Land Rover has revealed the new Discovery Sport, “the world’s most versatile and capable premium compact SUV”, Alfardan Premier Motors announced yesterday.
The first member of the new Discovery family, the Discovery Sport features 5+2 seating in a footprint no larger than existing five-seat premium SUVs.
The Discovery Sport’s progressive new design approach focuses on optimised volume, proportions and stance. “Our challenge has been to combine premium design with exceptional versatility; the two attributes must work in harmony,” said Gerry McGovern, Land Rover design director and chief creative officer.
Land Rover digitally revealed the new Discovery Sport at Spaceport America in New Mexico, US, also launching the Land Rover Galactic Discovery competition. Four friends are set to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to space with Land Rover’s global partner, Virgin Galactic, as part of an innovative digital competition at www.landrover.com/gotospace
This spirit of adventure is reflected in the Discovery Sport’s interior, which has been designed with customers at its core. It features high-quality materials and a strong vertical centre console graphic to reflect the premium design of the exterior.
Storage solutions are integrated into the cabin and up to four 12V power points and six USB charging sockets can be specified for all three rows of seating, allowing multiple electronic devices to be charged simultaneously.
A host of innovations have allowed the Discovery Sport to introduce the versatility of 5+2 seating into the premium compact SUV class for the first time. An all-new multi-link rear axle not only provides engaging driving dynamics, but also offers ample and flexible cabin space behind the second row.
Coupled with supple long-travel suspension, the innovative rear axle also ensures that the Discovery Sport is comfortable, refined and rewarding to drive on road, while retaining the breadth of all-terrain capability for which Land Rover is world-renowned.
With approach, departure and breakover angles of 25, 31 and 21 degrees, respectively, Terrain Response technology, and the ability to wade to 600mm, the Discovery Sport offers class-leading capability in all conditions.
As with every new Land Rover, safety has been a key priority in the development of the new Discovery Sport, resulting in a first-in-class pedestrian airbag, autonomous emergency braking and a state-of-the-art bodyshell featuring both ultra-high-strength steel and lightweight aluminium.
This represents a fraction of the advanced equipment available in the Discovery Sport, which also includes Head-Up Display, an all-new 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and tilt-and-slide row-two seating for maximum interior configurability.
At launch, the Discovery Sport will be equipped with a range of four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. Both the all-alloy Si4 2.0-litre petrol engine and the 2.2-litre turbodiesel feature stop-start technology, high-pressure direct injection, low-friction internal components and smart regenerative charging for outstanding performance and economy.
Later in 2015, a highly efficient ED4 turbodiesel engine will join the range with CO2 emissions of just 119g/km. Both nine-speed automatic and six-speed manual transmissions are available, along with a choice of two- or four-wheel-drive.
The Discovery Sport will be produced at Land Rover’s award-winning manufacturing facility at Halewood, Liverpool. It goes on sale in early 2015 alongside the existing seven-seat Land Rover Discovery in over 170 markets worldwide.