New Land Rover Discovery front revealed ahead of Paris Motor Show debut

British utility vehicle maker Land Rover has released the first image of the new Discovery SUV ahead of its public debut at Paris Motor Show, which is scheduled to be held on Sept. 28. The picture shows the front end of the full-size, seven-seater SUV.

The front design of the new Discovery is a complete departure from the current model. The boxy design of the current Discovery has made way for more curved body panels in line with the new generation of the Land Rover SUVs, like the Discovery Sport and the Evoque. The wide and rectangular grille and headlamp cluster of the current model have been replaced with a thin unit in the new Discovery. The new version also comes with a bigger front bumper and long skid plates at the front. The design is crisper and more modern than its predecessor.

The new Discovery will be based on the Land Rover's aluminium platform that underpins the Range Rover and the Range Rover Sport. Using this platform will significantly reduce the weight of the SUV that currently weighs 2,262 kg. This is expected to make the SUV faster than before.

"New Discovery redefines the large SUV. Land Rover's design and engineering teams have revolutionised the Discovery DNA to create a highly desirable, extremely versatile and hugely capable premium SUV," Gerry McGovern, the Chief Design Officer of Land Rover, said. The company also claims the new Discovery is created with absolute versatility, capability and technology like no other.

The SUV is expected to get a range of four and six-cylinder petrol as well as diesel engine options, depending on the market. The newly developed Ingenium family of engines of Jaguar and Land Rover is also expected to power the new Discovery.