More than three decades later, the success continues. Now in its 5th generation, it seemed almost impossible to perfect something that is, to all intents and purposes, close to being a perfect vehicle. That is until the specialists at Matzker, in Cologne, accepted the challenge. After all, if you have ever had the opportunity to meet the team, then you will already be aware of their motto: “good just isn’t enough when the best is within grasping distance.”

Matzker, now in their fourth decade, is synonymous with the development and manufacture of technology and accessories related to the Land Rover brand. So, unsurprisingly, they took it upon themselves to address the already impressive factory performance of the new Discovery and take it to the next level.

HANDLING AND PERFORMANCE

The foundation of this transformation is their own dc8 package which primarily addresses the suspension and engine performance. The electronic handling and off-road kit enhances the variable height suspension by taking it 28 mm lower on the road and an extra 30 mm higher off pavement.

The suspension modifications are further improved thanks to a Selective-Control-Shock Absorber which represents state of the art technology and was specifically designed for the Discovery 5. The system is adaptive and responds accurately in accordance to the terrain. As a result, comfort is improved without compromising stability and precision through the serpentines. The suspension becomes more flexible which in turn equates to more wheel travel and axle articulation. Offroad traction is simply mind-blowing! On the road, it is no less impressive and excels with improved safety thanks to minimising the typically inherent 4×4 sway. The dc8 package blends sports car agility with maximised safety.

It would be a shame if this dynamic improvement couldn’t be put to proper use. So, Matzker have used their TR-6 tuning option and reprogrammed the 3.0 L six cylinder engine to produce an additional 45 BHP and 70 Nm of torque compared to the stock setup. You now have 303 BHP and 670 Nm at your disposal. Once you have driven this package, you will never want to look back. This Discovery wants to be the leader of the pack.

The full potential of top speed has been unleashed by Matzker’s Speed Unlimiter. This means that the abrupt activation of the limiter, and the accompanying shudder, is now a thing of the past.

PROTECT AND SALVAGE

As far as improved off-road ability is concerned, a 3-piece skid plate made from durable aircraft aluminium reliably protects the front axle and gearbox from inadvertent damage. This off-road accessory is essential for more than just the occasional elusive river crossing.

The front valance hides a winch for those most daunting situations. This solution has the benefit of neither worsening the approach angle nor altering the overall dimensions of the vehicle. The fairlead is positioned below the registration plate to facilitate quick operation without adversely effecting the car’s day to day use. The winch can pull up to 3.600 kg and is equipped with 30 metres of synthetic rope.

GOING THE DISTANCE

Matzker has even addressed the operating radius of the vehicle – more practical for everyday use and imperative for long distance travel. An additional 90 litre fuel tank now fills the space previously occupied by the spare wheel. Now the vehicle can carry a total of 175 litres of fuel which equates to a distance of approximately 1.600 km (depending upon the terrain). In line with all of Matzker’s developments, the additional tank for the Discovery 5 is of premium quality and maximises the use of existing space.

ENLIGHTENED

To complete the conversion, the Matzker dc8 Discovery is LED equipped for every eventuality: four round lamps in the radiator grille are complimented by a 1.000 mm LED light bar which combines an 8° long-distance driving lamp a 120° broad beam for shorter distances.

CONCLUSION

An impressive vehicle. Time to explore the world!

MATZKER.DE

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Discovery SVX will be the first Land Rover hand-assembled by expert craftsmen at the SVO Technical Centre in the UK when production begins in 2018.

John Edwards, Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations Managing Director, said: “SVO designers are embedded within the Land Rover team and have worked with our engineers to unleash their own passion for adventure to create another truly desirable and versatile vehicle in the Land Rover line-up.”

Discovery SVX embodies the design excellence and engineering integrity that are core values of every Land Rover, building on the legendary Land Rover all-terrain capability and adventurous spirit to deliver the ultimate in off-road performance and desirability.

