Designed originally to fill the gap between the utilitarian attributes of the iconic Land Rover Defender and the more luxurious characteristics of the flagship Range Rover, the Land Rover Discovery has become the perfect niche vehicle for the growing demands of the family 4×4 market.

It all started on the 16th November 1989, 20 years ago today, and today the Discovery is an all round winner: workhorse, tow car, law enforcer, status symbol, people carrier and mud plugger.

“The Discovery legend has been built on innovative design and advanced technology. From the introduction of high-efficiency direct-injection diesel technology into the 4×4 market in 1989, to pioneering occupant safety with the adoption of twin airbags in 1998, Discovery has led the way” says Phil Popham, Managing Director. “It is truly the best loved SUV the world over. Today, we sell the Discovery in 91 countries and sales to date have hit over and above 900,000,” he adds.

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY : 20 FACTS

1. Discovery has evolved its own clear design heritage over four generations.The subtle kick-up in the roofline of the latest Discovery 4/LR4 is a deliberate visual reference to the original Discovery, where a raised rear roof section was necessary to give enough headroom for passengers in the rearmost seats.
2. 392,443 first-generation Discoverys were built in nine years, for an average of 43,604 per year. There were 278,570 Series II models in six years, for an average of 46,428 per year. Discovery 3/LR3 reached a total of 220,057 in five years (an average of 44,011 per year) before giving way to the 2010 model-year Discovery 4/LR4.
3. Fuel economy has always been a target of Discovery’s diesel engines, and a third-generation common-rail fuel system allows the latest 3.0-litre TDV6 to achieve 9.7 percent better fuel economy than its smaller-capacity predecessor on the combined EU cycle. The pioneering direct-injection system used for the TDi engines of the first-generation Discovery was specifically intended to deliver class-leading economy, as was the use of Electronic Unit Injectors on the Series II models’ TD5 diesel engine.
4. The first Discoverys in 1989 were launched as three-door models, the family-oriented five-door followed in 1990 on the same wheelbase. A three-door Discovery Series II was built as a full-size mock-up, but customer demand dictated that five-doors was the way forward so no three-door Series II was ever put into production.
5. All-round visibility for the driver has always been a pre-requisite on the Discovery, reinforced by the high-set Command Driving Position. On Discovery 4, the driver’s ability to see every inch of the vehicle when manoeuvring is aided by no fewer than five miniature cameras. Pictures are transmitted to the dash-mounted information screen and can function at speeds up to 11mph.
6. The first Discoverys shared their headlights with the Freight Rover van, and shared their rear lights with the Austin Maestro van. Very early examples were built with tail-lights carrying the Austin-Rover logo, but the Land Rover oval soon took pride of place when volume production got under way.
7. During the development phase of the Discovery 3, a total of 75 prototypes were taken to the four corners of the earth to test the exceptional breadth of capability of this multi award-winning vehicle, taking it to extremes of +50 degrees centigrade to a teeth-chattering minus 30 degrees centigrade.
8. The side graphics characteristic of the original three-door Discoverys were very fashionable in the late 1980s and are now a distinguishing feature of the early models. The graphics changed in 1992 but after 1994 the graphics were phased out to reflect a change in car ‘fashion’.
9. Land Rover’s spirit of adventure is often recalled at the mention of the famous Camel Trophies. The competitions of the 1990s saw the Discovery tackle the so-called ‘Olympics of 4×4′. Specially prepared examples were used as the crew vehicles for the eight years from 1990 to 1997. Some countries sold special Camel Trophy limited editions with many still clearly visible on the roads today.
10. In 1993, Land Rover Special Vehicles used the three-door body shell to create the Discovery Commercial or ‘van’ derivative. With proven all-round versatility, there have been Commercial derivatives of the Series II, Discovery 3 and now Discovery 4 – all based on the standard five-door body.
11. To mark Land Rover’s 60th anniversary in 2008, 60 vehicles were donated to the British Red Cross Society and its sister national societies around the world. The Discovery 3 was among the 60 vehicles arranged in the form of the Red Cross flag in the quadrangle of Buckingham Palace for the official handover on 9th July.
12. Among the options of the first Discoverys was a shoulder bag trimmed to match the seats of your vehicle which could be attached to the centre console. These bags now command quite a high premium with Land Rover enthusiasts.
13. Since its launch in 2004, Discovery 3 has achieved tremendous global acclaim with a total of 111 awards! From Russia to Mexico, Discovery is the best loved SUV the world has ever driven.
14. Discovery 3 and Discovery 4 have electronically controlled all-independent air suspension, which delivers a superb on-road ride and improves off-road ability, too. The first two generations of Discovery had beam axles with coil springs – although self-levelling air springs were fitted to the rear of top-model Series IIs.
15. The longest first-generation Discoverys built at the Land Rover factory had a 116-inch wheelbase and were designed as fast-response paramedic ambulances.
16. A Discovery 3 was the four millionth Land Rover to leave the production lines on 8th May 2007. Donated to one of Land Rover’s key conservation sponsors – the Born Free Foundation – founder patron Joanna Lumley joined employees to celebrate this milestone and accept the keys on behalf of the charity. The Discovery was deployed as a ‘Rapid Response Rescue’ vehicle.
17. Between 1994 and 1996, the Discovery was sold in Japan as the Honda Crossroad. It wore the badges of the Rover Group’s then business partner, but was otherwise identical to the standard product.
18. Discovery was the first Land Rover programme to fully utilise CAD technology. The exterior of the Discovery was fully surfaced in CAD to enable prove out models and tooling to be created. The interior was created in a wire frame format in CAD.
19. A light and airy interior has always been a Discovery trademark. Deep windows and Alpine lights in the roof have been a constant feature since the beginning, supplemented by glass sunroofs – optional on early models but now standard on the latest Discovery 4.
20. The original project code name for Discovery was Project Jay. This was because of the naming policy put in place by Alan Edis to enhance prototype secrecy – projects were named in alphabetical order, following bird and animal themes.