Use the scroll buttons on the right to view the images

The Land Rover Discovery celebrates a 20-year legacy of staying true to its heritage, while evolving to consistently tackle the challenges of being a workhorse, tow car, law enforcer, status symbol, people carrier and mud plugger.

The original design, launched on the 16 November 1989, was intended to plug the gap between the utilitarian Land Rover Defender and the more luxurious Range Rover. The Discovery soon became the perfect niche vehicle for the growing demands of the family 4x4 market.

By 1994 range-topping Discovery models featured leather upholstery and wood veneer trim, and when the Series II Discovery was introduced in 1998 it added a sophisticated new heating, air-conditioning and ventilation system for increased comfort in all climates.

This ethos of evolution to winning effect continues in today?s Discovery 4.

Land Rover managing director Phil Popham in a statement said: "The Discovery legend has been built on innovative design and advanced technology. From the introduction of high-efficiency direct-injection diesel technology into the 4x4 market in 1989, to pioneering occupant safety with the adoption of twin airbags in 1998, Discovery has led the way.

"It is truly the best loved SUV the world over. Today, we sell the Discovery in 91 countries and sales to date have hit over and above 900 000."

20 facts about the Land Rover Discovery

  • The subtle bump in the roofline of the latest Discovery 4 is a deliberate visual reference to the original Discovery, where a raised rear roof section was necessary to give enough headroom for passengers in the rearmost seats.

  • 392 443 first-generation Discoverys were built in nine years, an average of 43 604 per year. There were 278 570 Series II models in six years, 220 057 Discovery 3 models in five years, before the arrival of the 2010 Discovery 4.

  • The pioneering direct-injection system used for the diesel engines of the first-generation Discovery was specifically intended to deliver class-leading economy, as was the use of Electronic Unit Injectors on the Series II models' TD5 diesel engine.

  • The 1989 Discoverys were launched as three-door models, the family-oriented five-door followed in 1990 on the same wheelbase. Customer demand dictated that five-doors was the way forward so no three-door Series II was ever put into production.

  • All-round visibility has always been a pre-requisite on the Discovery. The Discovery has five miniature cameras that transmit pictures to a dash-mounted information screen and can function at speeds up to 11mph.

    Page two ... Headlights and world journeys