The all-new Discovery 3 has been formally unveiled by Land Rover at the 2004 New York Motor Show (tagged "LR3" in the US). The latest generation features several departures from the previous versions in a bid to give it more mass-market appeal. Land Rover knows its products are, and always have been, class leading off-road. What they are aiming to do now is to carry the battle to its new age competition on the black stuff as well.

The SUV market is buoyant and models such as BMW's X5 and forthcoming X3, and the Discovery's PAG sibling Volvo XC90 are embedding themselves in the modern urban psyche. As family wagons, school run specials and lifestyle vehicles now more than ever, most SUVs never see much more testing action than a bump up a kerb. The previous generation Discovery was based on an outdated platform that began with the 1970's Range Rover and as such its on-road manners were unacceptable in today's market. To this end the Discovery 3 has been developed with more focus than ever before on its on road dynamics.

The new design has many echoes of the old Discovery, evolved to include some of the new Range Rover's features and embrace modern trends. The lamp units, which feature active lenses, and front grille design, give the new model a real family link with the bigger Range Rover. A split tailgate replaces the side-opening door, but its asymmetrical design now gives improved access. The stepped roof profile is also retained allowing excellent rear headroom and stadium seating whereby the seats are higher the further back you sit in the car ensuring all occupants have a good view.

In place of the old ladder frame chassis the Discovery now has what Land Rover calls "Integrated BodyFrame" architecture. This is basically a hybrid of monocoque and ladder chassis offering improved chassis strength and NVH. For the first time the Discovery features all round independent suspension with double wishbones at each corner, coil suspended on the bottom of the range model with the rest of the range featuring actively controlled air suspension. This new suspension design coupled with the new chassis construction should improve the on-road manners without sacrificing the legendary off-road capabilities. An indication of the expectations for the new Discovery's ride and handling is that it has spent time being developed on the Nordschliefe.

As well as the usual Electronic Brakeforce Distribution most variants will feature Dynamic Stability Control and Land Rover's patented Hill Decent Control. New to the Discovery (expect to see the feature rolled out to other Land Rover models) is Terrain Response system, as previewed at this year's Detroit Motor Show in the superb Range Stormer concept. Terrain Response offers 5 driver selected settings to adjust the suspension, engine torque and transmission to offer optimal performance for the given circumstance. The positions are: general, for every day use, one for slippery conditions i.e. grass/gravel/snow and three specific off-road settings; mud/ruts, sand and rock crawl. This feature is claimed to help even the most inexperienced off-roader over come almost any obstacle.

Under the bonnet the Discovery 3 will be offered with three engines, two of these are completely new units. The UK market will get a 4.4-litre 295 bhp V8, which is a re-worked version of the acclaimed Jaguar 4.2-litre unit. The engine has been tuned for more low-end torque (now 314lb.ft) in keeping with the demands of the application. Also available will be an 187 bhp, 325lb.ft, 2.7-litre V6 turbo diesel, expected to be the big seller in Europe. The third engine is the venerable 4.0-litre V6 currently found in the Ford Explorer – this is not expected to be in the UK line up. Power is transmitted via 6-speed automatic and manual transmissions to all four wheels through electrically controlled centre and rear differentials. Given the 2200 kg bulk of the Discovery, the performance of the range topping 4.4-litre is likely to be around 130 mph, with 0-60 in about 8.5 seconds.

Interior specifications aren't finalised as yet but the Discovery will offer true 7 seat capability, with even the fold flat rear row of seats providing plenty of room, big enough to accommodate 95th percentile adults, according to Land Rover. The press release photos shown give some hint as to equipment in terms of air con, CD player and satnav and also show a very Range Rover like interior fit and finish.

Expect the Discovery to slot into the range at around £25k to £45k when it goes on sale later in the year in the UK. The Car Enthusiast hope to drive the Discovery early in 2005. Look out for the review in the main Road Tests page.

Dave Jenkins - 8 Apr 2004