An ageing starlet of the 4x4 set with a strong lineage and good bone structure, the Land Rover Discovery has gone for yet another nip and tuck, writes Michael McAleer.
The third in its 13-year history, this latest makeover takes some of its exterior looks from its elegant sister, the Range Rover, in an effort to see off some of the younger hopefuls on the crowded stage of urban off-roaders.
After facelifts in 1993 and 1998, the most obvious changes to the latest version are the projector headlamps and a new bumper and grille. However, Land Rover claim 700 changes in all to the 2003 Discovery, including a more powerful 2.5 litre turbodiesel unit.
The 2003 version offers more torque, active cornering enhancement as standard and new sound deadening panels to reduce cabin noise - a feature of earlier versions.
The front and rear disc brakes have also been improved, with ABS and electronic traction control as standard.
There is also the option of a locking centre differential, which locks the relative movement of the front and rear wheels and helps prevent wheel slip in extreme off-road conditions.
While Discovery's heritage lies firmly in the forests and fields, on-road performance is now a key factor in a world of increasingly refined and car-like 4x4s.
The new Discovery features changes to the chassis and, in particular, an Active Cornering Enhancement (ACE) system, designed to reduce body roll in cornering, a common weaknesses in 4x4s due to their high centre of gravity. The ACE system uses sensors to stiffen the suspension when cornering while making it more agile in off-road conditions.
Land Rover claims a 25 per cent improvement in handling as a result of the latest modifications.
The unveiling of the latest Discovery marks the second new vehicle launch in a matter of months by Land Rover, part of the Premier Automotive Group of the Ford Motor Company. The new new Range Rover premiered earlier this year.
Prices for the Discovery here are up 3 per cent on the old range, beginning with the S Estate at €50,100, the SE at €53,800 and the HSE for €60,535.
These will be available from next Monday with the base version called Discovery E due in September. A 4.0 litre V8 version will be available on order.