Frankfurt show: Land Rover reveals Discovery SVX

LAND Rover has revealed its most potent Discovery yet at the Frankfurt motor show in the form of the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 SVX, which also boasts increased off-road capability thanks to a number of bespoke modifications.

The Discovery range has been without a V8-powered variant since 2013, but the new supercharged unit, which pumps out a considerable 386kW/625Nm, will be reintroduced to the local line-up when the SVX lands on Australian shores in the third quarter of 2018.

Tuned by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO), the Discovery SVX will arrive as the third-most powerful model in Land Rover’s arsenal behind the Range Rover Sport SVR and Range Rover SVAutobiography, both of which have been tinkered by SVO’s spanner turners.

The Discovery SVX will also be the first Land Rover vehicle hand-assembled at the SVO Technical Centre near Coventry in the UK, which opened for business mid-2016.

Along with the significant increase in power (the current range-topping Discovery is the 190kW/600Nm TDV6), the SVX also adds a number of enhancements to bolster its off-road chops.

Modifications begin by raising both the chassis and air suspension with long-travel dampers and revised knuckles, increasing approach, departure and breakover angles. Larger 815mm diameter 275/55 Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tyres are also fitted for greater grip off-road.

A full suite of off-road traction aids come equipped to the SVX, including the Terrain Response 2 system, hill descent control, electronic traction control, adaptive dynamics, dynamic stability control, and all-terrain progress control, as well as hydraulic active roll control – a new feature to the Discovery which increases wheel articulation and body control.

Added to that are more traditional off-road aids in the form of a low-range transfer case, active centre and electronic rear differential locks, and selectable gear shifter.

Visually, the SVX is defined by a number of touches inspired by Camel Trophy-spec Discoverys of yore that also add some practicality to the vehicle.

The SVX gains unique front and rear bumpers with protective skid plates with Rush Orange trim and recovery points (rated to 6000kg), an anti-glare bonnet finish, roof-mounted light strips, rear-mounted winch, black grille, silver roof rails and black side vents with V8 badging.

Finished in a unique Tectonic Grey with a combination of Lunar and Light Oyster colours and materials inside, the SVX is further differentiated by X logos on the seats.

Land Rover SVO director Mark Stanton said the SVX offered a potent blend of off- and on-road performance.

“The SVX product line gives us a fantastic opportunity to deliver the ultimate Land Rover all-terrain capability in a dynamic and distinctive manner, creating a rugged and versatile SUV that the whole family will love: effortless, unstoppable and connected, whatever the terrain,” he said.