DISCOVERY 1
The first ever Discovery was introduced in the British market in 1989. Based on the Range Rover chassis, the Discovery was aimed at a larger audience and was hence cheaper. Land Rover's target was the growing Japanese SUV stable, which it duly unsettled. The Discovery was available as a 3/5-door, five seater and Land Rover's intention was to market it as a lifestyle vehicle, with a lot of smart storage options. Where that stepped up roofline came from, no one knows. Still, we think it's ugly/a design classic. Production of the Discovery came to an end in 1998.
DISCOVERY 2
The Discovery 2 was launched in 1998 with “720 differences”. We know what you’re thinking — “it looks the same” — but the truth is, every panel on the 2 was changed, except the rear door. To increase rear loading space, the tail section of the car was elongated, though it then added a prominent overhang to the car. The Discovery 2 wasn’t a leap up from its predecessor, and was far less utilitarian. Oh, and there was still no trace of the origins of the oddball roof. The Discovery 2’s production ceased in 2004.
DISCOVERY 3
The Discovery 3 was briefly sold in India and was a huge step up from its predecessors. Land Rover built it on the integrated body frame platform, wherein the engine/passenger bay was built as a monocoque and then mated to a ladder-frame chassis for the gearbox and suspension. It had the virtues of either frames, but as a result was a whole lot heavier. Also, it was for the first time in a Land Rover that a rear locking differential was incorporated. Apart from this, it also sported hill descent control, dynamic stability control and traction control. The Discovery 3, incidentally, served as the platform for the oh-so-desirable Range Rover Sport.
