Land Rover makes a Discovery

The new SUV, to be called LR3 in the United States, is the first all-new vehicle developed under Ford's leadership and is described as the most technologically advanced Land Rover so far.

The investment in technology, safety, craftsmanship, development, and testing to create the Discovery 3 was “enormous,” according to Land Rover. The on-road test program covered four million miles across five continents.

A problem when introducing a new 4×4 SUV is to provide it with sufficient identity to differentiate it both from the outgoing model and its rivals. Land Rover gave the Discovery 3 the visual DNA of the brand, with a frontal treatment that has clear Range Rover affinity and a side elevation with a stepped roof. It has a distinctive, asymmetric split rear door treatment. There is a choice of five or seven seats, and the car's interior design and quality are a major step up from the previous model. All rear seats fold down into the floor to provide a near 2 m (6.6 ft) long load space. A large sunroof and glazed Alpine roof are available. Up to eight airbags are also offered.