New Land Rover Discovery gets ‘see through’ bonnet. No, it’s not an April fool (video)

The new Land Rover Discovery will use augmented reality to reveal a transparent bonnet to make off-roading easier for drivers.

The idea that the new Land Rover Discovery family – which we’ll get a first look at in New York this month – will come with a see-through bonnet does seem like it’s a story we should have run on 1st April. But it’s not.

In fact, the Transparent Bonnet virtual imaging Concept is an augmented reality view of what’s ahead when you’re off-road, so you have full visibility of what’s ahead and below the car.

Cameras at the front of the new Discovery capture images to provide data for a ‘Heads-Up’ display and effectively creates the illusion as you look ahead of an invisible bonnet and a clear view of what’s going on under the car, and the angle and position of the front wheels.

Dr Wolfgang Epple, Jaguar Land Rover Director of Research and Technology, said:

We believe the next 25 years will be the most exciting and dynamic the automotive industry has ever experienced. There will be huge strides in environmental innovation, in safety and capability.

As our vehicles become more capable and autonomous off-road, we will ensure the driver has the confidence to allow the car to continue to progress, over any terrain. We are developing new technologies including the Transparent Bonnet to give drivers an augmented view of reality to help them tackle anything from the toughest off-road route to the tight confines of an urban car park.

The Transparent Bonnet Augmented View is just one piece of new technology Land Rover will reveal for the new Discovery family when the new Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept debuts in New York.

Which all sounds very promising.