[foby.sebastian]

The Discovery Vision images are out. It's a "concept car" designed to indicate the direction of the new Land Rover Discovery.

The design obviously owes a lot to the existing LR4/Discovery model but has also moved closer to the Range Rover, Sport and Evoque family.

Of course the technology reinforced holds more onto its LR4 roots, with the characteristic stepped roof, alpine windows, command driving position and stadium seating. However, the roofline is flatter than previous generations which pushes the design to the Range Rover stable.

The technology specs include Undercar cameras/Transparent Hood, LED and laser lighting, Gesture control door operation, Smart Glass which displays image, Laser terrain scanning for better off-roading , Laser warning signs , Three rows stadium seating, Central table, Gesture control indicators and headlamps, Remote control driving and Integrated luggage.

To add on technologies while off-roading , It uses cameras and a full width heads-up display to show the driver what is ahead of and under the car, helping to maneuver across difficult or steep terrain. It has the effect of making the hood appear transparent by projecting images from under the car onto the hood. It also shows the angle of the front wheels to assist with steering.

No door handles in the concept :- The concept lacks any door handles. This is because Land Rover has incorporated Gesture Recognition, allowing clean exterior surfaces. This is also used on the powered tailgate that has what's described as a "social seat" or "event platform" that deploys from under the trunk floor. It's a different solution to the Range Rover's split tailgate but seems to achieve the same type of versatile platform for tailgating.

The Gesture Recognition uses calibrated motion sensors that recognize designated hand or finger movements to eliminate the chance of unintentional operation. However, it doesn't explain how you'd gain access to the vehicle in the event of a power failure or system fault.
Once inside, the lights and turn signals, rotary gearshift, cabin lighting and rear seat entertainment options are all controlled by gestures.

Laser lights :-
The wrap-around headlamps feature new laser technology that produce a very bright light that reaches further than conventional sources. We should see this in a production car within the next year or two. Laser lights are about 10% the size of LEDs, allowing them to be packaged into a very compact space. The next generation of automobile lighting. The lasers activate phosphor projection to emit a very bright and even beam of pure white light. This beam adds almost 1000ft to the range of the headlights, while the quality of the light is closer to daylight than any other artificial light.

laser terrain scanning
With the fog lamps emitting infrared lasers, they can scan the ground ahead, map the terrain and display the imagery on the driver's screen, providing a visual reference that will help when driving in challenging off-road conditions, particularly at night.

Laser Referencing

The laser light sources can be tuned to specific colors and used to project visible images onto the road surface. Applications would include warning triangles onto the pavement in the event of a stoppage, or projecting reference points onto roads, walls, or terrain to help the driver judge tight gaps.


Smart Glass

This new glass works like a computer screen, yet it's totally transparent like glass. Used throughout the cabin, including the panoramic roof, Smart glass and the vehicle's heads-up display technology in the windshield mean real-time information can be overlaid onto the windows.

Using eye-tracking sensors and the vehicle's navigation, it's suggested that a passing landmark once observed by a passengers can have its relevant information and tourist data displayed to that person. The information can then be swiped to the seatback infotainment screen, or even to a docked smartphone.
Smart glass would also allow image projection to assist with parking or reversing around corners by projecting camera feeds into the driver's view through the smart glass window, offering extra information. Privacy controls can also be incorporated, dimming or blacking out the glass with the swipe of a finger, while the panoramic roof has the option of displaying mood screens such as a starry night sky.

Remote Control Driving

Using a smartphone or the removable remote control unit in the center console, it would be possible for the driver to exit the car and maneuver it at very low speed. The idea is to make it easier for the driver to assess the safest route through an off-road obstacle from an outside vantage point. It would also make it very easy to hitch a trailer, and navigate through a property gate without needing to exit and enter each time the car is moved.

As a safety feature, the interface would have encrypted access and operate only through the vehicle's onboard WiFi hotspot, to avoid the danger of the system being hacked.

