Disco Lights

The Discovery lightens up for its third generation.

- Fraser Stronach

IF LAND ROVER stuck to naming tradition, this all-new Discovery should be called Discovery 5. However, that’s not the case – instead, it’s simply called Discovery.

Regardless, this new Discovery is built on its third different platform since its 1989 debut, which has seen it evolve from an old-school 4x4 with a separate chassis and live axles at both ends, to a high-tech aluminum alloy monocoque with fully independent suspension.

Ironically, both the original Discovery and this latest Discovery owe a lot to the Range Rover; but while the first Discovery was based on an almost 25-year-old Range Rover platform, this new Discovery is built on the latest-generation Range Rover that arrived in 2013.

WHAT’S NEW?

VIRTUALLY everything is new compared to the outgoing Discovery, with the V6 diesel engine and the eight-speed automatic gearbox being the obvious carry-over items. Most notably, this new Discovery brings two new four-cylinder diesels, both two litres in capacity but in single- and bi-turbo configurations.

The single-turbo makes 132kW and 430Nm, extraordinarily strong numbers for an engine of that configuration, but it can’t be had with a dual-range transfer case – you’re stuck with single range 4x4. The bi-turbo four makes astonishing numbers for a 2.0-litre diesel, with 177kW and 500Nm, and it comes with dual range.

Given the Discovery 4’s carried-over V6 (previously denoted by an ‘SDV6’ badge but now a ‘Td6’ one) makes 13kW and 100Nm more but brings a $7K price premium, this bi-turbo four could be the popular choice for those who insist on dual-range.