This latest batch of spy photos showsthe next Land Rover Discovery being tested at the Nurburgring.

The next generation of Land Rover Discovery is set to be launched in late 2017. It will replace the current Land Rover Discovery 4 and will join the Discovery Sport as the second vehicle in the "new Discovery" family.

The new Discovery will utilise the platform of the current Range Rover, meaning it will have a lightweight aluminium chassis. This will translate into a much lighter Discovery with much better fuel efficiency. Anupdate to the famous Terrain Response system, which uses laser technology to scan the surface ahead and automatically adjust the suspension and stability control systems to best cope with upcoming obstacles, is on the cards, as is Invisible Car Technology that projects the terrain underneath the car onto the vehicle's head-up display.

The new Discovery will go up against its long-standing rivals such as the X5, GLE and Toyota Prado, but is expected to play a more practical hand. It may come standard with seven seats and with notably more durable materials inside.

As far as engines and gearboxes go, not much has been revealed. The current range of turbodiesels and petrols that power the Discovery Sport as well as the Range Rover's 4.4-litre turbodiesel. Most engines will be paired with the nine-speed automatic gearbox currently doing duty in Jaguar, Range Rover and Land Rover’s products.

Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

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