2017 Discovery drive..Land Rover is getting back to its old self again!

[GR8ADV]

"Open up the Land Rover website and be presented with basically the same body shape across all models."

I noticed that as well along with the same trend among many other manufacturers - like why do the designers at Lexus think they have to stick the same ugly nose on the majority of their vehicles.
Part of it is the CAFE standards but if you look at the wide range of GM cars in the mid to late sixties for instance you see what we have lost in design variety.

I wouldn't be too upset if the new Defender looks like this:

. Woah I thought for a moment this was a Ford Flex with big wheels ...

 

[Joslin]

I noticed that as well along with the same trend among many other manufacturers - like why do the designers at Lexus think they have to stick the same ugly nose on the majority of their vehicles.
Part of it is the CAFE standards but if you look at the wide range of GM cars in the mid to late sixties for instance you see what we have lost in design variety.

Everyone is seeking a signature "face" which explains the current Lexus situation. CAFE (and other world fuel economy standards) are affecting overall design these days, and in fact aerodynamics are the reason the D5 all but lost its stepped roofline. Pedestrian impact survivability requirements are also largely responsible for wrecking the faces of the current crop of vehicles.

I think more than anything, Land Rover recognizes its dual position as a Premium/Luxury (Land Rover/Range Rover) brand today and the way to capitalize on that is through "more accessible design." Which to me means less polarizing, more common.

From a pure design perspective, the current stuff all looks really good in isolation. But in the context of the company history, they don't carry forward much heritage; in the context of the larger marketplace, they look a little too much like other more common vehicles; and in the context of the current model range, they all look a bit too much alike.

 

[GR8ADV]

Everyone is seeking a signature "face" which explains the current Lexus situation. CAFE (and other world fuel economy standards) are affecting overall design these days, and in fact aerodynamics are the reason the D5 all but lost its stepped roofline. Pedestrian impact survivability requirements are also largely responsible for wrecking the faces of the current crop of vehicles.

I think more than anything, Land Rover recognizes its dual position as a Premium/Luxury (Land Rover/Range Rover) brand today and the way to capitalize on that is through "more accessible design." Which to me means less polarizing, more common.

From a pure design perspective, the current stuff all looks really good in isolation. But in the context of the company history, they don't carry forward much heritage; in the context of the larger marketplace, they look a little too much like other more common vehicles; and in the context of the current model range, they all look a bit too much alike.

Yea what he said...

 

[FondaBellamy]

I just love Land Rover. Thanks for sharing this awesome pics!

 

[JackW]

Side by side size comparison of a 2007 LR3 and 2017 Discovery 5 plus a shot of the TDV6 engine - looks like there is enough room for the Ingenium inline 6 cylinder engine in there - lots of space between the front pulley and the radiator.

 

[DiscoDavis]

I want that 2007...

 

[JackW]

I want that 2007...

Should be up for grabs in about a month - My D5 is supposed to be here around then.

 

[OCD Overland]

Curious how optimistic they're being with the tow rating. I've driven one twice now and it just doesn't feel like it can tow 8,000lbs, at least not well. Maybe that's a compliment to their engineering team.

 

[ColoDisco]

When you see the LR3 and the D5 next to one another it looks like they never even considered the overall heritage of the discovery series. That being said I still like the D5. Just not as a overland truck. Probably looking into a LC 79 series for my next build.

 

[OCD Overland]

I think the only real disqualifier at the moment is the wheel/tire situation. And supposedly they're coming out with an SVX version that would fix that. I've seen pics of at least one with all terrains and a prototype winch setup on the front.

The third row seat thing is absurd, of course.

I'm sure they'll be offering drives at the Expo, and perhaps answers on timing and cost for the SVX.

 

[mpinco]

The rear hatch pic highlights why the D5 is a no-go for us. Try opening that in your standard garage, reduced opening angle or not.

 

[mpinco]

Curious how optimistic they're being with the tow rating. I've driven one twice now and it just doesn't feel like it can tow 8,000lbs, at least not well. Maybe that's a compliment to their engineering team.

The LR4 was a great tow vehicle with weight and power while the D5 is probably too light for many.

Tow Vehicle and Caravan Weight

 

[morrisdl]

Disco 5 clearly shares more with ford explorer than LR3/4. Honestly I think the Explorer looks better and more cohesive design.

 

[EricTyrrell]

D5 looking better in this latest shot. What do you guys think?

 

[morrisdl]

Potential and a more hopeful user community than this:

Even this part is more LR3/4 than the D5: