Land Rover is putting the finishing touches to the taceliff of its award-winning SUV - due on sale late 2002, priced from £22,995. With a more upmarket look thanks to its Range Rover-inspired light and bumper arrangement, you could be forgiven for expecting a corresponding rise in price. But that won’t happen. Engineers have kept the Discovery’s cost to a minimum, ensuring it remains competitive with emerging rivals such as Volvo’s forthcoming ACC and the improved Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The ageing 4.0 litre Rover V8 engine that powers the current flagship Discovery is expected to be replaced by the same sized Jaguar V8. Not only is that unit more refined, fuel efficient and modern, it also offers far better performance. The new car will come with a vastly superior five-speed automatic gearbox, too, and Land Rover may use the supercharged version of the engine for a high-performance Discovery. The popular 2.5-litre Td5 will remain unchanged.

Bigger brakes will be fitted and suspenson settings revised. Land Rover is keen to stress the Discovery will be as able in the mud as the current machine.