Its new 4.4-liter V8, a modified Jaguar engine, develops 300 horsepower and delivers strong throttle response. It's paired with a six-speed automatic, smoother and more responsive than a traditional four-speed. The brakes are excellent, but most interesting is the Terrain Response system: By twisting a knob to Snow, Sand, Mud and Ruts, or any one five different settings that cover every imaginable type of driving condition, you can optimize the settings for the LR3's mind-boggling array of electronic controls and traction aids. In short, the LR3 can go just about anywhere on the planet. And it does it in style.
The LR3 replaces the Discovery. It actually continues to carry the Discovery name in other parts of the world; Land Rover says the alphanumeric nomenclature was used in the U.S. so the company could better focus its marketing efforts on the Land Rover brand name. No matter what you call it, this vehicle is a huge improvement over the Discovery Series II. The LR3 is the first vehicle totally developed by Land Rover following its purchase by Ford Motor Company in 2000 and a $1.4 billion overhaul of the Solihull manufacturing facility in the UK. Next Page