Fresh design, improved economy and new features for 2014 Discovery

• Exterior refresh with distinctive new face and new ‘Discovery’ badging
• Normally-aspirated V8 petrol makes way for supercharged V6
• Extended Navigation for unrivalled coverage of Africa
• New wheels, and new colours to go with them
• New technology, including Wade Sensing and T-Junction cameras available

Pretoria,  March 2014 The 2014 Model Year Land Rover Discovery is now in South African showrooms, ready to excite those of an adventurous disposition with the most significant round of changes to the planet’s ultimate all-purpose vehicle since its introduction.

The 2014 Land Rover Discovery receives a new look, new badging, an all-new petrol engine, improved audio systems and a new range of driver assistance, comfort and safety features to further broaden its appeal.  

“Land Rover has always been aware of the importance of delivering performance with sustainability, and every new design and each round of improvements aims to meet this challenge,” says Kevin Flynn, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa.  “The introduction of the supercharged V6, which supersedes the V8, is proof of this and it is a more fuel-efficient combination especially when mated to our 8-speed automatic transmission. As one of the world’s most stylish, capable and versatile SUVs, the Discovery remains the perfect vehicle for people who enjoy living an active lifestyle to the full.”

For 2014, the Land Rover Discovery has been given a new ‘face’ and numerous detail exterior changes. The grille, front bumper and headlamps are all new while new daytime running lights with a distinctive LED signature and a more premium execution to the foglamp surround further enhance the Discovery’s appearance. 

There are three types of headlights, vehicle grade-dependent. XS and S models use bi-halogen bulbs with a single Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) while the SE gets Xenon headlamps with Signature DRLs and flagship HSE models get the Adaptive Xenon version.

To complement the design changes seen at the front of the vehicle, the rear light units receive a black mask for an especially clean look.

Two new alloy wheel designs have been introduced and, to give vehicles a heightened level of distinction, the optional ‘Black Design Pack’ remains available for 2014 models, featuring revised detailing and a choice of 19-inch or 20-inch black alloy wheels. New colours include Corris Grey, Loire Blue, Scotia Grey, Chablis and Luxor which have also been added to the palette.

In a change driven by form and function, the 2014 Discovery has redesigned exterior mirrors. They’re more aerodynamic than before but also support the introduction of new technologies: they house the cameras for the surround camera system, and the sensors for the all-new Wade Sensing system.

New ‘Discovery’ badging

In recognition of the Discovery’s established identity, the refreshed exterior design for 2014 also incorporates a change of identity.  For the first time ever, the ‘Discovery’ name replaces ‘Land Rover’ on the bonnet and the number 4 will be removed from the tailgate leaving just the word ‘Discovery.’  Engine badging moves from the tailgate to an ingot mounted on each of the front doors. 

The oval Land Rover logo is now in a richer shade of green, enhancing its prominence.

Improvements in fuel efficiency

Underlining Land Rover’s commitment to power with sustainability, the 2014 Discovery will continue to be available with the class-leading 183kW/600Nm 3.0 SDV6 – with CO2 emissions of 230 g/km. The 155 kW/520 Nm 3.0 TDV6 will also continue to be available.

The petrol newcomer (this is the first time this engine has been offered in the Discovery) is rated at 250 kW and 450 Nm with emissions of 285 g/km versus headline numbers of 276 kW/510 Nm and emissions of 328 g/km for the V8. Improvements in fuel consumption are marked with figures of 12.0L/100km for the V6 compared to 14.1L/100km for the V8.    

All powerplants are mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, working in perfect harmony with Terrain Response and High/Low ratios to provide the perfect combination of gear ratio and drivetrain response for any situation.

Extended Navigation

A Discovery has always been the perfect companion for a trip into ‘The Dark Continent’, and it gets even better in this regard thanks to the Extended Navigation system fitted as standard from MY14. In a first for availability as a factory-fitted integrated system, the Discovery comes with the latest generation of Tracks4Africa, a suite of 16 maps of rural areas, with impressive detail, much of its content being user-driven. For example, in Angola it maps nearly 20 000 roads and tracks, and details more than 2 500 points of interest.

For the urban environment, the mapping software of choice is Nokia HERE, which gives comprehensive coverage of over 100 cities in sub-Sahara Africa.

New driver aids and premium audio

The new range of driver assistance, comfort and safety features for the 2014 Discovery include: Wade Sensing (a technology unique to Land Rover), Blind Spot Monitoring, Closing Vehicle Sensing, Reverse Traffic Detection and T-junction Cameras – which give drivers a 180 degree-plus view at an intersection via the centrally-positioned TFT (thin-film transistor) screen.

Wade Sensing will be offered as an optional extra exclusively on the top-flight HSE grade, enabling drivers to use the TFT screen to monitor proximity to the maximum wading depth of 700 mm. The system is activated when water hits the bottom of the lowest Parking Aid sensor, projecting a graphic of the vehicle in profile onto the screen, with a real-time indication of the water level relative to the maximum wading depth, with warning chimes that sound as this figure approaches. Information to calculate water depth is supplied by sonar-based sensors in the mirror housings. 

To align the 2014 Discovery with Range Rover vehicles, the SE and HSE models will now be fitted with Meridian premium audio.  The SE will have a Meridian system which features 8 speakers and 380 Watts of power, while the Meridian Surround system which produces an impressive 825 Watts output and features 17 speakers will be fitted to the HSE derivatives. 

Conclusion

The Discovery’s breadth of capability has never been in question – a fact confirmed by an impressive average monthly sales figure of 185 (and a record figure of 398 in March 2013) since its introduction in 1989. With the launch of the new and improved MY14 range, Discovery looks set to continue to go above and beyond.

[source : Land Rover]

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