One for the Pro: Land Rover Introduces Commercial derivative of the Discovery 3 / LR3

I don’t know if this version’s going to have any impact on the Discovery’s status-quo in Europe (imagine seeing your plumber for example in one of these!) but it’s sure going to make a few professionals smile with pride. The Light Commercial version of the Discovery boasts a loadspace of 2.130 litres –no thanks to the removal of the rear seats and it will be available from March in two specs, the Discovery 3 Commercial and the Discovery 3 XS Commercial. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the official press release and specifications

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PRESS RELEASE: In response to high customer demand, Land Rover has announced that it is to launch a commercial derivative of the award-winning Discovery 3, which will go on sale on the 19 March 2007. Since launch in 2004, the Discovery 3 has demonstrated a class-leading breadth of capability and accrued awards from all over the world. Now, it has been engineered with approval from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to gain N1 Light Commercial 4x4 Vehicle status. Business users will therefore be able to take advantage of the Benefit in Kind tax and full VAT reclaim associated with Light Commercial Vehicles.

There will be two derivatives available: the Discovery 3 Commercial and the Discovery 3 XS Commercial. Standard features include 2130 litres of loadspace with a full length phenolic floor, privacy glass, two-piece bulkhead, four corner air suspension and Terrain Response. “Since launch, our dealers have received a number of requests from customers for a commercial derivative, many of whom bought standard models and then converted them independently for their own commercial use,” stated John Edwards, Land Rover UK managing director.

“The launch of the Discovery 3 Commercial means that for the first time, customers are now able to purchase a Land Rover approved Discovery 3 commercial vehicle, which benefits from the superior levels of ride, handling, comfort and equipment offered by the standard Discovery 3. We believe the Discovery Commercial will further re-define the 4x4 commercial segment.”

All Land Rover vehicles include a CO2 offset for the first 45,000 miles within the on-the-road price. Administered by Climate Care, an independent CO2 offset provider, the program ensures that the average amount of CO2 produced by a Land Rover is offset by investments in a mixed portfolio of projects, including renewable energy, technology change and energy efficiency initiatives.

The complete specifications are as follows:

TRIM LEVEL -PRICE STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Discovery 3 Commercial -£28,240 17” alloy wheels, four corner air suspension, privacy glass and window inserts, non-smokers pack, Four-Channel all-terrain ABS, central high mounted stop lamp, Active Roll Mitigation, cloth seats, full length phenolic loadspace floor, manual 6-speed transmission, volumetric alarm, noble plate finish, Electronic Brake Assist, Dynamic Stability Control, electronic park brake, two-piece bulkhead

Discovery 3 XS Commercial -£31,740 As above plus: powerfold exterior mirrors, roof rails, 18” alloy wheels, cruise control, bright pack, heated front screen and washer jets, rear park distance control, Hi ICE pack, Air Con ATC

Vehicle Data Discovery 3 Commercial Discovery 3 XS Commercial

Loadspace

Loadspace volume (litres) 2130 2130

Weights

EEC kerb weight (kg) 2593 (max) 2602 (max)

Max front axle (kg) 1450 1450

Max rear axle (kg) 1855 1855

Fuel Economy

Urban – mpg (manual/auto) 25.4 / 21.6 25.4 / 21.6

Extra urban – mpg (manual/auto) 34.9 / 33.2 34.9 / 33.2

Combined – mpg (manual/auto) 30.7 / 27.7 30.7 / 27.7

CO2 – g/km (manual/auto) 244 / 270 244 / 270

Towing

Max towing (kg) 3500 3500