Handsome Beast

The new Land Rover blurs the lines with the Range Rover, taking the pedigree country workhorse to town, writes motoring editor Andy Russell

- Andy Russell

WHEN I saw the first pictures of the new fifth-generation Land Rover Discovery I was taken aback. In the metal, parked alongside the previous model, I was shocked how much bigger and more imposing it looks. There also seems to be a blurring of the boundaries between the Land Rover and Range Rover models, whereas before Land Rover was more country lifestyle, Range Rover was cosmopolitan luxury.

LOOKS & IMAGE

The Discovery has always been classless. Whether in jeans and wellies or suited and booted, you’re fine turning up in one. Even so, over the generations, it has moved upmarket and this is the classiest yet.

Sizewise, it’s a beast, but a handsome one, especially with optional exterior design packs with bigger 20-22in black or satin dark grey wheels and black grille, bumper vents and door mirror caps, which really set off the test car’s Namib Orange body colour (although you would soon add a few grand to the price).

The only thing I’m not sure about is the offset rear number plate – it’s looks odd without the traditional step in the bottom of the back screen to balance it out.

UNDER THE BONNET