Land Rover Forums - Land Rover Enthusiast Forum - The Heritage of the Discovery 1989-2012: A new buyers visual guide

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Conceived in 1986 as "Project Jay", the Discovery was born to compete in the mid-range off-road capable SUV market, and destined for the shores of America.* Cheaper than the higher end Range Rover, and more spacious than the Free lander, the Discovery was geared towards a younger, middle class audience of prospect buyers. Ideal for family trips, daily commutes and a whole lot of fun off road! The first Discovery came off the production line in 1989 but did not reach the shores of America until 1994. The first Discovery model's were a 3 door, but within a short time the more common 4 door became available. The trade mark roof rack and dual sunroofs were only added afew years after the introduction of the first Discovery model in 1989. Within a year of its arrival to the states the Discovery was given a facelift and some all around improvements both cosmetically and mechanically.
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By mid 1999 the final Discovery made its way off the assembly line, and was succeeded by the re-engineered Discovery Series 2. The engine was slighted upgraded, new electronics were added as well as afew technological innovations including the ACE system (Active Cornering Enhancement) the SLS (Self Leveling Suspension), Hill Descent Control and automatic Traction Control**. Though remarkably similar in appearance to the Discovery series 1, all the body panels were changed (Except the rear door). Both the front and rear ends were altered and the security system was upgraded. The flat panel door handles were replaced with more modern full grip door handles. The cargo loading area was slightly increased at the cost of increased overhang in the rear. The windshield is taller thus increasing forward visibility. Land Rover stated that a total of 720 changes were made to the Discovery series 2. In 2001 the CDL (Centre Locking Differential) was removed but was re-installed in 2004. "The design is in the evolution that hides a revolution."

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The 2003/2004 models received a dramatic modern facelift which incorporated "Pocketed Headlamps", thicker roof rack and slightly altered rear tail lamps. 2004 marked the final year for the Discovery series 2 model.

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2005 introduced an all new redesigned Discovery 3 (LR3). In 2010 the Discovery 3 was succeeded by the current Discovery 4 (LR4). .......

Below is a visual comparison of all the Discovery models from the original debut in 1989 to the present model of 2012, enjoy!

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Below I've included a few found promotional Land Rover official commercials for the Discovery series.

Discovery 1

Discovery 2

Discovery 3

Discovery 4

*Information cited from "Dave Pollard's "you and your Land Rover Discovery, buying, enjoying, maintaining, modifying" A product of Haynes. Published in 2002. Pg. 19.

** ACE and SLS systems are not stock on all Discovery series 2 models, most commonly found on the HSE trim's and SE trim's when applicable.

Admin and moderators: could you please make this a sticky? I spent a few days working on this project and I really want to contribute something very useful to the forum.