New Discovery Sport: Compact, composed and still as capable as ever

A number of innovative new features make the new Land Rover Discovery Sport as capable as ever.

Built on Land Rover’s Premium Transverse Architecture, this compact SUV has been designed with electrification at its heart, with a new 48-volt mild-hybrid electric (MHEV) powertrain available from launch, with the plug-in hybrid model set follow later this year.

Powering up the new Discovery Sport

Designed to harvest the energy normally lost under deceleration, the system stores it in an underfloor battery, ready to be redeployed when the vehicle pulls away and to assist the engine under acceleration. When braking at speeds below 11mph, the engine will shut-off to minimise emissions. This technology combines to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Nick Rogers, Jaguar Land Rover’s Executive Director, Product Engineering, said the business has pledged to deliver an electrified option of every new model from 2020, and this is the latest step towards that goal, adding:

“Mild-hybrid powertrains deliver real-world emissions and fuel consumption savings today that every driver can benefit from on every journey. Not only is an electrified Plug-in Hybrid model joining the line-up later this year, we have also enhanced our already clean Ingenium petrol and diesel engines to be certified to the latest Real Driving Emissions (RDE2), offering further taxation savings.”

With customers able to choose from a range of three petrol and four diesel Ingenium variants, there is an engine to suit all needs, with the efficient 150PS diesel manual (FWD) delivering CO2 emissions of 140g/km and fuel consumption from 47.8mpg. 

At the other end of the spectrum is the 250PS AWD petrol model producing 400Nm of torque capable of propelling the compact Land Rover from 0 to 60mph in 7.1 seconds.

An updated nine-speed ZF transmission offers a further two percent fuel economy saving with changes to the front bumper, engine under tray and active vanes on the air intake all improving the vehicle’s aerodynamics further.

Ensuring the Discovery Sport can go anywhere

The new Discovery Sport is now available with Terrain Response 2 as standard, allowing the driver to choose from four modes – comfort, sand, grass-gravel-snow, mud and ruts, to optimise its performance and capability. 

Other features include ClearSight Ground View – which is a true realisation of Land Rover’s transparent bonnet concept – allowing drivers to navigate rough terrain, high kerbs or tight car parks. 

Hill descent control and All-Terrain Progress Control come as standard, while most models come with Active Driveline – an electronic torque vectoring system – and Driveline Connect that disengages drive to the rear wheels to reduce frictional losses and improve fuel economy.

The new Land Rover Discovery Sport is available to buy now with prices starting in the UK at £31,875 – configure your new vehicle here.

Gallery