Land Rover Discovery Sport unveiled [w/video]
After several teaser images and videos, Land Rover has unveiled its Discovery Sport model, replacing the current Freelander.
As the pictures show, this is a welcoming departure from the rather boxy design of the current Freelander. The exterior design, from the nose, along the side of the SUV and the rear, now features a close resemblance to that of the more expensive Range Rover as well as the compact Evoque. The Sport offers a 5+2 seating configuration, a setup which could be offered on the standard derivatives as well.
To sum it all up, Gerry McGovern, Land Rover’s design director and chief creative officer said the following:
“Our challenge has been to combine premium design with exceptional versatility; the two attributes must work in harmony. I’m proud to say we’ve achieved that; Discovery Sport’s dynamic design will resonate on an emotional level with consumers, and this vehicle is more versatile than any other premium compact SUV on the market.”
Apart from the importance of versatility, the need for more electronic devices once on the move is also catered for. There are four 12V power points and the vehicle can offer up to six USB charging sockets.
Land Rover’s aim to always offer a luxurious on-road experience as well as true off-road capability is evident in the new model. The Discovery Sport offers an approach, departure and breakover angle of 25, 31 and 21 degrees respectively. As before, the company’s Terrain Response system allows different settings for challenging off-road conditions while Land Rover claims a wading depth of up to 600 mm.
Safety features that Land Rover highlighted is a first-in-class pedestrian airbag while autonomous emergency braking is also offered.
In the UK two models will be launched, the eD4 and the SD4, both will only be available from early 2015. The SD4 uses a 2,2-litre, turbodiesel engine delivering 140 kW. This model will be available with both the 9-speed automatic transmission and a 6-speed manual gearbox. The eD4 is aimed at offering the most frugal alternative. Land Rover claims only 119 g/km of CO2 for this model.
Expect the Discovery Sport to arrive in South Africa during the end of the first quarter of 2015 or early in the second quarter. Details and pricing of the local range will become available closer to the launch date.
