Land Rover has revealed the 2015 Discovery Sport compact three-row luxury SUV, the first of what is expected to be several models in the new Discovery line.
Land Rover, controlled by Tata Motors, looks to have the Discovery Sport replace the company's Freelander entry-level SUV.
"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," said Land Rover CEO and Design Director Gerry McGovern.
The Discovery Sport boasts of a chassis that is made of aluminum and high-strength steel, aiding in the company's vision of making the SUV both light and efficient. Aluminum is also used in the vehicle's roof, tailgate, wings and bonnet, helping the car weigh in at only 1,817 kg, 900 kg less than Land Rover's larger Discovery SUV.
A 240-horsepower turbocharged engine will power up the vehicle, with customers having the option of including the nine-speed automatic transmission system that Land Rover uses in the Evoque small crossover. A selection of four-cylinder models will be available for customers to choose from, with the 2.0-liter petrol and 2.2-liter turbodiesel engines both including Land Rover's advanced stop-start system, along with low-friction internal parts, high-pressure direct injection and smart regenerative charging for improved fuel economy and performance.
Inside the vehicle, the Discovery Sport has the familiar Land Rover feel with a stand out transmission tunnel and a center console, highlighted by an 8-inch touchscreen that controls the car's infotainment system. The system includes voice-controlled navigation, an all-terrain mode, Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, and Land Rover's InControl technology with InControl Apps integration for smartphones.
The Land Rover Discovery Sport will go on sale on January 22, 2015. Four trim levels will be available to customers, namely SE, SE Tech, HSE and HSE Luxury, along with exterior colors of Santorini Black, Fuji White, Indus Silver, Corris Grey, Loire Blue, Kaikoura Stone, Scotia Grey, Firenze Red and the Yulong White limited edition The base price will be $37,995, with $925 in delivery charges.
"The launch of Discovery Sport is a pivotal moment in the 66-year history of Land Rover," said Jaguar Land Rover Group marketing director Phil Popham in a statement. "Not only does it mark the introduction of the first new member of our expanding Discovery family, it also brings the versatility of 5+2 seating to the compact premium SUV market."
