All-new 2017 Land Rover Discovery breaks cover

The 2017 Land Rover Discovery has finally been unveiled, sporting a sophisticated design and a raft of modern technologies.

Said to embody Land Rover’s drive to go Above and Beyond, the fifth-generation Discovery benefits from the brand’s strong, safe and light full-size SUV architecture.

Gerry McGovern, Land Rover’s Chief Design Officer 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 truly believe the result is a radical departure in design that will introduce the Discovery Family to a new, wider customer base.”

Previewed by the Discovery Vision Concept, the new sheet metal gives the Discovery a dynamic appearance with sophisticated surfaces and precisely engineered details.

Its trademark stepped roofline is said to optimise headroom for passengers in the third row of seats, as well as enabling a stadium style seating configuration, which sees each row of seats positioned higher than the one in front.

It also provides a world-first Intelligent Seat Fold technology, allowing customers to reconfigure the second- and third-row seats with minimal effort using controls at the rear of the vehicle, the central touchscreen and even remotely via a smartphone app as part of the InControl Touch Pro Services.

The innovative feature allows owners to rearrange the seats from inside a shop while they queue to pay for large or bulky items, ensuring the vehicle is perfectly configured to accommodate their purchases.

All three rows are available with heated seats – heated and cooled in rows one and two – while massage seats are available for the driver and front passenger.

Auto Access Height technology reduces the ride-height by up to 40mm as passengers prepare to enter or exit the vehicle.

The interior of the new Discovery continues the design revolution started by the Discovery Sport, with up-to-date technologies and a large 10-inch touchscreen coupled with a 14-speaker Meridian digital surround sound system with subwoofer and WiFi.

Up to six 12V charging points ensure New Discovery is perfectly equipped to cope with the demands of the most connected families, while as many as seven USB sockets (up to nine when the rear seat entertainment is fitted) allow passengers in each row to power their smartphones or tablets simultaneously.

Another technology feature for active families is Land Rover’s Activity Key wristband, which allows customers to enjoy sports and active hobbies without carrying the standard key fob. Holding the waterproof Activity Key up to the ‘D’ in the Discovery badge on the tailgate simultaneously locks the vehicle and disables the ordinary key, which can be left safely inside.

The premium SUV provides up to 2,500 litres of load capacity, or up to 1,231 litres behind row two, accessed via the new dual-purpose Powered Inner Tailgate

The new model is up to 480kg lighter than the outgoing model. It is powered by Land Rover’s Ingenium diesel engine delivery 177kW of power and 500Nm of torque and is capable of towing up to 3,500kg. A semi-autonomous Advanced Tow Assist takes the stress out of difficult reversing manoeuvres.

At launch, the first 2,400 examples will be the ‘First Edition’ model featuring exclusive features including unique etched map detailing on the aluminium trim for the doors and fascia, unique badges, bold colour choices and a comprehensive list of standard equipment.

An optional Dynamic Design Pack gives the new Discovery a more purposeful, stealth-like appearance both inside and out, including a contrast roof, athletic front and rear bumper designs, luxurious leather upholstery and a sports-inspired steering wheel and pedals.

The new 2017 Land Rover Discovery will go on sale in Australia from July 2017 priced from $81,590 for the Td4 SE 7 seat.