It’s been a long time coming but finally the new Land Rover Discovery is here. The fifth-generation model will be on sale in the spring priced from £43,495.
Land Rover knows that if the car is to be successful with company car drivers, it needs to deliver lower CO2 emissions and this latest model has shed an impressive 480kg over the previous generation, largely thanks to the new cars lightweight aluminum construction.
Joining the Discovery line-up for the first time is the firm’s four-cylinder 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine offering up 240hp and 500Nm of torque. It becomes the new entry point to the range and, crucially for company car drivers, produces a combined fuel economy of 43.5mpg and 171g/km of CO2 – a significant improvement over the outgoing model.
Although the 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel is expected to take the lion’s share of sales, UK managing director, Jeremy Hicks is confident that the 2.0 litre’s popularity will grow as more people experience the engine. There are no confirmed plans for a future hybrid model however Land Rover has not dismissed the idea.
“We’re not ruling anything in or out when it comes to alternative fuels,” Hicks told BusinessCar. “The six-cylinder is known and loved, we think 40% will go for the four-cylinder but we see this growing once people experience the engine.”
Longer and taller than the model it replaces, the new Discovery will be available as a seven-seater only and offers up to 2406 litres of boot space. Inside sees an uplift in premium appeal and a raft of practical features and advanced technology including a world-first remote seat folding system.
Early indications of residual values are very good too with forecasters predicting 60% for the new model, an increase of around 6% over the outgoing model.
“We know that the improvements we’ve made in CO2 emissions, interior luxury and technology, there will be enthusiasm to see the new Discovery on choice lists,” Hicks said. “We’re confident the Discovery will do well in fleet.”
