Land Rover has revealed a hardcore off-roading version of its Discovery SUV, the SVX, which is hand-made by JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division. The Discovery SVX is the first of many models to come that will bear the SVX badge.
Until now, SVO has focused on creating high-performance and luxurious versions of standard JLR cars, badged as SVR and SV Autobiography, respectively. The SVX brand will be the third product line.
Expected to be on sale in international markets next year, the Oxford Road facility in Coventry will produce the hand-built model. Changes to the SVX in terms of styling include snorkels and huge circular spotlights and some subtle bits like the strips of LED lights on the roof, chunkier off-road tyres and new front and rear bumpers with skid plates.
The Discovery SVX gets a revised suspension with long- travel dampers and revised knuckles, increased ride height and all-round air suspension. The new lightweight forged aluminium alloy wheels are shod with all-terrain 275/55 R20 Goodyear Wrangler tyres that Land Rover claims improves traction on mud and performance on soft surfaces.
While the active centre and electronic rear locking differentials are carried over from the standard model, the SVX also gets a Hydraulic Active Roll Control system that improves body control and wheel articulation for on-road driving. It comes as standard along with Land Rover’s suite of off-road tech such as the Terrain Response 2 and All-Terrain Progress Control systems.
The off-road special is powered by the same 5.0-litre supercharged V8 motor that makes 525hp and 564Nm of torque that can be seen in other SVO modified cars, and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and a twin-speed transfer box. The rotary controller for the transmission has been replaced with a new ‘Pistol Shifter’ to allow for more precise control of gears during off-roading.
The SUV also features exposed towing eyes that can recover more than six tonnes, and an electric integrated winch mounted at the rear. A new paint finish, Tectonic Orange, is available for the exterior, alongside a black grille and roof bars, while the insides get SVX branding and new colour and trim options.
Land Rover has also introduced some changes to the standard Discovery range. There is now the option of a 300hp/400Nm, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine and a new 12.3-inch TFT interactive instrument cluster (standard on HSE and HSE Luxury models) Lower-sped SE trims get a 10.0-inch touchscreen for the InControl Touch Pro infotainment with 4G Wi-Fi. A revised head-up display is optional, projecting full colour onto the windscreen, including some off-road information. Another option is an air purification system to improve the outside air entering the cabin and passing through the air-con unit.
Also see: 2017 Land Rover Discovery SVX image gallery