Wednesday 3rd September 2014

Land Rover Discovery Sport: official

The first member of the new Discovery family released, along with a space competition. Really

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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).

Looks comfy back there

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.

Launch video here.

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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!

[TNH]

I actually quite like the look of that.

[JaguarsportXJR]

TNH said:

I actually quite like the look of that.

Me too, surprisingly. Not as keen on having "DISCOVERY" written across the front, but I suppose if they're making it it's own sub-brand, it makes sense.

[tram50]

Looks good and built in Britain.

Land Rover are doing something right if they can make a chunky rufty-tufty off-roader that is 100kg lighter than a BMW M4 'sportscar'

[Uncle John]

Looks nice, might be on the cards in a year or two.

Although the new Discovery will be superb and give all the space needed.

Edited by Uncle John on Wednesday 3rd September 12:13

[Malachimon]

So it's an evoque with extra seats and an uglier back, seems reasonable

[dlockhart]

Well if you can get a 5+2 arrangement for 32k it begins to look like value for money in comparison to VW offerings. I am not sure how I feel about that

[DUMBO100]

It's not been squashed, so that's a good start but the 2.0 diesel sounds a bit slow

[chibbard]

I expected it to look like that before clicking on the link.

[MyCC]

Will sell by the bucket-load. Reasonably priced too.

Regards,

MyCC.

[Quickmoose]

SUV done right.
Keep going JLR.

[P4ROT]

Very impressive. Although, I can imagine 9 speeds feeling a bit ridiculous (some lorries have 12...).


Edit: I failed to look at a picture of the rear- I suppose owners could just reverse it up against a wall when they get to work.

Edited by P4ROT on Wednesday 3rd September 12:30

[GTEYE]

Looks pretty good, apart from the comically large wheels in the first pic....

Weren't these originally supposed to be offroaders? A long time ago....

[oldtimer2]

I think it looks good, nicely proportioned and detailed. It "panders" to its market because that is what its market says it wants. Gerry McGovern`s Evoque design has proven to be very successful (in sales term) and influential. This design has the looks of a winner too.

I do not doubt it will also perform offroad as advertised. Despite what people say, some owners do take their Land Rovers and Range Rovers off road. I`ve just spent the weekend offroading and wading in Dorset with another new RR Sport and a Defender owner.

[TimLambert7]

DUMBO100 said:

It's not been squashed, so that's a good start but the 2.0 diesel sounds a bit slow

0-60 in 8.9 seconds in an SUV sounds ok to me!

Looks great and will undoubtedly sell by the bucket load but I have one problem; if the interior looks cheap in the press photos, will it look even cheaper in 'real-life'?

[dukebox9reg]

TimLambert7 said:

DUMBO100 said:

It's not been squashed, so that's a good start but the 2.0 diesel sounds a bit slow

0-60 in 8.9 seconds in an SUV sounds ok to me!

Looks great and will undoubtedly sell by the bucket load but I have one problem; if the interior looks cheap in the press photos, will it look even cheaper in 'real-life'?

Thats still using the ancient Ford unit. Be interesting to see what their own 2ltrs can do.

[[AJ]]

JLR are on top form at that moment and this new offering is right on the money. Makes the X3 look awful by comparison.

[Quickmoose]

[AJ] said:

JLR are on top form at that moment and this new offering is right on the money. Makes the X3 look awful by comparison.

not difficult mind

[anonymous-user]

No idea about the actual car, but JLRs marketing dept are in serious danger of disappearing up their own Ar*s.....

[AdamLoewy]

Those rear lights are revolting.

[garypotter]

so much better looking than the Evoque, but will it sell with the disco badge?