Looking at the early models its plain to see who the target buyer was. The comfort of the Range Rover was mated with the hard wearing interior of the utility models. The Discovery was designed to take all that was thrown at it from outside and within.
On the road, both petrol V8 and new four cylinder 200 TDI diesel engine were matched for the weight, giving a blend of acceptable performance and heavy duty towing capability. Concern the Discovery was not a real Land Rover were quashed when its abilities become apparent. On road the Discovery was a dream to drive with plenty of glass and a high seating position. There were complaints about the ride, especially round corners, where body roll was very noticeable. And with the sideways facing, fold out seat setting behind the rear axle, long journeys with seven occupants could be a headache, especially if you had loads of luggage as well. Off road however, the Discovery excelled as you’d expect with running gear and wheelbase similar to that of the Range Rover. Long travel coil spring kept the wheel in contact with the ground long after rival vehicle had lost touch. The ride was comfy and misgivings about the on road performance were soon sidelined.
Over time, the V8`s cubic capacity was increased and the Discovery was treated to the smoother 300Tdi engine as well as tweak to the basic design. To meet demand, higher- spec models flowed on to the market, snapped up by those who wanted a high quality 4X4, but who didn`t necessarily want (or could stretch to) a Range Rover.
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