Spy shots of the 2021 Land Rover Discovery.

The Land Rover Discovery is about to receive its first major update since the current fifth-generation model was launched in 2017.

A prototype of the updated Discovery has been spotted ahead of its expected unveiling later this year or early next year; it should appear as a 2021 model.

Camouflage gear on the prototype suggests that we will see minor tweaks to the front and rear masks and possibly new graphics on the taillights. Also, judging from the camouflage on the dashboard, there will likely be some tweaks to the interior.

Perhaps the most significant change to the new Discovery is the addition of hybrid technology. The Discovery is the last model in the Land Rover lineup that is not electrified in some form.

The most likely option is a mild hybrid with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder, which produces 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in other Land Rover models. The mild hybrid component is an integrated starter motor and generator that assists the engine under heavy loads and recovers energy when braking or coasting.

Another option is a plug-in hybrid that combines a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 with an electric motor. This setup, found in other Land Rovers, delivers a total of 398 hp and 472 lb-ft, with enough battery capacity for an EPA-rated range of 19 miles.

Unfortunately, Land Rover last year scrapped plans for a hard-core Discovery SVX off-roader with a V-8 engine. The move makes sense with the introduction of the new Defender as Land Rover's core off-roader.

The Discovery is produced at Land Rover's plant in Nitra, Slovakia. At this plant, Land Rover also produces the Defender.