We are nearing the SUV craze peak right now (I think). Every vehicle small and large is an SUV, but there is a new trend emerging. This trend is vehicles prepared for actual real off-roading, expeditions, or overland glamping. We have the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with locking diffs and disconnecting sway bars, the Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner TRD PROs, and the RAM Power Wagon that comes with a freaking winch. Then there are a number of tuning companies that sell turnkey modified vehicles, such as AEV. And then there is the whole after-market that is overflowing with lift kits, winches, bumpers, racks, and roof-top tents.
Land Rover, who basically invented the luxury capable SUV market, was not about sit this one out. Introduced at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show (stay tuned for our coverage and opinions), the Discovery SVX seem to do an excellent job of capturing what the world loves about Defenders and early modified Discoveries.


It starts with the suspension and tires. Out go the mall-terrain tires and in come 275/55 Goodyear Wrangler all-terrains wrapped around 20” wheels. To clear those tires the air suspension gets a makeover via long-travel dampers and revised knuckles. There is a slight body lift, too. Power from a 525 horsepower supercharged V8 (not available on other Disco models) goes the ground via a locking rear differential and an active (their word, not mine) center diff. Bigger tires and suspension lift yield better ground clearance and improved approach and departure angles.
The vehicle shown in pictures also has roof-mounted LED lights (I could live without those) and a rear-mounted winch. The rear-mounted winch is slightly unconventional but not unheard of. I am assuming that it is very difficult to integrate a winch into the front of this vehicle. I wonder if it is possible to run the cable through to the front if needed. Even with the winch, a tow hitch is retained. No word on spare tire size or location. The exterior is finished off in Jeep-esque red recovery hooks.

Exterior badges are added and trim is painted in off-roady theme. Unseen are beefed up skid-plates under the Disco. The theme carries over to the inside which gets special colors and nicer trim, as do other SVO vehicles, but remains rather unchanged otherwise.  
Because I love such expedition-ready 4x4s, I really like this thing. I’m happy that JLR didn’t go overboard with it and skipped the snorkel. I am slightly disappointed with the lack of a better roof rack, which will surely be available as an accessory. Otherwise the new Discovery (all trims) is devoid of proper bumpers, or even ones that expend past the body of the vehicle and this could prove to be costly.
No word on price yet but production starts in January 2018. Also, no word if perspective owners will take their SVXs beyond a Nantucket beach or Breckenridge ski resort. In their defense few people take their Porsches, Ferraris, and Lambos to a track.