An important lesson to learn the first time that one is let go from a job is that regardless of the caliber of one's work you are replaceable. One of the best-selling SUVs in its class, the Discovery, has been replaced with the all-new LR3. (I'll try not to wax too nostalgic about Discovery's British Embassy premiere and its christening by Princess Margaret.) The LR3 is the first vehicle to be developed by the new management team that took over Land Rover in July 2000, following the purchase of Ford Motor Company.

A great car begins with the engine, and the LR3 has that. The base V6 is developed from a turbodiesel that was only available in Europe until it was retooled for the Jaguar S-Type. That Jaguar engine has been developed extensively to suit the LR3. It produces 190hp and 325lb ft of torque. A 4.0-liter 215hp V6 engine that produces torque of 265 lb ft. will be available in select markets.

For dynamic on-road (or off-road) performance, the top-of-the-range engine option is a 4.4-liter 295hp V8, derived from the S-type Jaguar's AJ-V8 4.2-liter engine. Land Rover has increased the engine's maximum low-end torque to 315lb ft, greatly weatherproofed it against dust and water and revised the engine's breathing to enable wading through rivers. So expect it to get you cross any kind of terrain, whether you're on African Safari or on highway traffic that just feels like it.


Connected to the LR3 engine is a six-speed electronically controlled ZF automatic transmission. It offers a ‘sport' mode which delivers more throttle response and gear shifting, This includes Land Rover's Command Shift operation which gives the driver full manual control of the gears. While the drive goes to all four wheels, Electronic Traction Control and Dynamic Stability Control modulate power supply and braking, ensuring maximum. Throttle response, gear change patterns and suspension settings are also computer controlled, determined by speed and road conditions. The LR3 has a towing capacity of 7700 pounds.

Externally, the LR3 is not much bigger than it's predecessor. The cabin has a generous amount of features including five or seven comfortable seats, and a Terrain Response system (previewed on the recent Range Stormer concept car). It greatly simplifies the terrain settings into five choices by switching a rotary dial on the center console. It consists of a general driving program, one option for slippery conditions (grass/gravel/snow) and three special off-road modes (mud and ruts/sand/rock crawl). Terrain Response then automatically selects the most appropriate settings. The functions controlled by Terrain Response include ride height, engine torque response, Hill Descent Control (which limits downhill speed), Electronic Traction Control, transmission and differential settings. The LR3 also offers the option of adaptive headlights that swivel with the direction of travel to illuminate the road ahead.

Entry-level models use coil springs and double wishbone suspension is used in the front and rear. Height adjustable air springs, similar to those used on the Range Rover, will be fitted to the majority of LR3s.

The standard features for an LR3 are eighteen-inch wheels, privacy glass, a roof rack, rear window wiper, rear liftgate door, four-wheel ABS, emergency braking assist, traction control, stability control, dual front airbags with head protection chambers, side-mounted airbags, rear center three-point belt, remote anti-theft alarm system, engine immobilizer, driver head restraint whiplash protection system, passenger head restraint whiplash protection system, electronic brakeforce distribution, leather upholstery, eight-way power driver seat, six-way power passenger seat, split-bench/folding rear seat, rear ventilation ducts, remote power door locks, power windows, power mirrors, heated mirrors, cruise control, speed-proportional power steering, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, front and rear cupholders, front and rear door pockets, front console with storage
retainer accessory power, dual zone climate controls, driver and passenger interior air filtration, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather trim on center console, and a cargo area light.

While I don't think it matters much what you call an automobile (P.T. Barnum is often quoted as saying "Just spell name right!") still, for one who is numerically challenged, I like the old-school system of automobile names. I have no idea what LR3 says about a car's philosophy or mission but Discovery gave me a good idea. To be fair, other upscale vehicles designate their models alphanumerically so why not Land Rover?

The interior was very comfortable and so was the ride — what I have come to expect from Land Rover. With three rows and seven-passenger seating, there's enough room for you, your carpool kids and your rock climbing club. At maximum passenger capacity of seven passengers, carrying cargo is limited. We barely got one hockey bag in before having to fold down the third row seats (thankfully they fold flush into the floor) to allow room for a second hockey bag and sticks. So either the carpool kids or the rock climbers have to stay home if you need the maximum cargo space. For 2006, though, the third-row seating will be standard (the only change to the LR3).

Otherwise, we loved the ease of ingress and egress (i.e., it wasn't too high off the ground) and overall it was a fun automobile to drive. We drove the LR3 with the 4.4-liter 295hp V8 with all the options on it. It was $49,330 with 14/19 mpg (automatic). Average, or the low-end of average mpg. If you're in the market for a moderately-priced, upscale SUV then consider the LR3. It'll see you through those ups and downs safely — unlike real life. R&D