Disco scores 09MY update

LAND Rover’s evergreen Discovery SUV has come in for a 2009 model year spruce-up, which brings with it an $1100 price rise at base level that sees the Discovery SE V6 increase from $65,390 to $66,490.

The 09MY Discovery 3 comes with numerous exterior revisions, plus new interior trims and specification upgrades, yet other prices remain unchanged at $67,590 (S TDV6), $75,990 (SE TDV6), $86,590 (HSE TDV6) and $92,990 (HSE V8).

Heading the list of exterior cosmetic upgrades for all variants is the addition of body-coloured bumpers, revised rear bumpers and wheel-arches (now body-coloured on SE and HSE variants), a body coloured tailgate lift handle and clear-lens side indicators.

SE and HSE variants also gain revised ‘tungsten’ coloured side vents, while a new 19-inch seven-spoke wheel style and three new exterior metallic paint colours - Santorini Black, Galway Green and Bournville (“black with a hint of brown”) round out the exterior upgrades.

In terms of extra specification, the entry-level TDV6 S now comprises air suspension and Terrain Response, while leather seat trim is now an option.

All SE derivatives come with the Discovery’s Hi ICE sound system as standard, comprising a six-CD in-dash changer, eight Harmon/Kardon speakers and steering wheel controls.

HSV variants score the Premium ICE system as standard, including 13 Harmon/Kardon speakers and Logic 7 surround sound.

Finally, a new Technology Pack is now available as an option on SE and HSE versions, combining Premium Navigation and Bluetooth Phone Integration (PTI).

“With over 100 international awards to date, the Land Rover Discovery 3 has earned itself a reputation as the ultimate all purpose vehicle, said Land Rover Australia general manager Roger Jory.

“The latest revisions add to an already class-leading package and build on the Discovery 3's unique position as one of the most versatile vehicles in the world. (The Discovery offers) on-road refinement to rival executive saloons, flexibility to surpass people carriers and class-leading all terrain capability.”

Launched in April 2005, the MkIII Discovery continues to be a popular choice in the luxury SUV segment, sales of which plunged 40 per cent in November to be down seven percent so far this year.

Despite this and a 33 per cent sales dive in November (an even larger sales downturn than Land Rover’s Range Rover Vogue and Sport models), Disco sales are up 2.8 per cent this year.

In fact, having overtaken the Mercedes-Benz M-class and Volvo’s XC90, the Discovery is now Australia’s third most popular luxury SUV and holds a nine per cent share of the segment behind BMW’s top-selling X5 (18.8 per cent) and the Lexus RX (12.3 per cent).

Other luxury SUVs to experience a sales reduction by one-third in November were Audi’s Q7 and Jeep’s Grand Cherokee, while sales of the X5, RX, XC and Porsche Cayenne were half as strong month on month in November. Mercedes’ ML and GL SUV models were down a staggering 66 and 72 per cent respectively last month.