The Land Rover Discovery has passed a 25 years milestone in its life and the XXV Special Edition reaches dealerships now to mark the event.
Discovery 1 went on sale in 1989, Series II followed nine years later, the Discovery 3 went on sale in America and the rest of the world in 2004 and the updated model Discovery 4 is the current version introduced in 2009. More than one million have been sold worldwide to date.
The new Discovery XXV Special Edition is based on the HSE Luxury model but with £3,800 of luxurious extra leather trim, unique seats and carpets as well as exterior detailing to set it apart. Only 1,500 will be built for world-wide sale.
At over £63,200 it is the dearest Discovery so far and puts it just above the entry level Range Rover Sport, but you get a lot for your money. It will have strong appeal to those who want more practicality and room than the less expensive Range Rover Evoque but who do not want to stretch to the bigger Range Rover.
The extra equipment is immediately apparent the moment you close the thick door and your arm naturally settles on the deep window edge while your eyes sweep across the richly padded fascia top. The seats are also striking in their new trim and looking down you see the specially edge-stitched mats and XXV logo.
Outside the badges are a little more discreet, the additional grille details set it apart and wheels and roof rails are also unique.
As for driving, it is not such an advance because it is powered by the familiar 3.0V6 turbodiesel unit matched with the effortless eight-speed automatic box. It goes well enough, but it rolls during cornering and nothing has been done to reduce the familiar ‘Landie lope’
Underneath the skin there is so much technology to help and driver cope with any terrain that they are unlikely to get stuck unless they leave their brain at home.
What’s really impressive about the Discovery XXV apart from its scarcity value is that it does so much, so easily in a sophisticated manner. For the Land Rover enthusiasts this is going to be a ‘special’ special edition model.
Forward Vision
At the recent Royal Windsor Horse Show, Land Rover chose to unveil in the UK their thinking for a future Discovery, the Vision and which was shown in North America and China motor shows this year.
Its distinctive Discovery profile is much sleeker in execution and with a pillar-less pair of doors which open on their leading and trailing edges there is exceptional access to the seven seats, and even these can be moved around for maximum flexibility in use.
According to Land Rover’s head of advanced studio design, Richard Woolley, the Range Rover brand represents supreme luxury, the Discovery engages leisure at every level while the Defender series is their workhorse and go-anywhere model.
“For us the Discovery is about superb flexibility which allows everyday use and at weekends permits owners to fully enjoy their leisure pursuits, even if that involves towing caravan, a boat or horsebox,” he said.
MILESTONES: Land Rover Discovery XXV Special edition. Price: £63,265. Mechanical: 3.0-litre, 256PS V6, turbodiesel, 8-speed auto. Performance: 112mph, 0-62mph: 9.3 seconds, Combined mpg: 35.3mpg (29.2mpg on test), CO2 emissions: 213gkm, VED road tax £635 First Year rate then £285 Year Two onwards, BIK company car tax 35%. Insurance group: 42E. Warranty: 3yrs/Unlimited mileage For: Upgraded interior with more leather detailing, special seat covers and carpets, bespoke wheels, roof rails and badging; roomy, comfortable, highly versatile. Against: Noisy engine when pressed and road rumbles, high emissions and BIK penalty, felt ponderous. By Robin Roberts Miles better news agency
