Discovery 5: Who needs roads?

Experience with the Range Rover models — with which Discovery 5 shares underpinnings and powertrains — suggests much improved agility, impressive comfort and V6 diesel torque will provide relaxed performance. Hopefully will experience the new Discovery over a few hundred kilometres of an interesting highway to complete the introduction.

The design of the new Discovery sets a new direction after four previous generations. First impressions are this may be a less rugged Discovery because the upright styling has gone and is replaced by a sleeker silhouette retaining just the merest hint of the Discovery’s step- roofline design signature.

The frontal design becomes more closely aligned to a Range Rover visual but at the rear the number plate retains its offset positioning even though the split level rear glass hasn’t carried over. The stance of the Discovery changes noticeably depending on the suspension height setting and the choice of wheels.

The new Discovery stands 36mm lower and is 141mm longer overall than its predecessor with a 38mm increase in wheelbase while having the same width. There’s increased cabin space with the third- row seats capable of accommodating a 95th percentile adult.

Fold the second and third row seats and there is 2500 litres of load space and Land Rover says there is 44.9 litres of interior storage space within door bins and hidden compartments. Tallying up 12- volt and USB outlets there are 13 charging points in the Discovery.

The key to the agility and efficiency gains over the previous model is weight loss. Based on the same platform as the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, the Discovery chassis is 85 per cent aluminium. The like- for- like model weight reduction for a V6 diesel is in the region of 260kg.