Model by model: Discovery 4

Model by model: Discovery 4
For tax reasons the petrol V8s won't be offered in this car in the UK, but it will get the new V6 diesel. This is the 272bhp unit from the Jaguar XF, detuned to 242bhp but with an undiminished 444lb ft of torque.

That's 29% more power and 36% more torque than in the old 2.7 V6 diesel, with average fuel economy of 30.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 244g/km gains in efficiency of between nine and 10%. Modifications have been made to the oil system and sealing to protect the engine in off-road use.

With the new engine comes a revised six-speed automatic transmission, stronger brakes, improved steering and redesigned suspension to make the car more agile and stable.

The Discovery also gets the uprated Terrain Response system, a graduated brake release when descending steep inclines and active roll control added to the car's stability system.

Land Rover admits that the Discovery was seen as 'aggressive' in some markets, so the revised front end and lights, along with the use of more painted metal in place of body cladding help to 'soften' the car as well as give it more of a luxury look. At first glance you could now mistake it for a Range Rover.

The new interior with softer trim, new colours and simpler controls complements this softened demeanor.

Most of the new convenience and safety options, including the virtual instruments and a touch-screen central display system with hard drive-based sat-nav system, will be offered.