The Land Rover Discovery is 35 years old, and the company is celebrating the occasion by expanding the roster with new units.
This includes a special 35th Anniversary Edition model, updates to the existing range, and a new D350 diesel engine to complement the selection of petrol options.
The Anniversary Edition is available to order at a starting price of R1,808,400.
A milestone to celebrate
The Land Rover Discovery’s history dates all the way back to its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1989.
“For 35 years, Discovery has been setting the standard for family SUVs and we’re proud to celebrate reaching such an occasion,” said Mark Cameron, Managing Director at Land Rover Discovery.
The 35th Anniversary trim is inspired by the Discovery Metropolitan Edition and features Bright Atlas detailing for the grille and model lettering.
It also features a bespoke XXXV badge – which is the Roman numeral for 35 – to denote its status.
This is complemented by Hakuba Silver lower bumper inserts, 22-inch diamond-turned alloy wheels with a Gloss Grey finish, black brake calipers, privacy glass, and a sliding panoramic sunroof.
The equipment list also boasts a heads-up display, a heated steering wheel, a wireless charger, a cooled storage compartment between the front seats, and four-zone climate control.
For the cabin, the carmaker has added Titanium Mesh trim detailing, and Light Oyster and Ebony upholstery with extended Windsor leather colourways.
Land Rover has stated that the Anniversary will be sold in limited numbers, but did not disclose how many units would be produced.
For those who are more interested in the powertrain side of the equation, the milestone is also being used as an opportunity to introduce a new D350 engine – the most powerful option for the Discovery to date.
The D350 takes the form of a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, turbocharged diesel block that pumps out a hefty 257kW and 700Nm – a 37kW and 50Nm increase from the outgoing D300 units.
This allows the seven-seater SUV to accelerate to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds, reflecting an improvement of six-tenths of a second over the outgoing models.
This powerplant is available across the range, serving as an alternative to the existing P360 petrol variants.
The update doesn’t stop there, however, as Land Rover is improving the spec sheet for the remaining trim levels, including the S, Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, and Metropolitan Edition.
All of these models now get power-adjustable front seats with memory functions and an electronically adjustable steering column as standard.
The Discovery also benefits from an Advanced Tow Assist system, making it easier to maneuver while hauling loads up to 3,500kg.
The SUV’s 4×4 capabilities have been touched up, too, with an All Terrain Progress Control function that allows drivers to set and maintain a steady speed in challenging conditions, essentially functioning as off-road cruise control.
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