Land Rover continues to celebrate 25 years of Discovery with the option for customers to add striking features from the XXV Special Edition anniversary model revealed earlier this year. In-car technologies also receive a boost with the introduction of Land Rover InControlTM Apps into a number of key markets, whilst the 3.0-litre V6 Supercharged petrol engine maintains its promise to deliver fuel efficiency benefits.

These enhancements are available to order on the Discovery now with customer deliveries starting from September.

"To mark 25 years of Discovery, Land Rover offered more premium luxury in the form of the XXV Special Edition. Striking attributes from this anniversary derivative are now being made available across the range for our customers to bring that level of heightened luxury into their Discovery of choice," said Phil Popham, Jaguar Land Rover Group Marketing Director.

"InControl Apps adds another dimension to the Discovery's attributes and another meaning to work-life balance by enabling safe and efficient access to essential smartphone content and in-car apps from the vehicle's touchscreen," he added.

Added luxury and premium detailing

The XXV Special Edition Discovery built on existing levels of luxury from the HSE derivative. Customers can now bring that added touch of luxury to their Discovery of choice with the option of the distinct Ebony/Cirrus Dual-tone Windsor Leather seats and the Grand Black Lacquer wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel. A new Straight Grained Walnut wood and leather steering wheel also becomes available, with respective wood veneer sets offered as an additional customer option with both steering wheel designs to further enhance the premium feel of the interior.

The exterior can also be enhanced with the addition of the XXV 20-inch 5-split spoke forged alloy wheels with a light silver polished finish, increasing the number of 20-inch wheel styles to four. New body colours also become available. Aruba, Kaikoura Stone and Montalcino Red will be offered from start of sales followed by a new metallic white called Yulong joining the range at a later date.

Cutting edge in-car connectivity

Land Rover InControlTM Apps is introduced into a number of key markets as a customer option to complement the Discovery's existing infotainment system and provide the ultimate for in-car connectivity. It brings the convenience, familiarity and original look and feel of compatible smartphone apps into the owner's vehicle, which are displayed and controlled from the vehicle's touchscreen.

This technology has been developed with some of the world's leading smartphone app developers and is compatible with the latest Apple and Android smartphones. Optimised for in-car use, Land Rover InControlTM Apps offers services such as satellite-navigation, media streaming, internet radio and location services, whilst also providing easy access to the connected smartphone's contacts, calendar and music library.

Compatible apps include Stitcher, Glympse, Sygic, Parkopedia, Hotelseeker, Cityseeker, Eventseeker, News on Board and MobileDay, the latter enabling one-touch access to voice conference calls without the need to dial a number. The range of apps is being continually expanded, with new content available every time the apps update.

The owner must download Land Rover InControlTM Apps to their smartphone from either the Apple App Store (for iPhone 5 and later) or Google Play (for Android version 4.0 and later). Once the phone is connected to the vehicle's dedicated USB port, the owner simply taps the InControl Apps icon on the central touchscreen and selects the desired vehicle-compatible app from the menu.

Efficient engine packages

The Land Rover Discovery continues to drive power and all-terrain capability with efficient diesel and petrol engine options when matched with fuel-stretching Stop/Start technology and the refined ZF 8-speed automatic transmission.

The 3.0-litre V6 Supercharged is the petrol engine of choice for the Discovery, generating 340PS@6,500rpm (250kW) with 450Nm of torque. Combined CO2 emissions stand at 269g/km, down from 328g/km on the 2013 model year 5.0-litre V8 petrol which delivered 20.1mpg (14.1 l/100km). Fuel consumption on the 3.0-litre V6 Supercharged sees this figure improved to 24.6mpg (11.5 l/100km).

The 211PS (155kW) 3.0-litre TDV6 remains the diesel engine entry level option, delivering 36.2mpg (7.8l/100km) and a CO2 figure of 207g/km on a combined cycle. The higher-powered 256PS (188kW) 3.0-litre SDV6 gives an equivalent fuel consumption figure of 35.3mpg (8l/100km) and 213g/km.

The Discovery is equipped with the rotary gear shift selector and steering wheel-mounted paddle shift and controls, now available with optional Adaptive Cruise Control to allow the driver to maintain a gap between them and the vehicle ahead for more relaxed motorway driving.

Customers continue to have the choice of the newer single-speed transfer box or twin-speed, with the latter offering high and low range for the most demanding off-road conditions.

The Discovery retains its position as the ultimate all-purpose vehicle with over 1,100,000 retail sales and 219 international awards since its launch in 1989, commending both its breadth of capability and versatility attributes. A true 7-seater with stadium seating and the capacity to carry gear in a variety of configurations, the Land Rover Discovery adapts to suit any occasion and any terrain with ease.

