Engineering investment gives new Discovery an edge

The soon-to-be-launched Land Rover Discovery 3 will have the finish and feel of a premium quality car, thanks in part to a collaboration with Coventry-based Visioneering UK.

The soon-to-be-launched Land Rover Discovery 3 will have the finish and feel of a premium quality car, thanks in part to a collaboration with Coventry-based Visioneering UK, which has been working with the vehicle manufacturer on tooling for the body shell.

Land Rover, which conceived its new Discovery with the intention of providing the best driving experience both on and off-road, recognised that customers for the new vehicle - announced at the Detroit Motor Show in the spring and due for launch in the UK later this summer - will require a high level of refinement in ride, handling and also in the vehicle's exterior styling and finish.

Visioneering UK, a leading partner in the design and manufacture of component tooling and fixtures for automotive, aerospace and other industries, worked closely with Land Rover to design and manufacture the panel matching tools and the environmental cube, a tool that is designed to ensure preproduction and volume production accuracy.

Visioneering also played a significant part in the development of the data control models.

Brian Horner, Chief Executive of Visioneering UK, said: "The body shell is one of the most important parts of any vehicle, its accuracy of build determines the overall vehicle quality to the customer when the trim components are fitted".

"It is therefore vital that it can be produced to a high level of repeatability".

"While virtual design reviews have a major role to play in 21st century vehicle development, they do not always allow subtle aspects to be clearly seen".

"A full-scale mockup can enable subtle problems and irregularities to be identified and addressed at an early stage in the design process, saving both time and money for the vehicle manufacturer".

"The Discovery 3 was conceived to provide the best driving experience both on-road and off.

No effort has been spared by Land Rover or by its engineering partners to ensure that this is what it will provide".

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