A source in the company has also confirmed that the Land Rover Discovery will grow into a family of vehicles. The expansion will begin in 2015.
A number of prototypes in advanced stages of development have been seen testing. The smaller of the two is expected to directly replace the current Freelander and will be based on a stretched version of the Range Rover Evoque’s platform. A full-sized Discovery 5 has also been spotted. It will share its platform with the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport and will be built alongside them in Solihull.
The new Discovery will retain the current car’s seven-seat configuration, but will offer more space than the Range Rover Sport. It is likely that the smaller Discovery will premiere at the Detroit motor show next January, with the full-sized model to follow at the New York show.
The carmaker also launched a special commemorative edition of the Land Rover Discovery at the Geneva motor showto commemorate the 25th anniversary of the launch of the original model.
The XXV is based on the existing HSE Luxury specification and comes finished in bespoke Causeway Grey paint. It gets Narvik Black grille surrounds and mirror caps, as well as full-length silver roof rails. Unique 20-inch alloys and XXV badging on the front doors and tailgate are also fitted.
Inside, the fascia, instrument binnacle and door tops are covered in Windsor leather. Twist pile carpet and a leather-wrapped steering wheel complete the changes.
The original Discovery was introduced in 1989, originally being designed to fill a gap between the more utilitarian Defender and the Range Rover. Over its first nine years on sale, over 3,92,000 Discoveries were built.
The Land Rover Discovery XXV is expected to launch internationally in the last quarter of this year.