Fifth-gen Land Rover Discovery to debut in 2016

The fifth-generation Land Rover Discovery is set to be unveiled in 2016. The new Discovery will share its aluminium intensive monocoque frame with the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, replacing the T5 ladder-frame chassis of the current model. The new model should subsequently see weight saving benefits as well. The new Discovery will be built alongside the two Range Rovers at Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull plant.

In terms of exterior design, the new model will draw its styling cues from the Discovery Vision concept (pictured) that was revealed at the New York motor show in 2014. The test mules spotted so far confirm that the next-generation model will sport a design that's close to the concept's.

The main engine for markets like Europe is expected to be an updated version of the 3.0L SDV6 unit seen in the current Discovery, while JLR's Ingenium engine family could be added at a later stage. Land Rover's design director Gerry McGovern stated that the new Discovery will receive more premium interiors, with the cabin designed to be more Range Rover-like.

The SUV could also feature technologies like remote parking and a laser scanning system that will enable the suspension and transmission to make adjustments based on the road ahead. 

The new Discovery is expected to be one of at least three Discovery models, including the Discovery Sport. There could be a model smaller than the Discovery Sport in the future, helping JLR take advantage of the rising global demand for SUV's.

Source: Autocar