2016 ’s MOST WANTED
THE 2004Discovery was
arguably the least ‘styled’car
ofthe decade. Four doors
without crease or contour,
ugly but protective plastic
wheelarches, myriadsquare
orrectangular motifsfrom
therearmost sideglass to
the chunkyfront bumper,
Geoff Upex’s creation was
a Bauhaus masterpiece:
maximumfunctionality,
minimumadornment. Tothese
eyes, it was anicon.ToLand
Rover, it was apolarising
design statement that repelled
too manyprospects, andit
had togo.
Sothis isthe new Discovery,
coming summer 2016.
Admittedly, it’s the 20 14 Vision
showcar, but that carIS the new
Discovery, downtoitsslanted
waistline, slittylamps and
sculpted bodysides. It’s every
inch the vogueishcrossover,
rather than bluff SUV. Here’s
whatelseyou canexpect.1
THE CONCEPT
Range Rover majors
on luxury, Defender
oncapability, andthe
Discoveryfamily is all about
versatility. ‘In Discovery
you’ll see an absolutefocus
on this: they’ll be the most
versatile cars in thesegments
in which theycompete,’ then-
group marketing director
Phil Pophamtold TopCar.
‘Discoverys will offer efficient
and creativeuseofspace,
re-configurabilityespecially
of seating position, andtheabilitytotakeseven people
comfortably.’
Sofar, sofamiliar. One detail
that is changing istoday’s
two-piecetailgate, which
makes way for aconventional
hatchback. Expectthere tobe
a clever fold-outshelf, which
you canusefor apicnic table/
seat/paparazzi shots ofthe
nextroyal baby. Versatile,eh?2
THETOYS
TheDisco’s fiverear
seats will fold, slide and
stowindependently,
andwill befully motorised.
Expectthe configuration
process tobe effortlessand
options almostlimitless.If
there’s fourofyou,power the
middle row out ofthe way and
wallow in legroomtoshame
a limousine. Seats will fold
into mini-tables too.Sadly a
lot ofthe Discovery Vision
concept’s technologiesaren’t
yet ready for production–
remote-control driving and
laser-guided wading –but the
Discoverywill haveseriousoff-roadability. You set
the obstacle on the Terrain
Responsedial– shifting
sands, rocks, mud uptothe
wheelcentres –and let the
electronics precisely meter
torque toaxles andindividual
wheels for insatiable progress.3
THESTRUCTURE
TheoutgoingDiscovery’s
Achilles’ heelis its
obesity, bellyflopping
it into the listofthe heaviest
cars. Blamethe T5platform,
with itsold-fashioned body-on-
frame design.The new model
will slash hundredsofkilos off
the kerbweight, byswitching
tothe aluminium monocoque
chassisthat underpins the
big Range Rovers. Agility,
performance andeconomy
will be transformed, especially
with the returnofthe four-pot
Disco: a150kW+2.0-litre
diesel with twin turbosis
rumouredtobe in theworks.
There’ll besix-cylinder, V8and
hybrid engines too.Expected
salesin thefourthquarter.LANDROVER
DISCOVERY
MAKES A SWISS ARMY
KNIFE LOOK USELESS
THEEVOQUEhas been agamechanger.
It proveda smaller Range Rover was just
asdesirableasa big one,gaveJLR the
confidence topushmoreavant-garde
design,andraked in cash.In late 20 16,
LandRover will again minethis successful
formula, with anew,fourthRange Rover
model. Codenamed L560, the premium4x4
is positionedbetweenEvoque and Range
Rover Sport –precisely where its rivals,
the BMWX3andAudi Q5, sit. Sources
say the five-door SUV’s design takes
the Evoqueformula andmakes it more
aggressiveanddynamic. Under the skin,
L560has an aluminium chassis, like the big
Range RoversandJaguarF-Pace(pictured
above). Thelightweight constructionwill
be novel in its class, and help maximise
economy and cut emissions. WhileJag’s
F-Pacehas anon-roadbias, L560will have
a higherride height and be primedto
conquer off-road, using itsadaptablefour-
wheeldrive selectedbya Terrain Response
controller. Coreengineis the four-pot
‘Ingenium’diesel, andits2.0-litre petrol
cousin should beready for L560. Rangie’s
X3could sell upto 80000 unitsa year.
Priced competitively, wepredict another
smash hit –justlike the Evoque.RANGE ROVER’S ‘X3’
THERE’ S A GAP IN THE
RANGE ROVER LINE-UP.
NOT FOR LONG, WITH A
SLEEK,ALUMINIU M 4X4
ON THE WAY...
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