Discovery
Developed by David Evans and his team, 'Project Jay' was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1989 as Land Rover Discovery.
The Discovery marked a major departure from previous Land Rover vehicles by targeting the leisure and family 4x4 market.
Although this market barely existed when the Discovery was designed, the timing was perfect for the UK which quickly took to the new vehicle.
Unlike Land Rover's previous products, the Discovery was capable of competing against the family car, boasting a comfortable ride and an interior designed by Sir Terrence
Conran's Design studio.
It could also compete in terms of power and performance, as it used the Rover 3.5 litre V8, tuned to give 144 bhp.
For a diesel option, the 111 bhp 200TDi direct-injection turbo diesel engine was introduced.
This boasted impressive economy and best-in-class performance, although it was slightly noisier than diesels in competing vehicles.
Even though it was aimed at an essentially family market, the Discovery still boasted the best-in-class off road ability that the Land Rover has come to symbolise.
As well as powerful engine options, a transfer case and locking centre differential were fitted.
The 100" wheelbase chassis was taken directly from the Range Rover Classic, with coil spring suspension and disc brakes all-round.
The only thing missing was the Range Rover's Boge Hydromat load levelling device.
Chassis lineage was kept quiet, as Land Rover did not want to lose Range Rover sales.
Probably the oddest feature of the first Discoveries was that they only came as a 3 door version.
Very strange for what was marketed as a durable large family vehicle!
The Range Rover was also initially built with only 3 doors.
In that case, it was because of concerns about the rigidity of the body whilst driving off-road.
This time it was merely a case that they did not wish to erode Range Rover sales by offering a 5 door version of Discovery straight away, a strategy which worked well, allowing them time to
push Range Rover further upmarket before the Discovery 5 door version was released, a year after the 3 door.
The success of the Discovery was ensured by the combination of an essentially new market, the 5-door model, and continued upmarket shifting of the Range Rover.
Revisions came in 1994 with the introduction of the 111 bhp 300 tdi diesel engine, larger headlights and interior enhancements.
As well as a 2 litre, 134 bhp, 4 cylinder petrol engine, (MPi), 4-speed automatic gearbox, and air-bags.
The 3.9 V8i engine was also introduced to the range, essentially a re-bored and fuel injected version of the 3.5 V8, but giving 182 bhp.
The Honda Crossroad
Produced by Land Rover for Honda in Japan, the Honda Crossroad was basically a badge engineered Series 1 Discovery.
The Honda Crossroad.
The Discovery Series II
During the late 1990s, the Discovery was redesigned under 'Project Tempest'.
This new Discovery was launched in 1999 as the "Discovery Series II", a name carefully chosen to invoke the history of the original Land Rover Series vehicles.
The Series II looked very similar in appearance to its predecessors, but included a variety of new features.
The Freelander's Hill Descent Control (HDC) was fitted as standard, and new options included Active Cornering Enhancement and rear Self-Levelling Suspension.
The new 136 bhp 2.5 litre TD5 diesel, and the 184 bhp 4.0 V8i petrol engine were options on series II models.
2003 saw the introduction of a revised series II model, with L322 Range Rover style headlights, new bumpers and many other enhancements.
The Discovery 3
In 2004 the Discovery 3 ( LR3 in some markets ) was launched.
Engine options were : Jaguar 4.4 litre V8 petrol (as used in the S-Type), 2.7-litre V6 Turbodiesel, 4.0-litre V6 petrol.
Full-time four-wheel drive.
Both petrol derivatives are matched to a six-speed automatic ‘intelligent shift’ transmission, also available with the diesel though this has a six-speed manual as standard.
As with Freelander, the Discovery 3 uses a body shell type construction rather than a ladder chassis and separate bodywork.
This helped to reduce weight and therefore allow better fuel consumption figures.
Press releases claim that it continues to provide a broad range of capability with good on-road performance and best-in-class off-road abilities.
The Discovery 3 also sees the advent of fully independent suspension in the Discovery range.
Most Discovery 3s will be fitted with the ECAS air springs similar to those used on the Range Rover, but coil springs are available for entry level models.
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