A Utilitarian Vehicle Turned Successfully into a Successful Family SUV

Land Rover Discovery 3 was launched in 2004 and changed how “Disco “was perceived. Out went the ladder frame chassis and a brand new monocoque all aluminium chassis was introduced that changed everything in terms of handling, ride comfort, and stiffness of the structure. New electronic traction control systems were introduced to help with the traction and grip of the vehicle. Air suspension was borrowed from the Range Rover to make the ride more comfortable and terrain response system were incorporated for a seamless drive on every sort of surface.

Up Market Exterior

Land Rover planned to make Discovery 3 a family vehicle that does not look out of place in off-road settings as well. The exterior styling became sharper and clearer. Due attention was paid to the aerodynamics that eventually helped the ride characteristics on the tarmac.

Front lights and grill mixed seamlessly and the whole front was way smoother and better looking than its predecessor. It may look boxy from afar, however, look closely and you can notice intricate lines and curves that make this vehicle look great.

You get 4 doors on the side and massive expedition windows at the back that provide you with great viewing.  Large rear lights mix up with the tailgate perfectly.

Huge Changes in the Interior

Land Rover’s quest to modernize one of its iconic brands and shift the focus from a utilitarian vehicle to an everyday family vehicle that is also a capable off-road machine, continued for the interior as well. If you compare it with the previous generation Discovery then you are in for a pleasant surprise.

You can sense that there are no compromises on the quality and layout of the materials and the interior has been completely transformed. Gone are the bleak old dials and replaced with shiny bright ones, the infotainment screen is added and steering controls appear in the new interior. Colour tones make more sense aesthetically.

There is no shortage of space in this utilitarian vehicle as the front, the second and third row has ample space for your head and leg room. There is plenty of space in the boot to keep your luggage as well.

Powerful but Thirsty Engines

Land Rover Discovery 3 provided both petrol and diesel engines to choose from. Diesel engines were a more economic choice. This 2.7-litre engine can produce 190 hp at 4000 rpm and 440 Nm torque at 1900 rpm. It can accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph in 10.9 seconds with a top speed of 111.85 mph. this engine was not only economical but also provided enough pulling power for this large vehicle.

For those who would like to get more out of their vehicle in terms of power and speed, Land Rover provided a very powerful engine. 4.4-litre petrol naturally aspirated engine was capable of producing 295 hp at 5500 rpm and 425 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. The acceleration from 0-60 mph takes 8 seconds with the top speed maxing at 121 mph. however, the pursuit of power and speed meant that the fuel economy had to be sacrificed which is only 6.67 km/l.

Driving Characteristics

The real party piece for the 3^rd generation of Land Rover Discovery was its handling and ride comfort. Moving on from the ladder chassis frame and adopting the new monocoque aluminium chassis meant you have a stiffer frame that is more stable and incorporated with the components than its predecessor.

This meant that the body would not roll in the corners as it used to in the previous generation, it would tolerate the bumps and potholes way better and the road noise and ride quality overall would be much better. Newly incorporated terrain response can help you by adjusting suspension, throttle response, ride height, and traction. This generation of the Land Rover Discovery is on another level when compared with the earlier one.

Verdict

Getting a Land Rover Discovery 3 is such a convenience as you get a powerful off-road machine with huge seating capacity, world-renowned off-road capability, brilliant behaviour on the tarmac and last but not least, a prestige badge as well.

The only downside of those vehicles is their reliability record which is not exemplary when compared to their competitors. However Vogue Technics can provide brilliantly used or reconditioned Land Rover Discovery 3 engines and separate parts at affordable prices. We can help you get engine fitting and repairs with the help of our expert and experienced mechanics. You can book an appointment online or over the phone at any given time and our staff would love to help.