The concept showcases technologies including remote control off-road driving, predictive infrared laser scanning, gesture and voice control activation, smart glass that transforms the connectivity of the interior experience, and semi-autonomous driving, both on- and off-road.

‘The car of the future will become more capable, cleaner, more connected, more desirable and more intelligent,’ says Dr Wolfgang Epple, director of research and technology at Jaguar Land Rover. ‘These are the five themes that are leading the research we are undertaking at Jaguar Land Rover today.

‘We are showcasing some very exciting new technologies on the Discovery Vision Concept car. While some have real potential and others are just concepts, both Jaguar and Land Rover will continue to set new standards and continue to grow by bringing these new technologies and innovations to our customers.’

The concept includes next-generation Terrain Response that uses infrared lasers in the Discovery Vision Concept's front fog lamps to scan the ground in front of the vehicle and then automatically engage the appropriate traction system to best deal with the terrain ahead. There’s also the Wade Aid latest version of Land Rover’s current Wade Sensing technology, which predicts the depth of water before the car enters.

As part of new driver assistance systems intended to help ensure that drivers are still engaged with their vehicle, Land Rover has previewed All-Terrain Progress Control, which allows for semi-autonomous off-road driving at slow speed. This system can be used with the driver in the vehicle, or in an extreme off-road situation, the driver may decide that it is safer and easier to inch the vehicle over obstacles from an outside vantage point using a tablet or smartphone, or a rotary control removed from the vehicle itself.

‘Our vision is to offer a choice of an engaged or autonomous drive,’ added Dr Epple. ‘Ultimately this means the car could drive itself if the driver chooses, and have intelligent systems that can be adjusted for a more engaging and involved drive. A Jaguar Land Rover Intelligent vehicle will become a reality within the next 10 years.’

Other innovations include the use of “smart” glass across the concept allied to Head-Up Display (HUD) technology, in the windscreen to bring benefits including in-car information and improved visibility. Cameras in the car can project video images onto the smart glass or the HUD. These can make awkward manoeuvres, such as reversing around a corner, much easier.

The Discovery Vision Concept also includes gesture and voice control, which is intended to be used on production Jaguar Land Rover vehicles in the near future.

The concept also uses “Transparent Bonnet” virtual imaging, intended to improve visibility and positioning of the car.

Cameras under the vehicle's grille send video of the terrain being traversed to the Head-Up Display in the windscreen, allowing the driver to see terrain normally obscured by the bonnet and engine, and to see the direction of the front wheels.

On a Jaguar, this new generation Head-Up Display could improve performance driving by projecting road guidance or the racing line in front of the car, ideal for track work. It also helps a driver “see around corners”, as the camera can give the driver a preview of what's upcoming.

Finally, the Discovery Vision Concept features Laser Referencing, which uses laser light tuned to specific colours in the visible spectrum to project images onto the road that can be seen by both the driver and other road users. This has numerous applications, including projecting warning triangles onto the tarmac behind the car for other motorists to see in the event of a stoppage or in fog. The system can also project images onto roads and walls to help parking or driving in congested spaces, or to help the driver judge tight gaps between obstacles off-road.