This latest Discovery has a new look that bears an uncanny family resemblance to the new Range Rover, a revised interior with new trim colours, and a number of significant technical enhancements designed to improve both on- and off-road ability.
Click here for Discovery gallery
The 2003 model introduces other improvements including:
These changes increase the Discovery's off-road ability and improve its on-road performance and refinement. The exterior changes provide a Land Rover family look to the well-known Discovery outline while the interior revisions reflect contemporary themes and offer greater customer choice.
Engines
In the US and the UK the new "Disco" will get a new and more powerful 4.6-litre V8 engine, but in South Africa - when the new model gets here in July 2003 - the Discovery continues to be powered either by the 4-litre 136kW V8 petrol engine or the 2.5-litre 101 kW Td5 five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, which produces 340Nm of torque.
More than 700 changes have been made to its predecessor, according to UK sources.
Land Rover UK's MD Mike Wright commented: "The Discovery is already the best-selling large 4x4 in the UK. It has dominated that market since the original model was launched and we're confident that, with the latest round of improvements, customers will continue to be attracted."
The 2003 Discovery will be instantly recognisable by its new Land Rover "family face", dominated by twin-pocket headlamps providing improved lighting as well as a distinctive look. A new grille and a new front bumper with round fog lights will complement the new headlights.
There are also visual changes at the rear with revised tail lights and the turn indicators have been moved to the upper vertical light cluster for better visibility to following traffic.
Better sound insulation, new body mounts and engine compartment seals have apparently improved the refinement of the cars while the revised profile of the new front bumper not only refreshes the styling but also improves its cross-country ability over rocky ground thanks to a better approach angle.
Traction control
The Discovery retains its all-wheel electronic traction control and hill-descent control systems and features a number of braking and chassis improvements to enhance on-road handling.
The front and rear disc brakes have improved pads and callipers while the suspension has revised locations for greater refinement. Four-channel anti-lock braking with electronic pressure distribution is standard.
Bob Dover, Land Rover's MD, says: "The changes made to the 2003 Discovery improve key aspects of the vehicle from its distinctive styling to its on and off-road performance.
"The front styling creates an easily identified family resemblance to the new Range Rover while the new interior treatments complement its spacious packaging.
"With the chassis and power train improvements, Land Rover has built on the Discovery's well-known strengths in on-road handling and off-road capability to reassert the model's class-leading position in the 4x4 market."