Versatile seating

With three rows of seats, the seating arrangements are very flexible, allowing for a number of layouts. The seats can move forward or backwards and fold flat to form tables. All the options can be selected from the menu on the console touchscreen, with the following options:

7-seat mode: standard seating for seven adults in three rows
6-seat mode: second-row middle-seat in table-fold
5-seat mode: second-row outboard seats in table-fold, or both third-row seats in theater-fold (extra load space)
4-seat mode: second-row outboard seats in theatre-fold, and second-row middle-seat in table-fold. Two passengers seated in the third row seats enjoy huge legroom


The back of each seat contains a gesture-controlled infotainment screen and has features such as integrated pop-out coat hangers, fold-out tray table and device docking ports.

Detachable luggage is integrated into the doors, This allows the passengers to pack without needing to use all the luggage area. The hard cases clip into the doors and, once detached, can be used as a roller bags with wheels and extendable handles.

The "social seat" at the rear is deployed from under the rear floor. When initially extended, it forms a platform, but when folded out further, it becomes a bench seat. Used in conjunction with the tailgate, which serve as a canopy, the tailgate can serve as a viewing platform to stand on. Alternatively, it can be used for picnics, watching events, etc.

In a nutshell the new discovery is more in to technology lets wait till the concept is transformed to the on road version.

[parrys]

All that tech aside, I hate it!
Looks like the Safari Storme to me, from more than one angle.

[foby.sebastian]

Originally Posted by parrys

All that tech aside, I hate it!
Looks like the Safari Storme to me, from more than one angle.

Even I feel the same , the Indian connection

[parrys]

Ok, the RR Evoque is a brilliant looking car, but I don't understand all other cars in the stable getting the same flashy design language.

[AyAn!]

This Vision concept looks pretty neat to me.

The new evolved volume can still be associated with a Discovery/LR4, even though it's strutting Land Rover's new design language. The pillar-less look that they've managed to achieve is commendable, although how much of it actually makes it to production trim, one has to wait and watch. The surfacing is taut, clean and compliments the flared arches really well.

Official photographs are out(via Carscoops)

[vinair]

Man!! The discovery genes is completely missing!! Got a uncanny resemblance to the TATA safari!!! just hate these geeky looking cars with tons and tons of over the top electrical gadgets!!

[benbsb29]

I liked the concept. It resembles the Evoque, but at the same time boasts the Discovery lineage too.

Love it or hate it, but we cant escape the new design philosophy being adopted by car manufacturers.

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by parrys

All that tech aside, I hate it!
Looks like the Safari Storme to me, from more than one angle.

Originally Posted by foby.sebastian

Even I feel the same , the Indian connection

It may be worth mentioning at this point that in fact, it's the Safari's design that aimed to ape the Discovery back in the '90s. The Discovery has evolved since, while the Safari has received a couple of facelifts including, dare I say it, the Storme.

[ad3952n]

Folks! The unveiling of Land Rover Discovery sport shall be done on September 3, 2014. But, Here is a render of the model prior to the unveiling:

rendering of the production version of the Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept, which is announced by the company to be known as the Discovery Sport. The unveiling of the Discovery Sport is scheduled to take place on September 3.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/IndianAutos...52325067226234

Thanks

[ajitkommini]

I think it looks oddly proportioned and ugly. Why such a massive rear overhang? Yet another capable SUV turned into a hideous mall-cruiser. RIP Discovery.

[MaserQ]

The current Disco is very angular and slab-like, yet not a bad looker. Likewise, the Discovery concept has a bulky rear, but not so much as to be labeled 'ugly'.

[ajaypjayaraj]

May be not in the league of the previous gen. Discovery but no where near as ugly as Safari Storme. The lines are clean and futuristic without any quirkiness. Looks a bit too plain and a little odd from the side but front end and rear end isn't that bad. Overall it does not look bad enough to be called ugly IMO.

[deetjohn]

Land Rover releases the first pictures of its new Discovery Sport, which goes on sale in January and replaces the Freelander.





Looks great, especially in that grey shade.

It will come with seven seats as standard, Land Rover describes the layout as “5+2 seating”, which suggests that the rear two will be smaller than the forward five. But the second row of seats do slide back and forth to help you make the most of the available space.



Source

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

The production model looks much better than the concept showed, thanks to the black roof! The concept resembled the Safari Storme! (as many have already pointed out!)

However, hate this family design theme! Every other Land Rover is getting the evoque face nowadays.

[extreme_torque]

Looks exactly a million times better than the Freelander which looks quite ordinary for a vehicle costing so much. I wonder how are they going to design the new LR4 aka Discovery.