DISCO SVX REVEALED

DISCOVERY SVX UNVEILED, AND IT’S COMING TO AUSTRALIA IN 2018.

LAND ROVER revealed its Discovery SVX concept at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. The SVX, powered by a 386kw/625nm supercharged 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine, features raised body height, significant suspension mods, 275/55 R20 Goodyear Wrangler rubber wrapped around forged-alloy wheels, an integrated rear-mounted electric winch, and front recovery points.

The big differences between this Disco and the ‘regular’ model include a system called Hydraulic Active Roll Control (H-ARC), which has been designed to up wheel articulation for off-roading, while better controlling bodyroll on-road. This combines with plenty of engineering work done to improve approach, breakover and departure angles – achieved through a combination of lifting the Disco’s monocoque body and air suspension set-up, which allowed fitment of those big tyres.

To make enough room for those tyres and to enable improved articulation, revised knuckles and long-travel shocks were fitted. On top of these mods, the SVX also cops active centre and rear locking diffs, along with a tweaked Terrain Response 2 off-road system and modified eight-speed auto. Land Rover has also fitted a ‘pistol shifter’, a more traditionally designed gearshift to “offer the driver optimum control of gear selection in off-road manoeuvres”.

If the raised suspension and big tyres don’t give away the fact the SVX is different, off-road-skewed styling cues such as model-specific front and rear bumpers (with skid plates), bright orange recovery points, exclusive

paint scheme and plenty of SVX logos dotted around the vehicle should.

A diesel engine powering this Discovery would make it a more viable off-road tourer, without a doubt. Still, it looks bloody impressive and we can only hope that some of its modifications do trickle down to the regular diesel models in the near future.

For those with the dosh, you can register your interest at www.landrover.com.au. Hell, we might even register ourselves – any chance to get this thing dirty, we’ll take it.

The SVX will be available here in Q3 of 2018. Expect local pricing to set you back north of $117K.