New generation Land Rover Discovery set for 2016 debut before going on sale late in the same year; gets new styling and luxurious interiors
The new generation Land Rover Discovery is in final stages of its preparation ahead of world premiere during the course of 2016. Inspired by the Discovery Vision concept showcased last year at the New York Motor Show in April, it will have a whole new design package with improved interiors, most unlikely to get the concept’s futuristic ones, and a lightweight body shell.
The fifth-generation luxury SUV will come with new sharper styling as apparent from several spied test mules, more aerodynamics-associated body for enhanced performance and handling in addition to plusher interiors for intentionally bringing it closer to the Range Rover. The seven-seater will spawn at least three Discovery models as has been confirmed by JLR.
One will be a compact version of the Discovery Sport SUV and the other could be an even more sized-down model as Land Rover appears to be expanding beyond its boundaries into new SUV segments which have huge potential and most importantly appeal to worldwide audiences.
The new-gen SUV will be built on the rigid aluminium bonded and riveted monocoque construction that underpins Range Rover and Range Rover Sport vehicles as opposed to the T5 ladder chassis of the existing Discovery which would bring the kerb weight of over 2.6 tonnes significantly down.
It will be produced at the British auto major’s manufacturing facility in Solihull, England. The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel found under the bonnet of the current-generation Discovery will receive minor tweaks for the international markets. It produces 245bhp of maximum power at 4,000 rpm and 600Nm of peak torque at 2,000 rpm at present.
The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission driving all four wheels. Power units from the Ingenium family could also be introduced along the way as four-cylinder or V6 mild hybrid engine if Jaguar further develops its modular engine tech.
The fifth-generation Discovery SUV will be featured with luxurious cabin whilst its class-leading off-road credentials won’t be any way compromised. It could act as developing ground to a laser scanning system that automatically alters transmission and suspension settings depending on the road surface. The futuristic Transparent Bonnet technology that reflects whatever underneath the car and can assist in parking on difficult scenarios could make way into the new seven-seater.
The facelifted version of JLR’s volume performer the Range Rover Evoque was launched in November this year with revised exterior and interior just a couple of months after the 2015 Discovery Sport and the exclusive Freelander 2 Sterling Edition were introduced into the Indian market.
Moreover, the Range Rover Evoque Convertible will be launched at the upcoming Auto Expo 2016 in February. The Land Rover Discovery is currently being sold in SE and HSE variants priced at 1.11crore and 1.20crore respectively. Expect the new generation model to be revealed here in the second half of 2016 or in early 2017.
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