LAND ROVER DISCOVERY (1989-1998)
Having birthed the idea of the civilian 4x4 with the original Land Rover in the 1940s, plus the notion of an upmarket off-roader via the Range Rover in the ’70s, Land Rover was caught on the back foot when it came to developing something that slotted in between. And when it did, it borrowed very heavily from its existing products for underpinnings and parts.
The Discovery had its own unique look, of course, the biggest difference from the Range Rover being at the back, where a kicked-up roofline with ‘Alpine’ roof windows helped to provide a huge loadspace, while twin inward-facing folding seats as an optional extra turned the Discovery into a seven-seater. The newcomer’s interior was its real party-piece, being formed from blue plastic and blue tweed cloth; it was also sprinkled with handy cubbyholes and storage slots as well as grab handles and dimple-textured surfaces to give the required hints of off-road
