Land Rover Discovery 2 Makes the Good Even Better
The Discovery 1 had almost 10 years in production starting in 1989, and in 1998, the Land Rover Discovery 2 didn't make much of a ripple as it didn't look any different from its predecessor. While the signature rear side sun roof above the rear windows gave away a deceivingly similar exterior, there have been about 720 facelifting and interior innovations integrated into the new line not only to improve performance and riding comforts for an affordable SUV, but to bring it up to speed for the incoming new 21st century just around the corner.
Enhanced Features
The Discovery 2 debuted in the last quarter of 1998 as a 5-door SUV and was introduced in the US markets a year later. It had been reworked extensively with the rear section extended to provide more loading space that resulted in a slight overhang that compromised its off-road performance.
Together with the Defender model, its engine was standardized using the same smoother electronically managed 2.5 litter Td5 direct injection inline 5-cylinder that had improved torque at lower revs than its preceding 300Tdi diesel engine.
Many mistook the Td5 to be a BMW engine. But it was the same Rover L-series engine that the Rover Group developed for its passenger cars. The 4.0 liter V8 petrol engine used in the previous Discovery models got a revised intake system and fitted with the ACE (Active Cornering Enhancement) system to electronically manage its hydraulic anti-roll bar system. Some European models were fitted with self-leveling air springs and got European type-approval as a 7-seater model.
In 2000, BMW sold the Rover Group to the Ford Motor company but the Discovery 2 marque continued to be produced and now benefited from Ford improvements. The now famous locking differential which had been removed earlier as its traction and Hill Descent Control made it redundant was reinstated as an option in the 2004 models and was standard in its HSE and SE models. Ford made some facelifting improvements like a pocketed head lamp look that matched the Range Rover as well as new set of turn and brake lights in the rear.
Special Models
The Discovery 2 had some models produced by the Land Rover Special Vehicles like rendering the rear windows on the 5-foor model opaque for a van-like appearance and security. But the last years of the Land Rover Discovery 2 got few improvements like getting the optional self-leveling air springs as standard features.
On its last year of production in 2004, the Discovery 2 got a final facelift two new models coming out for the UK markets - a base model "Pursuit" and the high end "Landmark" model that came with genuine leather seats, twin sunroofs, ACE, heated windscreens, six-disc CD changers and those self-leveling suspension systems.
The last revisions were now purely cosmetic such as roof bars, interior climate control, alloy wheels and a marine ply board with rubber mat in the rear loadspace. May 2004 saw the last Discovery 2 leave its production plant to give way to the Discovery 3 for Europe and LR3 in the US markets.
Article Source:Simon_Drew
