cars news 10: Spied! Land Rover Discovery Hits the Streets of Vegas

We’ve known for quite a while that Land Rover is replacing the LR4 with a new Discovery SUV. Now for the first time, we’ve spotted a prototype that gives us clues as to what a final model could look like when it reaches our shores.

Senior features editor Jonny Lieberman caught the SUV driving down the streets of Las Vegas in plain sight recently. Despite the heavy camo, it’s clear the mule bears a resemblance to the Discovery Vision concept that debuted in 2014. Along with a subtle rear spoiler, the model features a rounded hood and boxy rear end just like the concept. However, you can tell camouflage covering the taillights and part of the roof is distorting the SUV’s shape a little in these images. It appears Land Rover has changed up the wheels as well.

Up front, the mule’s large dual intakes could signal intercoolers for turbochargers. That means the Discovery could be getting new Ingenium twin-turbo inline-six or inline-four cylinder engines.

The Discovery Vision concept wowed the crowd at the 2014 New York auto show with its suicide doors, “invisible” hood, and multi-configurable seats. Even more importantly, it signaled a departure from the LR4 by adopting Range Rover styling cues. Although we don’t know exactly what engine it will use, the Discovery Sport’s big brother could get an off-road warrior SVX version, we’ve heard.

Check out the gallery below for a closer look at the Land Rover Discovery prototype along with pictures of the Discovery Vision concept.