Land Rover's Discovery is new, or at least it's been a bit updated. Most obviously, it's been changed at the front where you'll find new headlights (with 'signature' LED daytime running lights that link the Discovery closely to the new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport), a new grille and updated bumper. Most obvious of all though is the badging. The old Land Rover lettering on the leading edge of the bonnet has been replaced by the word 'Discovery' in bold block capitals. It's all very Range Rover-y looking and one wonders whether or not this presages Land Rover expanding the Discovery badge into its own sub-brand, much as it has done with Range Rover over the past few years.
The Discovery 4 badging disappears from the tailgate too, replaced by just Discovery. Well, either that or they'd have to call it Discovery 5, we suppose. The engine badging moves from the boot too, this time onto a metal badge that Land Rover is referring to as an 'ingot' on the leading edge of the front doors.
The range-topping 256hp 3.0-litre TDV6 diesel engine remains mostly unchanged, but its eight-speed automatic gearbox (now fitted as standard to all Discovery models) now comes with stop-start, which trims CO2 emissions from 230- to 213g/km - making this the first top-spec Disco that ducks under the top rate for motor tax in Ireland.
"The hugely popular Discovery continues to move from strength to strength and the addition of improvements in fuel economy and emissions underpins our commitment to delivering power with sustainability. As one of the world's most stylish, capable and versatile SUVs, the Discovery is the perfect vehicle for people who enjoy living an active lifestyle to the full," said Land Rover Global Brand Director, John Edwards.
Anything else?
There is also a raft of new safety and technology options for the Disco, including Wade Sensing (which uses cameras and parking sensors to estimate how deep the puddle you've just driven into is), Blind Spot Monitoring, Closing Vehicle Sensing, Reverse Traffic Detection and T-junction Cameras. The Discovery also now comes, optionally, with the same Meridian sound system (with either eight speakers and 380 watts or 17 speakers and a whopping 825 watts) that you'll find in the Range Rover.