Land Rover
has globally unveiled the Discovery Sport. With 5+2 seats in small size car
fitted with lots of gizmos, we’re sure people in India can’t wait to get their
hands on this one.
The new
Discovery Sport is basically the replacement for the limping and crawling Freelander
which has been around for about 17 years now and was in a desperate need of a
makeover.
The new
Discovery Sport can seat two extra people, and will have lots of gadgets for
everyone to play with even in the back. With three rows of seats, the car is
fitted with 4 12V power outlets and 6 USB charging point spread across these
three rows, so everybody is happy.
How Land Rover
have been able to squeeze 5+2 seats into the size of a Freelander is by making
the car just a little bit longer of about 19cms than the Freelander and
transversely mounted the four cylinder turbo charged engine and an all-new
multi-link rear axle which not only improves the ride and driving dynamics but
also makes room for more people.
If it comes
to India next year, it’s possible that only the all alloy Si4 2.2L Turbo Diesel
engine will be available which is a good thing because it comes with stop-start
technology, high-pressure direct injection, low-friction internal components
and smart regenerative charging for outstanding performance and economy just
like the petrol engine. But later in 2015, an ED4 turbo diesel engine will join
the range which is more economical, mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission
with a choice of two- or four-wheel-drive. The six speed manual is probably not
coming to India.
The new
Discovery Sport is the first vehicle in the premium compact SUV segment to be
available with 5+2 seats in a size no larger than existing cars of the same
segment and will be made in Land Rover’s Halewood facility in Liverpool, UK for
170 markets worldwide.
As a part of
the new Discovery Sport’s digital unveil, Land Rover teamed up with Virgin to
award 4 people a chance to go into space with seats on the Virgin Galactic as a
part of a digital competition online at www.landrover.com/gotospace
Picture of Discovery Sport