PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Land Rover lobs Discovery 5

Here is our first official look at Land Rover's all-new Discovery 5, which has now been confirmed to make its world debut on the eve of the Paris motor show on September 28.

Presenting a modern new look that blends elements of both its big Range Rover and mid-size Discovery Sport sublings, the frontal image confirms what we've discerned from spy shots late last month: the new Disco will shed its boxy look.

No details have been revealed around these two images, Land Rover saying only that its new full-size seven-seat SUV was "created with absolute versatility, capability and technology like no other" and "embodies Land Rover’s drive to go Above and Beyond, combining British desirability with an unstoppable spirit of adventure".

"New Discovery redefines the large SUV," said Land Rover’s Chief Design Officer, Gerry McGovern.

"Land Rover’s design and engineering teams have revolutionised the Discovery DNA to create a highly desirable, extremely versatile and hugely capable premium SUV."

Taking on a sleeker, rounder design previewed by the 2014 Discovery Vision Concept, gone are the Disco’s trademark stepped roof deign and square side window silhouette, although Land Rover’s clamshell bonnet remains.

Just as revolutionary will be the Discovery 5's bonded and riveted aluminium-intensive monocoque platform architecture, which it will share with the Range Rover Sport and, next year, the next-generation Range Rover, alongside which it will be built at Solihull in the UK.

Apart from shedding hundreds of kilos over the existing Disco 4 -- which weighs at least 2500kg, dates back to 2005 and is currently priced from $69,345, the new Discovery should also take a significant step up in terms of technology, luxury and price when it arrives in Australia by around May next year.

Its seven-seat interior is likely to share much in common with both big Rangies and Jaguar’s first SUV, the F-PACE, with high-spec versions likely to come with a 10.2-inch touch-screen display and InControl Touch Pro infotainment system and high-resolution laser head-up display

Expect a further development of Land Rover’s pioneering Terrain Response system, which adjusts suspension, engine, transmission and traction control systems to suit different conditions, perhaps including laser-scanning technology that can ‘read’ the terrain ahead and adjust the chassis and powertrain accordingly.

It could even bring the first production applications of Land Rover’s see-through bonnet, Jaguar’s transparent A-pillars and Continental’s digital windcsreen technologies. It might even direct laser light projections of the vehicle onto the road surface ahead, which could be useful in tight off-road situations by showing the vehicle’s width and in urban traffic by making the driver’s intentions clear.

As Land Rover’s flagship (non-Range Rover) model, the 2017 Disco could also introduce Remote Drive, JLR’s answer to BMW’s Remote Control Parking system.

Despite its move to a monocoque chassis, the new Discovery 5 should retain its benchmark off-road capability, while under the bonnet will be a mix of JLR’s latest Ingenium four- and six-cylinder diesel and petrol engines.

A range-topping SVX flagship with more power, a chunkier body kit and more off-road features is also expected, as is the first hybrid version, incorporating a petrol-electric powertrain based around JLR’s 2.0-litre Ingenium engine and an electric motor enclosed in the eight-speed automatic gearbox, offering up to about 20km of zero-emissions driving.

The Disco 5 will be the first in a series of new JLR models due from next year. While Land Rover is also preparing a new Rangie, new Defender, facelifted Range Rover Sport and an all-new five-seat SUV to slot between the Evoque and Rangie Sport, Jaguar is expected to add a smaller SUV called the E-PACE and -- potentially -- a larger seven-seat SUV called the J-PACE.