1999 Land Rover Discovery II Photos, engines & full specs

In the autumn of 1998, Land Rover introduced the fresh, brand-new second generation of the Discovery, offering more than just a rugged off-roading vehicle.

At that time, Land Rover said that the Discovery sports an "Evolution that hides a revolution," and in terms of design, they were absolutely right. At first sight, not many people could distinguish the Disco II from its predecessor. And yet, despite using the many underpinnings from the 1970 Range Rover, there were significant changes both on the interior and exterior, including the drivetrain.

On the outside, the SUV kept the flat front fascia with rectangular headlights, although they looked bigger than on its predecessor. Also, the hood received a slight cut above the headlamps, and its front edge was not straight anymore. Discovery II also sported a plastic, body-colored bumper that integrated the fog lights. From its profile, the unique two-step shape of the roof was kept, and so were the upper rear glass areas. Yet, the grab handles for the doors were not upgraded to flush ones. Finally, at the back, the side-hinged door also served as a support for the spare wheel.

The interior was revolutionary compared with its predecessor. While it still retained the utilitarian appearance, it was more refined. For instance, the low-mounted dashboard allowed occupants to enjoy a panoramic view through the generous windshield. At the same time, the center stack hosted the controls for the HVAC system and the stereo that was mounted right underneath it. The wide center console was configured to host two cup holders, the gear selector for the gearbox, and the lever for the transfer box. A pair of wide bucket seats fitted with individual armrests provided a comfortable ride. In the back, three passengers could sit on the 60/40 split-folding bench. Finally, as an option, Land Rover provided two front-facing jump seats in the trunk area.

Under the hood, the Discovery came fitted with an in-house developed 2.5-liter, inline-five turbo-diesel. The only option for a gasoline unit was a new 3.9-liter V8. Power went in all corners via three differentials.