My comments before the real PR below – I like what they did with the exterior updates on the 2014 Discovery.  It’s little details and tweaks that really push the Discovery (LR4) forward.  And Land Rover is doing a great job in pushing the latest tech across their entire updated vehicle line.  It’s a real win for any Land Rover consumer, here’s a quote from below:

“To align the 2014 Discovery with other Range Rover vehicles…”  They actually call out the Range Rover like that, it’s good for the Land Rover buyer.

Only complaint is the single-speed gearbox now offered, I get why I just don’t like it.

The DISCOVERY hood badging is a nice addition, I wonder if this points to a possible rename in the US market back to Discovery, I guess we’ll find out soon…

On to the official text:

FRESH DESIGN, IMPROVED ECONOMY AND NEW FEATURES

FOR 2014 DISCOVERY

· Exterior refresh with distinctive new face and new ‘Discovery’ badging

· New highly efficient 340PS 3.0 V6 S/C petrol engine replaces 5.0 V8

· Intelligent Stop-Start improves fuel economy and reduces emissions

· New optional single-speed transfer box for revised four-wheel drive powertrain

· Eight-speed ZF automatic transmission for all models

· Upgraded models available to order now with deliveries from mid-November (UK.)

(more…)

Some nice tweaks for 2014 – a lot of the tech from its 2014MY big brothers has trickled down.  And we’re finally seeing that promised green oval.  Full press release below the images.

MAJOR NEW TECHNOLOGIES ENHANCE 2014 RANGE ROVER EVOQUE

· New, responsive nine-speed automatic transmission

· A new Active Driveline system with an active rear differential and torque vectoring is now standard

· New driver assistance and convenience features added

· Exterior and interior design enhancements, plus new alloy wheel designs

(MAHWAH, N.J.) – August 19, 2013 – One of the most esteemed Land Rover vehicles ever made, the Range Rover Evoque, makes a further significant leap forward with the introduction of a host of new technologies. These enhancements bring a range of new comfort and convenience features.

With global sales of more than 170,000 vehicles in just 18 months, the Range Rover Evoque has proven to be highly successful. The 2014 Range Rover Evoque, on sale in the Fall of 2013, will benefit from new features, including: a new 9-speed automatic transmission, new driveline technologies, new driver assistance features and detail design enhancements inside and out.

First shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the ZF-9HP automatic transmission is among the world’s first 9-speed units fitted to a passenger car. It has an ultra-fast response time, and an adaptive shift program that quickly matches the driving style. With a wide spread of ratios and improved efficiency, the new transmission delivers reduced emissions, enhanced performance and greater comfort. The 2014 Range Rover Evoque continues to be powered by a 2-liter 240hp Turbocharged Direct Injected engine.

A new Active Driveline system with active differentials and torque vectoring is now standard.* It is an ‘on demand’ four-wheel drive system which reduces driveline drag by decoupling the four-wheel drive system during steady-state driving at speeds above 22 mph. The new system monitors vehicle dynamics and automatically activates four-wheel drive within 300 milliseconds whenever it is needed. The Active Driveline also features Active Torque Biasing with an electronically controlled differential to distribute torque between the rear wheels, optimizing traction and stability. In addition, a Torque Vectoring feature further enhances agility and safety by redirecting torque between all four wheels to counteract understeer.

For the 2014 model, the driver assistance capabilities of Range Rover Evoque are significantly enhanced by the introduction of new features* including: Park Exit (to automatically exit parallel parking bays), Perpendicular Park (to position the car centrally in parking bays), Adaptive Cruise Control (with Queue Assist, Forward Alert and Intelligent Emergency Braking), Closing Vehicle Sensing and Reverse Traffic Detection (to warn drivers of oncoming traffic).

In addition to the new technologies, there are detail changes to the Range Rover Evoque vehicle’s exterior, new color options for the interior, new alloy wheel styles and a new style of Land Rover badge on the grille, wheel centers and tailgate.

Not sure when the US with get it; the Range Rover Hybrid looks great but that Warn winch is the coolest!

Click through for the full gallery

LAND ROVER LAUNCHES ITS FIRST HYBRID RANGE ROVER MODELS

· World’s first premium diesel SUV hybrids introduced by Land Rover

· Hybrid powertrain for Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models

· 26 per cent lower CO₂ emissions (169g/km) and 44.1mpg (combined)

· Outstanding performance with 340PS and class-leading 700Nm torque

· Uncompromised cabin comfort and load space, with enhanced refinement

· Hybrid capability to be demonstrated on 16,000km Silk Trail expedition to India

· Order books open from September 10, with first deliveries in early 2014

(more…)

If you want to see a new 2014 Range Rover Sport in person, get to your local dealer.

I stopped by Land Rover Huntington on Friday where they had about a half-dozen Sports in various colors with varying trim levels and engine types.  Lots of 2014 Range Rovers too, seeing the 22” wheels actually made me change my mind on them.  They’re not for me.

Here are some images I found most interesting, the rest of my pics were all standard fare.

Here’s one that still has all its packing materials in place:

And here is the elusive Almond/Espresso interior I’ve been trying to find on a real Range Rover, close enough.

Click below for full image gallery: