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© 1999-2004
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Land Rover Discovery Series II Discovery Series II, Land Rover's newest model, is having an immensely successful first year. First available in January 1999, Discovery Series II set a six-month sales record for Land Rover. As of June 1999, year-to-date sales for Discovery Series II, the most popular Land Rover in the North American market, were up almost 35 percent compared with the same period in 1998.
Furthermore, Discovery Series II has garnered clear praise in recent months for its amazing on- and off-road versatility and its array of industry-leading technology. Discovery Series II was awarded Automobile Magazine's 1999 All-Star award for Best Compact Sport-Utility Vehicle. Discovery Series II's optional Active Cornering Enhancement (ACE) system-the first of its kind in the sport-utility segment-won the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada's 1999 Best New Technology Award. ACE is a computer-controlled system that significantly reduces vehicle body lean during cornering maneuvers. Hill Descent Control (HDC), another Land Rover-exclusive technology, made its debut on Discovery Series II.
WHAT'S NEW: Several changes have been made to the Discovery Series II product range for the 2000 model year. Due to popular demand, the rear air conditioning package is now available as a stand-alone option on all Series II models. All Series II vehicles manufactured after July 1999 feature Sport Mode Latching, a system that holds the vehicle's transmission in Sport Mode-even through cycling of the ignition, until it is deselected by the driver. Interior upgrades to Discovery Series II include a compass integrated into the auto-dimming rearview mirror and a fuel filler door indicator that has been added to the instrument cluster. Two new paint colors, Alveston Red and Kent Green, are available for the 2000 model year.
DISCOVERY SERIES II-LEADING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY: Discovery Series II is one of the most technologically advanced compact sport-utility vehicles available. Land Rover's optional Active Cornering Enhancement and standard Hill Descent Control systems, combined with an optional rear Self-Leveling Suspension, provide Discovery Series II with excellent performance both on and off the beaten path. Discovery Series II is the only production sport-utility vehicle that features Active Cornering Enhancement (ACE), an optional system that reduces vehicle body lean during cornering. Two accelerometers detect-and instruct the ACE computer to counteract-vehicle body lean by applying torque to the vehicle's torsion bars via a system of hydraulically controlled actuators. ACE virtually eliminates lateral body movement up to 0.4 g. Above that threshold, the system allows a progressively higher degree of lean as cornering forces increase. This lets the driver feel that the vehicle is approaching its cornering limit. ACE can counteract up to 1.0 g of lateral acceleration in less than 130 milliseconds, helping to make Discovery Series II feel more stable and responsive during cornering. The reduced vehicle body movement also increases passenger comfort. Discovery Series II's suspension system is designed to provide both a supple on-road ride and the supreme off-road agility that marks every Land Rover model. The vehicle's rugged design incorporates solid axles front and rear. The front axle is located with two forged steel radius arms. A Panhard rod locates the axle laterally to the chassis and helps the vehicle resist extreme cornering forces. Dampers and single-rate coil springs allow for on-road control and the long wheel travel necessary for off-road performance. All bushings and progressive-rate bump stops have been tuned to provide both better control and low NVH levels. Two forged-steel trailing arms locate the rear axle. A Watts linkage system provides lateral location of the rear axle and allows for long wheel travel. Rear suspension geometry enhances vehicle stability by reducing rear-end lift during heavy braking. Vehicles without the rear air springs of the optional Self-Leveling Suspension (SLS) package (see below) are fitted with multi-rate coil springs at the rear. As with the front suspension, tuned bushings and progressive-rate bump stops reduce NVH and enhance ride performance. Hill Descent Control (HDC), a system pioneered by Land Rover that increases vehicle capability in off-road conditions, is standard on Discovery Series II. HDC supplements engine braking by monitoring the vehicle's wheel speed and automatically applying the brakes as necessary to help maintain optimum vehicle speed and control while descending steep, slippery slopes. The driver engages HDC via a switch on the instrument panel after Low Range has been selected. This system is particularly useful in situations when engine braking capabilities are less than optimal (e.g. in high-altitude regions). Brake or accelerator pedal operation will override HDC when the system is engaged. The system is not in continuous operation. Rather, it activates as necessary to supplement Discovery Series II's powerful engine braking ability during a descent. Discovery Series II's optional Self-Leveling Rear Suspension (SLS) uses sensors, an air compressor and rear air springs to maintain optimum vehicle ride height and performance under all normal-use load conditions. SLS can raise the rear of the vehicle by up to 1.6 inches above Standard Mode to increase the vehicle's departure angle, thereby improving overall off-road performance. The system activates automatically when the engine is running and the sensors detect an uneven ride height. Extended Mode will automatically raise the rear of the vehicle automatically-by pushing the rear axle downward-should the vehicle become high-centered. Furthermore, Discovery Series IIs built after December 1999 may be ordered with an optional remote, hand-held activation mechanism that allows SLS to lower the rear of the vehicle by up to 4 inches below Standard Mode (normal ride height) to facilitate loading or attaching a trailer hitch. When equipped with this feature, Discovery Series II offers a total height adjustment range of 5.6 inches. SLS is ideal for people who carry heavy, uneven loads or who use their Discovery Series II for towing. THE LINEUP: Discovery Series II's standard features include a 4.0-litre engine, an electronically-controlled automatic transmission, permanent four-wheel drive, four-wheel Electronic Traction Control, Hill Descent Control, a four-channel, all-terrain Anti-lock Brake System and a body-integrated Class III tow hitch receiver. Standard comfort and convenience features include a six-speaker, 100-watt audio system, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, a perimetric vehicle security system, electrically-adjustable, heated wing mirrors and a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel with cruise control and remote stereo functions. Four option packages are available for Discovery Series II.
Individual vehicle options include a leather-trimmed interior, rear air-conditioning, dual sunroofs, a six-disc CD auto-changer and Self-Leveling Suspension (SLS). Three leather interior color palettes are available: Bahama Beige with Ash Black piping, Smokestone Gray with Smokestone piping and Lightstone with Bahama piping. All Land Rover vehicles are backed by a 4-year/50,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, a 6-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion perforation limited warranty and Land Rover 24-Hour Road RecoverySM service. September 1999
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