Land Rover Discovery: The Story of the First Generation Models 1989-1998

The first-generation Land Rover Discovery has attracted a huge following of enthusiasts in the 35 years since its launch in 1989. Books have been published offering buying advice, but no dedicated book exists explaining the model’s origins, its development history, or its production and sales history… until now!

The original Discovery was a vital model in Land Rover’s history. Global sales declined in the early 1980s, just as Land Rover was launching its new flagship One Ten models. At the same time, Japanese manufacturers were enjoying success with spacious family vehicles, inspired by the Range Rover but much less expensive.

Recognizing that the Range Rover alone could not sustain the company, Land Rover management launched a program to develop a mid-range vehicle to compete with Japanese family 4x4s. Production was expected to begin by 1989 to meet company projections, and Land Rover developed new ways of working to achieve this goal. The Discovery exceeded all its targets, making Land Rover a best-seller in Europe as well. The model quickly became a benchmark for the Land Rover product range and is now in its fifth generation.

This book details the history of the original Discovery, with a wealth of images showcasing its many models and variants.