Extensively revised Land Rover Discovery Sport bows
Having been spotted in pre-production form towards the end of last year, Land Rover has officially released complete details of the updated Discovery Sport.
Aesthetically, the Sport differs only slightly from the model it replaces, in that it now boasts new LED headlights, redesigned front and rear bumpers and an updated grille. Inside, the updates are more prominent with the inclusion of a redesigned facia housing the new Touch Pro infotainment system displayed on a 10.25-inch display incorporating Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4G LTE WiFi.
In addition, the Sport also features wireless smartphone charging, up to six USB ports, three 12-volt power sockets and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Derived from the Evoque, the Sport rates as the second model to receive Land Rover’s ClearSight Ground View system that uses a series of cameras to display a transparent view of not only what happens underneath, but also what is taking place up front.
Also taken from its sibling, the Sport can be have with the smart rear-view mirror that uses a camera to project a high definition rear-view image at the flick of a switch with enhanced details. What’s more, Land Rover has also added its Smart Settings system which, with the help of artificial intelligence, adjusts the seat position, steering wheel, climate control and radio based on driver preference.
Still providing seating for seven in a 5+2 layout with boot space rated at 897-litres or up to 1 794-litres with the second and third rows folded down, the Sport further joins in the Evoque in being based on Land Rover’s new Premium Transverse Architecture platform that only replaces the dated Ford sourced D8 platform, but also incorporates a 48-volt mild hybrid system.
Boasting a more rigid sub-frame than before as well as being 13% stiffer than its predecessor with claimed reduction in noise and vibrations and harshness (NVH) levels, the new platform also sees the inclusion of Land Rover’s second generation Active Driveline system that uses an electronic torque vectoring system to distribute torque between the front and rear axles.
Debuting for the first time on all-wheel-drive models is the Driveline Disconnect system which, as its name suggests disconnects the rear axle to improve consumption, but which re-engages when a slip in traction is detected.
The second generation version of Land Rover’s Terrain Response system is also fitted and offers four modes; Comfort, Sand, Grass/Gravel/Snow and Mud & Ruts, as well as a new Auto setting and a Dynamic mode on models equipped with the optional Adaptive Dynamics system. Ground clearance is rated at 212 mm and wading depth at 600 mm with a braked trailer towing capacity of 2 500 kg.
Like its European cousin, the Sport will be offered in five trim levels; base, S, R-Dynamic S, R-Dynamic SE and R-Dynamic HSE and with the same choice of engines as the Evoque; the 2.0-litre turbocharged Ingenium petrol in the P250 outputting 183 kW and 365 N.m of torque and the similarly sized Ingenium turbodiesel in the D180 that produces 132 kW and 430 N.m. A hybrid model, the P300e, is set to debut next year.
Not expected for South Africa though is the D150 which outputs 110 kW and is claimed to consume diesel at a claimed 5.9 L/100 km, as well as the six-speed manual gearbox. Local models will, for now, only be offered with the same ZF-sourced nine-speed automatic found on the Evoque.
At present, sales of the Discovery Sport will commence towards the end of 2019 with pricing set to be announced closer to the local launch date.
