Disco Sport 'Black Edition' tops updated lineup

Discovery Sport earns 290hp four-cylinder petrol engine as an alternative to the plug-in P300e

By Sam Sheehan / Wednesday, 26 August 2020 / Loading comments

Land Rover has updated the Discovery Sport and Evoque for 2020, adding more hybrid engines, cabin tech and new trim variants. The Disco Sport receives the most updates, including a 290hp four-pot introduced exclusively for a new Black Edition that mixes the familiar Ingenium 2.0-litre petrol motor with JLR’s now ubiquitous mild hybrid system.

In contrast to the recently-launched Disco Sport P300e, which combines JLR’s new three-cylinder engine with an electric motor, the P290 mates its four-cylinder engine to a 48v battery-powered, belt-driven starter motor, producing 295lb ft of torque. It uses a nine-speed automatic gearbox and Land Rover’s active all-wheel drive system for a 0-62mph sprint time of 7.4 seconds, and a CO2 output of 211g/km if you're not trying so hard. Neither of those stats are class leading, but Land Rover is obviously keen to lure buyers not yet ready for a plug-in hybrid.

The new Black Edition also wears a bespoke finish to bolster its sportier credentials. Building on the already generously-specced R-Dynamic S base, it gets standard-fit Black Pack bits, including a roof finished in contrasting shades of black or grey, 20-inch wheels finished with gloss black paint or a diamond-turned finish, as well as a choice of five exterior colours. They include Namib Orange, Carpathian Grey and Firenze Red, as well as Yulong White and Hakuba Silver, if you’re wondering. Additionally, there are LED headlights and a panoramic roof.

The standard spec’s higher, too, with keyless entry, a powered tailgate and a cabin finished with Luxtec Suedecloth trim or grained leather included. The Disco Sport’s digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen are also present, thanks to the addition of Electrical Vehicle Architecture, with Land Rover’s new Pivi and Pivi Pro software to offer sharper graphics and simpler operation, as well as JLR’s ‘always on’ tech and free over-the-air updates.

The new tech is not exclusive to the Black Edition, of course, nor is the use of mild hybrid hardware. Indeed, the other two new arrivals to the Disco Sport’s engine lineup, the D165 or D200, both use the system to help produce as little as 163g/km to go with their middling diesel performance. These MHEV powerplants are added to the Evoque line-up for 2020 as well.

The Evoque gets the new Pivi and Pivi Pro infotainment software as well, plus a new air filtration system and additional driver assist features. Top of the pile is Land Rover’s 3D surround camera system, which provides a full view of the car’s surroundings at up to 19mph. Over-the-air updates and wireless charging are also thrown in with the new electronic architecture, and are likely to become more significant Land Rover continues to tweak its latest modular technology. It should all help to make both the Disco Sport and Evoque ranges more appealing, while not drastically altering either their popularity or attainability. They remain closely priced, with the former starting from £31,915 and the latter opening from £32,100. Both are available to order now.