Tech-packed Land Rover Disco lands July 2017

Land Rover’s Discovery 5 will touch down on Australian dirt in July next year bringing with it a significant step up in the technology stakes and a $3400 reduction which takes the entry-level price to $65,960 before on-road costs.

Taking the baton from the Disco 4, the new-generation model eschews the traditional boxy styling of previous generations in favour of a softened look which continues to proliferate in the Land Rover and Range Rover family.

Along with the angular design has gone the Discovery’s ladder-frame chassis with bolt-on body, replaced instead with a more modern monocoque construction with aluminium platform. 

The dramatically different architecture has saved a whopping 480kg from the kerb weight which is expected to register significantly at the bowser, although the British car-maker is yet to confirm performance and economy figures.

With less bulk to carry around, Land Rover was able to offer the 2.0-litre Ingenium four-cylinder diesel engine for the new Discovery and not just the smaller Discovery Sport and Evoque models, as well as sister brand Jaguar’s XE and XF luxury sedans.

Customers will have an extensive options list to customise their Discovery with.

Two states of tune will be on offer including a TD4 version with 132kW and 430Nm while a twin-turbo SD4 180kW/500Nm variant will likely sit further up the range. The previous flagship 3.0-litre V6 diesel carries over to the Discovery 5 with 190kW and 600Nm and a TD6 badge.

According to Land Rover, the entry-level engine is capable of returning fuel economy of 6.2 litres per 100km while the more potent donk can manage 6.4L/100km on the combined cycle. The six-cylinder manages 7.2L/100km.

Beyond the initial three diesels a supercharged V6 petrol is expected at a point down the line borrowing the 250kW six-cylinder from other models such as the entry-level Jaguar F-Type sportscar and XE-S flagship executive sedan, and wearing the Si6 badge.

In all cases, the Discovery will have an eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to all fours, but customers will be offered an optional transfer box for low range gears and more ability off-road.

The most affordable versions of the Discovery will be offered in S specification, an SE and HSE version is positioned in the middle of the range while the top end is occupied by the HSE Luxury. A TD6 First Edition will be offered at launch in limited numbers and takes the total variant count to 13, although that number may be added to in time.

Exact specification will be detailed closer to July but base S kit includes 19-inch wheels, and 8.0-inch touchscreen, six-speaker sound system, ISOFIX child seat anchors and five seats, but customers will be offered a seven seat option.

SE versions will be embellished with equipment such as navigation, four more speakers and front parking sensors, while the HSE adds a few more goodies in the form of a 10-inch touchscreen top-spec navigation with off-road information, 20-inch wheels, 360-degree camera and a power tailgate.

Customers will have an extensive options list to customise their Discovery with, choosing from items that include an electrically folding rear seat that can be controlled remotely with a smartphone application, heaters for all three seating rows costs $2490 and upgrading an S version with navigation costs $1610.

Auto emergency braking, lane-departure warning, reverse camera and rear parking sensors are standard fare on all Discoverys.

Do you miss the classic Discovery boxy styling? Tell us what you think in the comments below.