Discovery 3 designed to be an impressive all-rounder

By ALASTAIR SLOANE motoring editor

Land Rover will trumpet the all-new Discovery's electronic hardware when it goes on sale here early next year.

The new model - pictured here for the first time in New Zealand - will be unveiled at the New York motor show today.

It is called Discovery 3 - for the third-generation model - and promises, says Land Rover, "class-leading breadth of capability".

A feature of the new vehicle is the company's patented Terrain Response system, an electronic on-road/off-road aid first seen on the Range Stormer concept car at the Detroit motor show in January.

Land Rover says Terrain Response "optimises driveability and comfort, as well as maximising traction".

"It's like having an expert alongside you, to help you get the best out of the vehicle whatever the conditions, on-road or off," said the company's managing director, Matthew Taylor.

Terrain Response allows the driver to choose one of five terrain settings via a rotary switch on the centre console: a general driving programme, plus one for slippery conditions (known as grass/gravel/snow) and three special off-road modes (mud/ruts, sand, rock crawl).

Terrain Response then automatically selects the most appropriate settings for the vehicle's electronic controls and traction aids, including ride height, engine torque response, hill descent control, traction control and transmission settings.

Furthermore, the Discovery has an integrated body-frame structure which, says Land Rover, combines high torsional stiffness with optimal on-road capabilities and comfort "while continuing to set new standards in off-road performance".

The new Discovery is also equipped with adaptive headlights that illuminate the road ahead on corners.

It comes with a choice of three engines: V8 and V6 petrol units and a V6 turbodiesel.

The premium engine is a 4.4-litre V8, a development of Jaguar's 4.2-litre V8 petrol unit.

Land Rover says the new engine has been designed for on-road smoothness and off-road rough and tumble and offers more low-down torque, better cooling, oil circulation, breathing and water-proofing. It develops 224kW (300bhp) and around 410Nm of torque.

The top-selling engine - certainly in Europe - is likely to be the new 2.7-litre V6 common-rail turbodiesel, which has just gone into the S-Type Jaguar and will go into the new Peugeot 407.

It was developed by Ford and Peugeot/Citroen and in the new Discovery puts out 142kW (190bhp) and 440Nm at 1900rpm. This engine won't be available in North America.

The third engine is a 4-litre petrol V6, a reworked version of the unit under the bonnet of the Ford Explorer. At the moment, it is likely to be available only for the North American market.

All three engines will be mated to either six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmissions.

The Discovery 3 uses a fully independent suspension system all round, with air springs available on most models. Air springs are height-adjustable, to help with entry and exit and to boost ground clearance off-road.

"The design of the Discovery 3 is derived from its capability," said design director Geoff Upex.

"Everything you see has been done for a reason. An absolute priority was that nobody could mistake this vehicle for anything else.

"It had to look thoroughly modern, bold and distinctive. The priority was to give the passengers and driver a superb cabin environment, with more headroom and greater comfort. It has big, deep glazing, because that provides greater airiness and a better view."

The new Discovery's styling is a melding of the last model's brutish good looks and the Range Rover's tailored shape.

Land Rover design cues - like the square front, flat rear end, the stepped roof and a lot of room around the wheels - are even more pronounced than before. But the rear tailgate is now split asymmetrically.

Inside, Land Rover has stayed with the "stadium" seating style, where rear passengers sit progressively higher than occupants in front. The company says the optional third row of seats is big enough to accommodate most adults.

The second and third row of seats fold flat to boost load capacity.

Terrain Response and air-suspension is expected to be optional in New Zealand.

"We haven't settled on specifications, engines, or pricing yet," says Land Rover New Zealand marketing manager Anya Sheath.

The Discovery first appeared in 1989. A facelift followed in 1994 and the second-generation went on sale in 1999.

Last year, Land Rover NZ sold 140 Discoverys, roughly 30 per cent of total sales. This year it expects to sell 120 run-out models.