Land Rover has completely redesigned its Discovery for 1999. Though the overall look is quite similar to the previous model, 85 percent of its parts are new. To signify this, it has been renamed the Land Rover Discovery Series II.
Fresh styling and a wider stance give the Discovery Series II a more confident look. A host of new features improve safety, comfort and convenience. The interior has been thoroughly upgraded with more comfortable seats, refined switchgear and improved outward visibility.
But the most important change to the Discovery is in the way it drives. While the previous model felt tentative in transient maneuvers and leaned through corners, the new one feels firmly planted and tackles curves with confidence.
In spite of its refined roadworthiness, the Discovery Series II has not lost Land Rover's renowned off-road capability. It still features lots of suspension travel to climb over rocky terrain. It's still the ultimate off-road utility vehicle.
The Discovery Series II is 4 inches wider and sits 1 inch shorter than the previous version. The wheelbase remains 100 inches, but the rear overhang has been extended. As a result, the rear is 6 inches longer than before for greater cargo capacity.
Though it may not be obvious to the casual observer, every body panel on the Discovery Series II is new. Land Rover took an evolutionary (rather than revolutionary) approach to the design of this second-generation Discovery because owners and potential buyers said they loved the looks of the first-generation. So the Discovery Series II still sports a distinctive, utilitarian appearance. It looks ready for an African safari.
A new front-end treatment includes a restyled hood and fenders, deeper grille, and one-piece bumper with integrated fog lamps. Wider, contoured rear quarter panels feature new high-mount taillamp clusters that provide a more modern look and can be seen more easily. Range Rover-style door handles have been added that are easier to open and the doors have been reshaped to incorporate Discovery's new rising beltline. A new, electrically released fuel filler door eliminates the annoyance of manually unlocking it with a key each time. The full-size spare tire has been mounted lower on the rear door for improved visibility out back. Efforts to improve Discovery's aerodynamics are evident all around: Body gaps have been reduced, glass fit is more flush, and trim pieces are more integrated. All this results in a quieter ride.
The all-aluminum 4.0-liter Rover V8 employs a new Bosch engine management system and Thor intake manifold that increase power, efficiency and driveability. Permanent four-wheel drive means there's nothing the driver needs to do before plunging off road. Discovery comes standard with a four-speed ZF automatic transmission. A transfer case provides a low range for extremely steep or slippery terrain.
New this year is a sophisticated traction control system that detects wheel slippage and applies brake pressure to the spinning wheel, thereby directing torque to the wheels with the best traction. The system is completely automatic and requires no action by the driver. The long-travel, live-axle suspension has been revised for 1999 and boasts a wider track and new steering geometry for better highway manners.
New technology is a big part of what makes the Discovery Series II great: Hill Descent Control, a Land Rover exclusive, maintains a controllable vehicle speed during steep off-road descents. The system works in low range at speeds below 34 mph. The driver engages the system by pressing a button and keeping his or her feet off the pedals. HDC automatically applies brake pressure and, combined with engine braking, provides maximum control of the vehicle down steep grades.
The four-channel anti-lock brake system uses Electronic Brake Distribution to provide quicker, safer stops. EBD, which is standard, transfers braking force front to rear to ensure optimum balance and stability.
