What you're looking at here is 'the world's most versatile premium compact SUV', also known as the Land Rover Discovery Sport. It is the first car in Land Rover's new Discovery family (with the current model still available for a bit) and goes on sale in January.
This is a 'Sports Command Driving Position'
Furthermore, it initiates Land Rover's new product strategy, a 'three-pillar brand architecture'. The Discovery models represent the 'Leisure' aspect, Range Rovers occupy 'Luxury' and the Defender will take a 'Dual Purpose' role.
So what is it? A lot smaller than a Discovery for a start. At 4,590mm long, the Sport is 239mm shorter than a Disco (are they full-fat Discoverys now?) and in fact only 80mm longer than an Evoque. Using a steel monocoque and aluminium panels, a it officially weighs 1,765kg. Let's see what the test scales say...
The most significant aspect of the construction is a new multi-link rear axle. Land Rover claims increased agility, improved axle articulation and unrivalled compliance. It also has benefits for the Sport's '5+2' seating with reduced suspension turret intrusions into the load space. Looks tight back there, doesn't it?
Sport is only 80mm longer than an Evoque
Land Rover is launching the Discovery Sport with one engine, the 190hp SD4 2.2-litre diesel. An ED4 with CO2 emissions of less than 120g/km will arrive later in 2015. With the standard six-speed manual, 62mph takes 10.4 seconds and the top speed is 117mph. The 9-speed ZF auto launched
in the Evoque
last year is a £1,800 option, dropping the 62mph sprint time to 8.9 seconds with an identical top speed. MPG is rated at 46 for the manual.
There's a common theme running with new Land Rover products now. As they pander increasingly to buyers never planning to off-road their SUV, so the car's 4x4 credentials must be emphasised even more. It's the Land Rover heritage after all. So there's loads of tech designed to get you all the way to the top of the hill and back down again.
Terrain Response is there as expected with four settings and the usual Hill Descent Control, stability control and so on. Gradient Release control now aids your climb up so HDC can assist on the way down. The Discovery Sport's off-road vitals are 212mm (ground clearance) and angles of 25 (approach), 31 (departure) and 21 degrees (breakover).
Off-piste adventures take place from a 'Sports Command Driving Position' and the driver looks over an interior 'designed to be premium, not precious'. This is an off-roader, remember. Interior space is described as 'excellent' but the two rear most seats are most definitely occasional. Got it?
The big news inside, unsurprisingly, is on the infotainment front. Land Rover's optional 'InControl' technology covers entertainment, safety and security through smartphone apps and the 8-inch touchscreen. Two phones can be Bluetooth synced and the sat-nav can even stop you getting lost off-road because it 'breadcrumbs'. It's retracing steps basically.
The Discovery Sport range starts at £32,395 for the SD4 SE manual with the equivalent auto £34,195. 'SE Tech is another £1,500 and HSE another £3,700 over that. HSE Lux is £3,600 more than an HSE and only available with the auto. It costs £42,995.
So space was mentioned at the top of the story. As marketing stunts go, this one's pretty spectacular. As part of Land Rover's alliance with Virgin Galactic, it's offering the opportunity for a group of four mates to visit space.
Tagged on to the launch of the Disco Sport but separate from the car, it aims to celebrate Land Rover's heritage of adventure and exploration. To enter submit a 30-second video or still image to http://www.landrover.com/gotospace that demonstrates your spirit of adventure. Nothing more than that. You have until October 31 to enter. If a PHer wins, please let us know; might make a cool story... Best of luck!
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