About The Discovery Series I.

The Discovery Series I was first offered for 1989 as a more nimble counterpart to the bruiser Defender, and as a more contemporary, cost-friendly alternative to the higher-end Range Rover. It was originally only offered as a three-door, although a five-door was later offered starting in 1990.

You could buy the Discovery with either a 2.5L diesel 200Tdi, or a 3.5L Rover V8. You could only get the Discovery with a five-speed manual, although a four-speed ZF automatic was later offered for starting in the 1992 model year.

Additional updates for 1992 included more interior and exterior color choices, side decal, and additional options. Further, it featured permenant four-wheel drive via the LT230 transfer box and locking center differential.

The LT230 transfer box had a 3.2:1 low ratio, and a variable high ratio depending on the application. The LT230 is noteworthy for its longevity despite heavy four-wheel application, and for being employed for over 30 years on the Defender and Discovery.

By adding in airbags for the 1994 model year, the Discovery was finally able to make its way to the States, allowing Land Rover to go head-to-head in a surging mid-size SUV market against models like the Jeep Cherokee, Ford Explorer, and Chevy Blazer. These North American Spec (NAS) Discovery models were offered only with the upgraded version of the 3.5L Rover V8: the same 3.9L V8 offered in the Range Rover SE models. The Discovery Series I lasted until the Discovery Series II took its place in 1998.