SPYSHOTS: 2017 Land Rover Discovery 5 almost nude

The 2017 Land Rover Discovery 5 has been spotted out in the open, barely disguised by our spy photographers. The seven-seat SUV was previously sighted testing on the road, as well as on the famed Nurburgring.

The prototype seen here certainly appears to be as close to production-ready as can be (at least on the outside). Obvious design cues from the Discovery Vision concept that made its debut at the 2014 New York International Auto Show are clearly seen here.

This includes the two-bar front grille that sits between a pair of sleeker headlamps that replace the fourth-generation model’s square-ish ones. Also taken from the concept is the carved-out side intake on the front bumper, side gills and tail lamps.

The rear tailgate also appears to be nearly identical to that on the concept, although here, a new roof spoiler accompanies it, and the “diffuser” element has been dropped. Additionally, the offset position of the number plate on the test mule appears to be a nod to previous Discovery models.

No shots of the interior here, but from our previous spyshots, the new Discovery looks to borrow more from the Range Rover Sport, featuring a minimalist dashboard layout. At the time however, the Discovery seen was merely a prototype, so we’ll have to wait for the finished product first.

Underneath all that new bodywork will be will be the carmaker’s Premium Lightweight Architecture (PLA) that is also found in the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. The platform features heavy use of aluminium in its construction, and should make the next-generation Discovery lighter than before.

For motivation, expect the new Discovery to come with a range of engines from Jaguar Land Rover’s Ingenium line-up, featuring petrol and diesel options, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Electrification could also be applied to the powertrain, allowing for limited all-electric travel if needed.

In terms of technology, the Discovery could receive a laser-scanning feature that allows the car to read the terrain ahead, and adjust the vehicle’s suspension to suit it. Other fancy items include the “invisible bonnet” that should be useful when driving on- or off-road.

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