THE KNOWLEDGE

TIMELINE

1989 Sep Discovery 3dr: 200 Tdi or 3.5 V8

1990 Sep 5dr added; V8i gets injection; vented front discs, higher-ratio steering

1992 Sep V8 auto option; optional a-r bars

1993 Apr Discovery Commercial (van)

Jun 2-litre, 134bhp T16 Mpi added (to ’97)

Sep 180bhp 3.9 V8; auto option for Tdi

1994 Mar Facelift: new dash; more refined 300 Tdi; new ’box; ABS/A-R bars standard

Apr V8 launched in USA

1998 Sep Disco 2: 3dr dropped, larger body, stiffer chassis, no centre diff-lock; 136bhp Td5; 182bhp V8i 4.0

2002 Mar Facelift: integrated front lights, colour-coded bumpers, noise reduction, centre diff-lock; 220bhp 4.6 V8 for USA

2004 Nov S2 replaced by all-new S3

FACTFILE

Sold/number built 1989-2004/c685,000

Construction steel chassis, aluminium and steel panels bolted to steel inner frame

Engine iron-block, alloy-head, ohv 2495cc turbodiesel ‘four’ with direct injection (‘five’ on D2); dohc 1994cc ‘four’ with multi-point injection; or all-alloy, ohv 3528/3947cc V8 with twin SU carburettors or fuel injection; 111bhp @ 4000rpm-182bhp @ 4750rpm; 137lb ft @ 2500rpm-250lb ft @ 2600rpm

Transmission five-speed manual or ZF four-speed auto, 4WD

Suspension live axle, radius arms, Panhard rod, coil springs, telescopic dampers f/r; rear upper A-frame (Watt linkage and air springs on D2); anti-roll bar optional at first

Steering power-assisted worm and roller

Brakes discs (vented on V8 from 1990, all from 1994), with servo; ABS from 1994

Length 14ft 10in-15ft 5in (4520-4705mm)

Width 5ft 10½in-6ft 2in (1793-1885mm)

Height 6ft 3½in-6ft 6in (1918-1980mm)

Wheelbase 8ft 4in (2540mm)

Weight 4145-4921lb (1882-2237kg)

0-60mph 22-10.5secs

Top speed 85-106mph Mpg 14-30

Price new £19,765-30,690 (Mpi-v8 ES, ’97)