Land Rover has revealed the new Discovery Sport, the world’s most versatile and capable premium compact SUV. The first member of the new Discovery family, Discovery Sport, features 5+2 seating in a footprint no larger than existing 5-seat premium SUVs.

Discovery Sport’s progressive new design approach defines the new Discovery family with optimised volume, proportions and stance. Its design leadership combines with engineering integrity to result in a dynamic profile, the ultimate use of interior space and 5+2 seating configurability.

“Our challenge has been to combine premium design with exceptional versatility; the two attributes must work in harmony,” said Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Design Director and Chief Creative Officer. “I’m proud to say we’ve achieved that; Discovery Sport’s dynamic design will resonate on an emotional level with consumers, and this vehicle is more versatile than any other premium compact SUV on the market.”

Land Rover digitally revealed the new Discovery Sport at Spaceport America in New Mexico, USA, also launching the Land Rover Galactic Discovery competition. Four friends are set to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to space with Land Rover’s global partner, Virgin Galactic as part of an innovative digital competition at www.landrover.com/gotospace.

This spirit of adventure is reflected in Discovery Sport’s interior, which has been designed with customers at its core. It features high-quality materials and a strong vertical centre console graphic to reflect the premium design of the exterior, while the core Discovery value of versatility is evident everywhere. Storage solutions are integrated into the cabin and up to four 12V power points and six USB charging sockets can be specified for all three rows of seating, allowing multiple electronic devices to be charged simultaneously.

A host of innovations have allowed Discovery Sport to introduce the versatility of 5+2 seating into the premium compact SUV class for the first time. An all-new multi-link rear axle not only provides engaging driving dynamics but it also provides ample and flexible cabin space behind the second row.

Coupled with supple long-travel suspension, the innovative rear axle also ensures the Discovery Sport is comfortable, refined and rewarding to drive on-road, while retaining the breadth of all-terrain capability for which Land Rover is world-renowned. In fact, with approach, departure and breakover angles of 25, 31 and 21 degrees respectively, Terrain Response® technology, and the ability to wade to 600mm, Discovery Sport offers class-leading capability in all conditions.

As with every new Land Rover, safety has been a key priority in the development of the new Discovery Sport, resulting in a first-in-class pedestrian airbag, autonomous emergency braking, and a state-of-the-art bodyshell featuring both ultra-high-strength steel and lightweight aluminium.

This represents a fraction of the advanced equipment available in Discovery Sport, which also includes an all-new 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and standard tilt-and-slide row-two seating for maximum interior configurability.

From launch in the UK, the new Discovery Sport will be equipped with the powerful and refined 2.2 litre SD4 turbodiesel engine producing 190 PS featuring stop-start technology, high-pressure direct injection, low-friction internal components and smart regenerative charging for outstanding performance and economy. Both 9-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmissions are available.

Later in 2015, a highly efficient two wheel drive eD4 turbodiesel engine will join the range with CO2 emissions from just 119g/km*.

A service plan will be available for Discovery Sport from launch in the UK, offering five years or 50,000 miles worth of servicing (whichever is sooner) at an Approved Service Centre, for a one-off fee of £499.

“Not only does Discovery Sport mark the introduction of the first new member of our expanding Discovery family, it also brings the versatility of 5+2 seating to the compact premium SUV market,” said Phil Popham, Jaguar Land Rover Group Marketing Director. “Discovery Sport’s versatility is a key differentiator. It is quite simply the most accomplished vehicle in its segment.”

Discovery Sport will be produced at Land Rover’s award-winning manufacturing facility at Halewood, Liverpool. It goes on sale in January 2015 in the UK alongside the existing seven-seat Land Rover Discovery.

New Land Rover Discovery combines an exceptional design evolution with a versatile and intelligently packaged interior which embodies the spirit of family adventure that has characterised Land Rover's premium family SUV for more than 30 years.

Featuring the latest generation of powerful and efficient six-cylinder Ingenium petrol and diesel engines, advanced Pivi Pro infotainment and superior comfort and practicality, New Discovery remains one of the most capable, connected and versatile full seven-seat premium SUVs in the world.

With Land Rover's new Electrical Vehicle Architecture (EVA 2.0) underpinning a suite of advanced technologies, New Discovery delivers new levels of sophistication, desirability and efficiency while retaining its customary breadth of on- and off-road capability and towing credentials. From its updated Terrain Response 2 system and Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA) updates to its new Cabin Air Filtration, New Discovery looks after customers like never before.

Gerry McGovern, Chief Creative Officer, Jaguar Land Rover, said: "New Discovery is a beautifully proportioned and sophisticated premium SUV. This compelling and versatile vehicle has been refined in every detail, enhancing its characterful exterior and hugely versatile interior to ensure the Discovery maintains its position as the most capable and family-friendly full-size SUV in the world."