An extreme off-road version of the Land Rover Discovery is the latest project from Jaguar Land Rover’s fast- expanding Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division. The new Discovery variant is the first in a series of models that will carry the SVX badge.
So far, SVO’s work has focused on making high- performance and more luxurious versions of JLR models, badged SVR and SV Autobiography respectively. But with the off-road-focused SVX nameplate, it now has a third product line.
The Discovery SVX will enter production next year. Its special modifications over the standard fifth-generation Discovery on which it is based will be hand-fitted by SVO’s workers at its bespoke Oxford Road facility in Coventry.
The external tweaks of the Frankfurt motor show star are understated and belie the off-road technology and prowess under the skin. Snorkels and huge circular spotlights made famous on the likes of old Camel Trophy Land Rovers are out, and in come more subtle design touches, including strips of LED lights on the roof, chunkier off-road tyres and new front and rear bumpers with skid plates.
Under the skin, suspension modifications include long- travel dampers and revised knuckles. The monocoque body has been raised, as has the all-round air suspension, which makes the SVX’s approach, departure and breakover angles better than a standard Discovery’s.
Chunky all-terrain 275/55 R20 Goodyear Wrangler tyres are fitted to lightweight forged aluminium alloy wheels. Land Rover claims the tyres’ extra side-wall height and “more aggressive” tread pattern improve grip on mud and performance on soft surfaces.
Active centre and electronic rear locking differentials are carried over from the standard model and work with the traction control system. One piece of new tech offered on the SVX is a Hydraulic Active Roll Control system that improves body control and wheel articulation for on-road driving. It’s offered alongside Land Rover’s full suite of off-road chassis technology, including the Terrain Response 2 and All-Terrain Progress Control systems.
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What are they doing?
So you develop a supposedly hardcore Discovery to tackle the toughest terrain. Most suitable engine? Your most powerful and costly gas-guzzling V8. Snorkel for deep water wading? Don't bother. Stripped-down interior to take the rough and tumble of serious off-road use? Obviously not necessary. The list of truly desirable features for a hardcore off-roader could go on and on. The most extreme feature of this vehicle will be it's price, which I see is not quoted, but I guess will be in six figures. The JLR money-making machine is in rude health.
Gripped
Whilst I'm not a fan of the trinkets, there's many changes to this car (active roll bar, revised suspension) which will hopefully be added to more prosaic trim levels in the future. There's really no need for a snorkel, as the intake can be mounted high enough in the engine bay to keep it clear of the water at maximum wading depth; any deeper than that and the car floats...
And really, if you don't like a V8 you're on the wrong website.
Gripped
Whilst I'm not a fan of the trinkets, there's many changes to this car (active roll bar, revised suspension) which will hopefully be added to more prosaic trim levels in the future. There's really no need for a snorkel, as the intake can be mounted high enough in the engine bay to keep it clear of the water at maximum wading depth; any deeper than that and the car floats...
And really, if you don't like a V8 you're on the wrong website.
speckyclay wrote:
No, this is Autocar - the clue is in the "car" bit - its for people who love cars, which by definition can be powered by engines with different numbers of cylinders, different fuels and even eletric motors, hydrogen fuel cells, no mention of "v8" in the title of the mag. I think its you whos on the wrong website.
typos1 wrote:
Can I ask, did you have to replace your Tenalady after you wrote that?
speckyclay wrote:
Indeed. But a car that's been there, done that - the 70 series Landcruiser, is a good indicatior of what type of V8 should be used. A diesel.
Hardcore Discovery....?
What, it's even uglier at the back.....?
'Strips of LED lights on the roof'
The bottle-blonde brigade will love that, LR's core market these days.
Back
Must admit, prior to the '5s' launch, I was dubious about the rear design. Now though, I love it. Particularly in darker colours. In 8 years time, the Disco will still be worth some decent cash, while Audi Q7s, X5/7 and Touregs of similar age will have been confined to the recycle bin. All in the name of the 'environment', of course.