Land Rover Discovery SVX - Frankfurt 2017

The V8 Discovery returns, with 525hp!

Land Rover has announced a sprucing up of its Discovery range, including the addition of a 300hp, four-cylinder petrol engine. The entire line up gets a 10-inch touchscreen in the centre console, SE trim levels and above now include a 4G WiFi hotspot for greater connectivity, and HSE models and above get a 12.3-inch interactive driver display featuring "contemporary graphics that create the impression of 3D surfaces."

Wonky looks matter less with more than 500hp!

Right, now we're done with that we can talk about this: the Discovery SVX. It features a 5.0-litre, supercharged V8 petrol engine putting out 525hp and 460lb ft. There's also increased ground clearance, body and suspension lifts, greater wheel articulation, large diameter all-terrain tyres, a tuned Terrain Response 2 system, Active Roll Control and a rear-mounted winch as standard. The only 3D surfaces you'll be experiencing here being the ones you're driving over.

Sitting alongside the SVR and SVAutobiography lines, SVX adds a new arm to JLR's Special Vehicle Operations portfolio, one that it claims "represents an extreme expression of all-terrain capability."

To that end the SVX is equipped with active centre diff as well as an electronic rear locking differential. Approach, departure and breakover angles have been improved by raising both the aluminium architecture and the air suspension system, and employing long-travel dampers and revised knuckles. Forged aluminium alloy wheels, fitted with 815mm diameter 275/55 R20 Goodyear Wrangler tyres, improve performance on soft surfaces. As mentioned, Hydraulic Active Roll Control is also present, a first for the Discovery, resulting in increased wheel articulation and improved body control.

Well it is built for off-roading...

Inside, the Discovery SVX features a 'Pistol Shifter' in place of the rotary drive select dial. JLR claims this offers the driver "optimum control of gear selection in off-road manoeuvres." One for the powerfully built company director types there... New front and rear bumpers with protective skid plates, an anti-glare bonnet, black roof rails and dual light pods complete the rugged look.

Production is set to begin in 2018 with no word on potential pricing as yet. With this being the first JLR product to bear the moniker, it certainly whets the appetite for what could come next though. Jaguar XF Sportbrake SVX anyone?