ALL-NEW DISCOVERY

Bolder look as Landie legend is redefined

THIS is our first official look at the brand-new Land Rover Discovery, ahead of its launch later this month. It’s the fifth incarnation of the popular offroader, and is expected to offer previously unseen levels of luxury when it goes on sale next year, priced from around £45,000.

JLR says the new Discovery embodies Land Rover’s drive to go “Above and beyond, combining British desirability with an unstoppable spirit of adventure”.

The single head-on teaser image shows a development of the recognisable face first seen on the Discovery Sport. However, the evolutionary design shows a wider stance, sharper air intakes and a defined scuff plate. The grille is carried over from the Sport almost unchanged, while new LED lights are expected to feature on all versions.

Bold

We’ve yet to see the new Discovery’s rear, but recent spy shots (below) have revealed the car almost undisguised. Again, it follows its smaller sibling’s bold look, yet features an offset number plate and stepped tailgate design like the outgoing Discovery. But the new SUV isn’t expected to carry over the split bootlid, instead using a single-piece design with an extendable boot floor.

Land Rover design chief Gerry Mcgovern said: “New Discovery redefines the large SUV. Land Rover’s design and engineering teams have revolutionised the Discovery DNA to create a highly desirable, extremely versatile and hugely capable premium SUV.”

We’ll have to wait for our first look inside, but sources suggest the new off-roader will be more luxurious and better finished than the current car. It will get a versatile seven-seat layout, featuring world-first tech that allows owners to adjust the seating from anywhere in the world using a smartphone app.

The new Discovery will represent the ‘leisure’ pillar in Land Rover’s new three-tier structure – with the next Defender occupying the gap left by the more agricultural outgoing Disco. The Defender isn’t expected to go on sale until at least 2018, though. Range Rover will continue to cover the brand’s luxury arm.

Yet despite moving upmarket, the Mk5 Disco will be more capable than ever offroad, thanks to the latest 4x4 tech. Engines will come from elsewhere in the JLR range, with the Discovery getting Land Rover’s new four-cylinder Ingenium units, plus more powerful V6s. Hybrids will also feature.

First official picture shows evolutionary look for new Land Rover “Evolutionary design shows a wider stance, with sharper air intakes”