Dave Jenden's rock crawling Disco 3The latest version of the Discovery has just been announced. Called the Discovery 3, it is due to go on sale in late 2004. Sporting a modified external design, the Discovery 3 also includes an integrated body-frame. Press releases claim that it continues to provide a broad range of capability with good on-road performance and best-in-class off-road abilities.
New engines include a 2.7 litre TDV6 turbo-diesel for the European market. A different version of the base V6 has already been seen on the Jaguar S-Type, but the Land Rover variant is capable of 190bhp and 440Nm of torque. A compacted graphite iron block is used. A second engine option is a 4.0 litre 215bhp petrol (gasoline) V6 that sports 360Nm of torque. 6-speed automatic and manual gearboxes are also provided.
The Discovery 3 also sees the advent of fully independent suspension in the Discovery range. Most Discovery 3s will be fitted with air springs similar to those used on the Range Rover, but coil springs will be available for entry level models.