Land Rover Discovery SVX – on a more rugged path

The Land Rover Discovery could have a special, more rugged variant in the works, courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division, according to an Auto Express report.

“I can’t tell you what the SV version of the Discovery will be like but in my mind it will be in between Paris Dakar and Camel Trophy. Somewhere in there is a product waiting to get out,” SVO chief John Edwards told the publication.

Taken as read, it could mean that the upcoming variant – tipped to be named SVX – will arrive decked out with body cladding, additional equipment such as spotlights, beefier off-road tyres and a revised chassis for even better off-road capability.

Mechanical specifications are yet to surface, but it is likely to use the range-topping 3.0 litre SDV6 turbodiesel powerplant and eight-speed automatic transmission, with a suitably tuned Terrain Response system for further improved off-road ability.

Inspiration for the tougher SVX variant is said to be derived from Project Hero, which is pictured here. The offering is an SVO creation made for the Austrian Red Cross as an advanced communication vehicle to help expedite response to disaster-struck areas.

There’s no firm word on the new Disco variant’s arrival, though SVO indicated a timeline of sorts for new models. “We plan to introduce a new halo product every year for the next three or four years,” suggesting that the SVX Discovery could appear later this year or the next.

GALLERY: Land Rover Discovery Project Hero

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