow at the moment, but it all wouldn’t have been possible without the Discovery. If anything, Land Rover wouldn’t be where it is today without it.
Happy 35th, Disco. And here’s to 35 more.
