New Land Rover Discovery SVX 2018: price, specs and release date

Following on from high-performance versions of the flagship Range Rover, Land Rover has showcased its new 'SVX' designation on the Land Rover Discovery at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The Land Rover Discovery SVX has a different purpose in life to Land Rover's road-focused SVR and luxurious SVAutobiography models – the maker claims that SVX represents "an extreme expression of off-road capability".

Powered by Land Rover's supercharged 518bhp 5.0-litre petrol engine, the SVX boasts some 183bhp more than the top 3.0-litre petrol engine currently offered, and – although no performance figures have been published – it ought to smash the 7.1-second 0-62mph time of that model.

All that extra urge is supported by Hydraulic Active Roll Control (H-ARC) suspension, a first for the Discovery SVX. The system is designed to increase the amount of wheel articulation when driving off road, as well as improving traction and body control on all road surfaces – including reducing body lean during spirited driving to provide a more "surefooted" feel.

The SVX has increased ground clearance compared to other Discoveries, too, and its approach and departure angles – which determine the size of off-road obstacle a car can confidently tackle – have been increased. This has been achieved by longer-travel air-suspension pistons and larger all-terrain tyres fitted to 20-inch forged alloy wheels.

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To support these changes, the control software for the car's eight-speed automatic gearbox and Terrain Response 2 system has been tweaked, with new calibration that also optimises the power steering system to match the SVX's capabilities. Gone is the rotary gear selector – in its place is a 'pistol shifter' which is claimed to offer “optimum control of gear selection in off-road manoeuvres”.

Frankfurt showgoers will spot the SVX easily enough, thanks to its unique Tectonic Grey satin paint finish, with Rush Orange highlights for the towing eyes, side air vents and alloy-wheel inlays. The show car has new front and rear bumpers with bigger skid plates, a rear electric winch and LED light pods mounted between the roof rails.

Land Rover Discovery gains 296bhp 2.0-litre petrol

Along with the SVX, Land Rover has announced that a new 296bhp version of its 2.0-litre Ingenium four-cylinder petrol engine will be offered to Discovery customers. Originally developed for the new entry-level version of the Jaguar F-Type sports car, the engine uses advanced turbocharging technology. However, with CO2 emissions of 222g/km, it'll be in the top 37% Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) band for company-car drivers.

Trim level updates

Regardless of which engine you choose, the Discovery will get some new features, including a 12.3-inch Interactive Driver Display for the instrument cluster – as standard on HSE and HSE Luxury models. According to Land Rover, updated graphics allow it to “create the impression of 3D surfaces with exceptional clarity” and personalise the information on display.

Every Discovery will get a 10-inch display with the Touch Pro infotainment system and SE models and above will benefit from a faster 4G wi-fi connection that up to eight devices can connect to.

A couple of new options are available, too, with the "second-generation” head-up display now in full colour and able to project information to help with off-roading as well as getting to your next destination. Meanwhile, a new Cabin Air Ionisation system improves interior air quality.

Land Rover Discovery SVX price and on-sale date

The Land Rover Discovery SVX will be hand-assembled at the SVO Technical Centre, with production starting in 2018. Customers can register their interest now, but prices aren’t set to be announced until next year.