It’s been described as an old soldier, but that may not be such a bad thing. An old soldier is likely full of wisdom and temerity—and in many ways that describes Land Rover’s folksy Discovery. The most recent iteration of which is the Series II, launched in 1999 as a new and improved version of the original Discovery, which began life in 1994.
2005 saw the introduction of the LR3, a younger more sophisticated soldier equipped with the tools of modern warfare. But as capable and refined as the LR3 is, it lacks the quirky charm that the old man brings to the party. It’s the sort of charm one either loves or hates.
You can place me in the “love” category—so much so, that I own a 1999 Series II Discovery that I may one day choose to be buried in. Hopefully that day is far off. One certainty though is the longevity of my chosen casket. The Land Rover Discovery is built with rustproof aluminum body panels.
Rugged yet gentlemanly
In typical British style, the boxy Discovery combines its off-road dominance with understated luxury. My 1999 example doesn’t have a navigation setup—that came along later—but it does have all the usual creature comforts, including leather seating, headlight washers, heated windscreen, power-adjustable seats, climate control and more.
Along with the niceties come the elements supportive of sure-footed off-roading. The Disco is equipped with full-time four-wheel drive technology that features traction control at each wheel to enable the ones with grip to do the dirty work.
Further bolstering competency where pavement fails to exist is a downhill descent control system that engages the antilock 4-wheel disc brake arrangement to keep the vehicle to a crawl on steep, slippery slopes. And for the intense inclines that follow, the Discovery is equipped with a manually activated low-range transfer case.
Yes, that means slowing the vehicle to a max of 8kph and shifting into neutral before engaging low range. Truth be known, there’s something about muscling the “old school” low-range lever that makes one feel like a rugged individualist. Try getting that from pushing a button with an electronically activated low-range transfer case.
In my more frontier moments, I have performed moderate off-roading with my Discovery and never been defeated by the terrain but probably more important to me than the Discovery’s off-road supremacy is its ability to keep moving in all sorts of heavy snow conditions and mud quagmires. Skiers and sport fishers will no doubt appreciate this strength.
 |
| 1999 Land Rover Discovery Series II (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
2005 saw the introduction of the LR3, a younger more sophisticated soldier equipped with the tools of modern warfare. But as capable and refined as the LR3 is, it lacks the quirky charm that the old man brings to the party. It’s the sort of charm one either loves or hates.
You can place me in the “love” category—so much so, that I own a 1999 Series II Discovery that I may one day choose to be buried in. Hopefully that day is far off. One certainty though is the longevity of my chosen casket. The Land Rover Discovery is built with rustproof aluminum body panels.
Rugged yet gentlemanly
In typical British style, the boxy Discovery combines its off-road dominance with understated luxury. My 1999 example doesn’t have a navigation setup—that came along later—but it does have all the usual creature comforts, including leather seating, headlight washers, heated windscreen, power-adjustable seats, climate control and more.
Along with the niceties come the elements supportive of sure-footed off-roading. The Disco is equipped with full-time four-wheel drive technology that features traction control at each wheel to enable the ones with grip to do the dirty work.
Further bolstering competency where pavement fails to exist is a downhill descent control system that engages the antilock 4-wheel disc brake arrangement to keep the vehicle to a crawl on steep, slippery slopes. And for the intense inclines that follow, the Discovery is equipped with a manually activated low-range transfer case.
Yes, that means slowing the vehicle to a max of 8kph and shifting into neutral before engaging low range. Truth be known, there’s something about muscling the “old school” low-range lever that makes one feel like a rugged individualist. Try getting that from pushing a button with an electronically activated low-range transfer case.
In my more frontier moments, I have performed moderate off-roading with my Discovery and never been defeated by the terrain but probably more important to me than the Discovery’s off-road supremacy is its ability to keep moving in all sorts of heavy snow conditions and mud quagmires. Skiers and sport fishers will no doubt appreciate this strength.
 |
| 1999 Land Rover Discovery Series II (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |