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Walkaround
The Land Rover LR3, introduced as an all-new product for 2005, replaces the Discovery. In fact, this vehicle continues to carry the Discovery name in other parts of the world. Land Rover says it's using the new alphanumeric nomenclature in the U.S. to better focus marketing efforts on the Land Rover brand. 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.The LR3 is considerably longer than the old Discovery. Its wheelbase is 13.6 inches longer. The new length is equal to that of the Ford Explorer and significantly improves highway stability, especially while towing. The added length gives the LR3 more grace and style than the Discovery. Overall, the LR3 presents a contemporary design but one that still conveys a sense of functionality. Land Rover styling has always been distinctive, generally driven by real world, functional requirements. The LR3 is no exception, carrying over most of the practical touches from the previous Discovery, but with sensible improvements. Most distinctive is the use of the stepped roof line, a recognized brand element preserved from the old Discovery. The stepped roof offers a distinct visual profile, but also creates headroom for rear-seat passengers to compensate for the high floor required to clear the center differential. Another example of distinctive Land Rover design is the asymmetric rear tailgate, which operates as an easy-open clamshell for the top half, and a standard tailgate for the bottom half. The result is exceptional ease of access, and reduced load lift height, while preserving a sheltered fold-out tailgate surface for true tail-gating at a campsite or stadium parking lot. Also noticeable is the use of a functional air intake vent on just one side because that was all that was needed.
Interior Features
The Land Rover LR3 is a comfortable vehicle. Seating comfort was notably improved over the old Discovery. Driver and front passenger get power-adjustable seats with adjustable armrests, and the second-row seats have generous headroom and legroom. Even the third-row seats can be considered habitable for adults.The large windows, longer wheelbase, and two overhead sunroofs, create a spacious, airy interior. The low beltline, with window sills well below shoulder level, not only helps lower the center of gravity, but also improves forward and downward vision, an important advantage when driving through rugged terrain or traversing narrow tracks, especially those with exposures to seemingly bottomless ravines. The instrument panel is clean, modern, and in keeping with the geometric exterior design. Controls are good sized, tactile, and significantly more intuitively arrayed than Land Rovers of the past. The new interior design gives up nothing to other SUVs in practical flexibility, which is welcome departure from past Land Rovers. The second-row seats fold down into the footwell, leaving a perfectly flat surface. Many SUVs do not offer the benefit of flat cargo areas. The third-row seats, if so equipped, can also fold flat, creating a six-foot load floor. Each rear seat folds independently, leaving numerous options for seating and cargo. As with every previous Land Rover, practicality in the outback is reflected in functional interior appointments. For the variety of stuff carried on a camping trip, there are four glove boxes, readily accessible stash zones and numerous drink holders. Flip-down grab handles are located at all four doors, and comfortable, solid grab points built into the front-seat headrests give occupants something to hold on to when the driver is exploring the LR3's impressive tilt, climb, and descent limits.
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