Since its launch in 2016 the fifth-generation Discovery, built on Land Rover’s strong, safe and light aluminium architecture, has won admiration as the world’s best full-size versatile SUV. That makes it the perfect base for SVO’s first SVX vehicle. New Discovery is the first modern Land Rover to wear the SVX badge.

Mark Stanton, SVO Director, said: “The SVX product line gives us a fantastic opportunity to deliver the ultimate Land Rover all-terrain capability in a dynamic and distinctive manner, creating a rugged and versatile SUV that the whole family will love: effortless, unstoppable and connected, whatever the terrain.

“Discovery SVX is designed to reward off-road driving enthusiasts with the next level of all-terrain capability, without compromising comfort and practicality.”

SVX takes Discovery versatility to new levels through further development of its formidable off-road ability. It will be offered exclusively with Jaguar Land Rover’s 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol powertrain, tuned to deliver 525PS peak power and 625Nm torque, along with suspension modifications to enhance driver confidence when tackling the toughest terrain.

Hydraulic Active Roll Control (H-ARC), is new to Discovery on SVX. It gives increased wheel articulation and improved body control, enhancing extreme off-road traction while also reducing body roll for smooth and sure-footed on-road driving.

Discovery SVX has improved approach, departure and breakover angles, achieved by raising both the lightweight aluminium monocoque architecture and the four-corner air suspension system, employing long-travel dampers and revised knuckles, and fitting larger 815mm diameter 275/55 R20 Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tyres on forged aluminium alloy wheels.

Tyres with higher side-walls reduce contact pressure and improve performance on soft surfaces. Combined with a more aggressive tread pattern, this improves grip in muddy conditions.

Discovery SVX is also equipped with active centre and electronic rear locking differentials which work with the specially tuned Terrain Response 2 system to optimise traction on all surfaces.

Complementing these hardware upgrades are unique software calibrations for the eight-speed automatic transmission with twin-speed transfer box, and Discovery’s dynamics systems including Hill Descent Control, Electronic Traction Control (ETC), Adaptive Dynamics, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), All-Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) and variable ratio electric power-assisted steering (EPAS). Discovery SVX also features a model-first Pistol Shifter in place of the Drive select rotary shifter to offer the driver optimum control of gear selection in off-road manoeuvres.

To visually reflect Discovery SVX’s inherent robustness and go-further ability, Land Rover designers have referenced features of iconic Discovery off-road challenge vehicles, such as those used for Camel Trophy and G4 Challenge events, to give SVX a distinctive, aggressive and purposeful appearance inside and out.

Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Chief Design Officer, said: “The combination of design excellence and engineering integrity inherent in every Land Rover is the foundation of everything we do. The Discovery SVX reinforces Land Rover’s unrivalled reputation for building vehicles with true all-terrain capability for customers who desire the ultimate in off-road performance.”

The production preview SVX at Frankfurt IAA features unique front and rear bumpers with protective skid plates and exposed Rush Orange-finished metal recovery eyes – each rated to enable recovery of more than six tonnes, an anti-glare bonnet finish and an integrated rear-mounted electric winch system.

Discovery SVX also stands out through its exclusive satin Tectonic Grey paint finish, a unique colour and material combination of Lunar and Light Oyster with Rush Orange accents inside, and ‘X’ logo perforations on the SVX-branded seats. Unique Narvik Black side vents with V8 badging, a Narvik Black Dynamic grille, Silver roof rails and a roof-mounted unit with two additional light pods for improved low-light visibility complete the transformation.

The first Land Rover SVX from SVO makes its world debut on the Jaguar Land Rover stand at Frankfurt IAA, 12-24 September, alongside a comprehensive range of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles including SVO stablemates the Range Rover Sport SVR, Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic, Jaguar F-TYPE SVR and Jaguar XE SV Project 8.

ABOUT SPECIAL VEHICLE OPERATIONS – SVO

Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true ‘breadth of capability’ across the model range. Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) is a specialist team of Jaguar Land Rover designers, engineers and technicians dedicated to enhancing the performance, luxury and capability attributes of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.

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