2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury

By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com / Photos Land Rover Newsroom

For 2017 the new Land Rover Discovery embodies Land Rover’s drive to go above and beyond, combining British desirability with an unstoppable spirit of adventure. It’s an authentic, three-row, seven-seat SUV with unbeatable capability and versatility.

Discovery Design
For 2017 the new Discovery looks very different but is still unmistakably a Discovery. Sophisticated surfaces and optimised proportions combine with beautiful detailing and enhanced precision to create a highly capable and versatile SUV with a more dynamic design than ever before.

The customary stepped roof is synonymous with Discovery and provides class-leading headroom in the third row of seats while a choice of panoramic roof options creates a feeling of space and light inside by bringing the outside in. The fixed design provides two separate sections and the largest ever glass area for a Land Rover roof, while the opening system provides a tilt-and-slide front section. Twin electric sun-blinds provide shade and privacy when required.

At the front, sculpted surfaces, jewel-like headlamps and a faster windscreen angle break with Discovery tradition and the state-of-the-art daytime running lamps deliver a modern appearance with a distinctive new light signature; The headlamps feature five modes to suit different driving situations; Country, Town, Motorway, Alternative Country and High Beam, as seven clusters of LEDs illuminate in different combinations to optimise lighting depending on the conditions.

In profile, the bodysides highlight the optimised volumes and proportions of the new Discovery, while the wheel-arch graphic echoes Discovery Sport with its distinctive castellations visually locking the wheel-arches to the vehicle body. The new form language features pronounced, yet smoothly contoured wheel-arches, giving the new Discovery a planted, more dynamic appearance.

At the back, the LED rear lamps have a horizontal emphasis, giving it a sportier appearance, while the new one-piece tailgate delivers a more dynamic rear design that would not have been possible with the previous split arrangement. Its rounded profile integrates seamlessly with the body sides and provides numerous practical benefits, the spoiler has also been homed in the wind tunnel and plays a significant role in minimising dirt accumulating on the tailgate, optimising rear visibility without compromising aerodynamic performance.

Interior
The new Discovery is a tour de force of modern design and quality materials, as well as a laser-like focus on the application of advanced technologies. Land Rover’s design and engineering teams have produced a seven-seat interior that provides improved space and versatility by careful analysis and optimisation of every aspect of its design.

Strong vertical elements clearly define the uncluttered central console design as they intersect the crossbeam of the facia, with minimal switchgear providing intuitive controls and reduced distractions for the driver. Configurable ambient lighting and the availability of contrast stitching give a luxurious, crafted feel to the entire cabin.

The new Discovery provides seat fold technology, allowing customers to reconfigure the second and third row seats with minimal effort using controls at the rear of the vehicle, the central touchscreen and even remotely via a smartphone app as part of the InControl Touch Pro Services; The innovative feature allows owners to rearrange the seats from inside a shop while they queue to pay for large or bulky items, ensuring the vehicle is perfectly configured to accommodate their purchases.

Alongside the spacious and flexible seating layout, the other key to new Discovery’s superior versatility is Jaguar Land Rover’s InControl Touch Pro infotainment system. The intuitive set-up features a large 10-inch touchscreen positioned high on the centre console, enabling Land Rover’s designers to reduce the number of switches on the centre console by a third, delivering a clean and uncluttered appearance.

Crisp graphics and easy-to-navigate menus incorporate the latest navigation and entertainment technologies including door-to-door navigation, which can share directions to a paired smartphone to help customers complete journeys on foot. Seamless iOS and Android connectivity combine with a 14-speaker Meridian digital surround system, with additional subwoofer, and 3G WiFi to provide the ultimate listening experience, whether streaming songs online or playing music directly from a connected device.

Performance
Under the hood, Land Rover’s advanced supercharged 3.0-litre V6 engine is an impressive performer. The 340PS Si6 engine develops 450Nm of torque and powers the new Discovery from 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds.

The lightweight construction of New Discovery plays a decisive role in delivering lower emissions and improved fuel efficiency across the model range. As a result, CO2 emissions are down six per cent, to 254g/km, with fuel economy increasing to 26 mpg compared to its predecessor.

The engine is fitted with a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox, which has been engineered by Land Rover’s powertrain experts to combine smooth shifts with sharp responses and optimised fuel efficiency; In addition, the gearbox is controlled using the rotary gearshift controller that rises from the centre console, while manual changes can be prompted with the use of the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles for dynamic driving and precise control when completing off-road manoeuvres.

Eight closely spaced ratios ensure that gearchanges are almost imperceptible, with each completed in a fraction of a second. For greater control, and if added performance is required, the gearbox will accept multiple downshifts and maintain a smooth transition between the ratios.

Class leading off-road capabilities
The new Discovery retains its status as the most capable premium SUV in off-road situations, combining advanced technologies with outstanding off-road geometry; Exceptional ground clearance of 283mm, combined with an approach angle of up to 34 degrees, a break over angle of 27.5 degrees and departure angle of 30 degrees ensure the new Discovery can climb up, over and down the most extreme obstacles.

For the ultimate all-terrain capability, new Discovery is available with a two-speed transfer box, providing selectable high and low range gears for optimum on-road and off-road performance. The intelligent system provides a standard 50/50 torque split between front and rear wheels, but uses a range of sensors to distribute torque between the wheels depending on the conditions, in addition the new Discovery is fitted with Land Rover’s next-generation Terrain Response 2 technology, which automatically monitors the driving conditions to ensure the vehicle is primed to cope with a range of surfaces; General driving; Grass, Gravel and Snow; Mud and Ruts; Sand; and Rock Crawl.

The intuitive system optimises a range of vehicle settings to suit the conditions, from the throttle mapping and steering responses to the suspension set-up and traction control settings. Alternatively, the centre-mounted dial allows the driver to manually select the appropriate setting simply and efficiently.

Summary
The 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury has been engineered to deliver customary best-in-class Land Rover all-terrain capability with enhanced on-road dynamics and heightened levels of refinement and comfort. A comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, towing and safety technologies provides outstanding customer convenience and peace of mind.

The MSPR starts at $63,950.00 the one I drove included, the Drive Pro Package $2,350.00, Dynamic Package $2,000.00, Capability Plus Package $1,250.00, 16 Way Memory Seats with Windson leather N/C, Vision Assist Package $1,200.00, Full Size Spare Wheel $440.00, Two USB Charging Ports In Second Road N/C, Load Space Partition Net $100.00, Rover Two Package $650.00, 21 Inch Split-Spoke Style 5025 with Satin Dark Gray Finish Wheels $1,700.00, 360 Degrees Parking Aid $275.00, Front Center Console Cooler Compartment $350.00, Head Up Display $950.00, Black Roof Rails $400.00, Loadspace Cover $150.00, Autonomous Emergency Braking $125.00, Activity Key $400.00, Black Contrast Roof $650.00, Park Assist $800.00, Rear Seat Entertainment $2,270.00, Silicon Silver Premium Metallic Paint $1,495.00, and it came in at $82,500.00 including destination charge $995.00.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com

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Emilio Lezcano

Journalist - Editor - Photographer
Professional Race Car Driver

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