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October 22, 2015
First Look at the Discovery Sport | Land Rover
Land Rover Discovery Sport | Land Rover Discovery Sport
New Compact SUV "Discovery Sport" Unveiled
Land Rover has announced the "Discovery Sport." This is the first model in the new generation Discovery lineup, inheriting the design motifs of the "Discovery Vision Concept" revealed at the New York Auto Show.
Text by OHTO Yasuhiro
The Vanguard of the Next-Generation Discovery
Land Rover has unveiled the all-new premium compact SUV, the "Discovery Sport." As previewed at the New York Auto Show with the "Discovery Vision Concept"Discovery Vision Concept," this vehicle marks the first model in the next-generation Discovery family.
The design theme for the new Discovery family is "Ranger." While retaining the unmistakable Land Rover proportions, the new model enhances its sporty and dynamic character with a distinctive hexagonal grille and a roofline that slopes slightly rearward.
The body is compactly designed, measuring 4,589 mm in length, 2,173 mm in width (including mirrors), and 1,724 mm in height.Current "Discovery"Compared to the current "Discovery," the length is reduced by 239 mm, but the 2,741 mm wheelbase creates a spacious legroom. Furthermore, by positioning the wheels at the very corners of the vehicle, a robust and grounded image is visually conveyed. Of course, the excellent visibility of the bonnet, a hallmark of previous Land Rover vehicles, is faithfully inherited.
The headlights feature a new design with LED daytime running lights (DTRL) encircling them. These DTRLs are notched top, bottom, left, and right, said to mimic a compass, essential for adventure.
In addition to visual appeal, meticulous attention was paid to aerodynamic characteristics affecting performance and fuel economy, achieving a Cd value of 0.36. Measures were also taken to reduce wind noise, with design refinements to the A-pillar and door mirrors, and the application of special sound-absorbing laminate to the windshield to prevent unpleasant noise from entering the cabin.
Land Rover Discovery Sport | Land Rover Discovery Sport
New Compact SUV "Discovery Sport" Unveiled (2)
Pursuit of Space Utility
The interior is composed of a horizontally expanding instrument panel and bold vertical lines for the center console. Aluminum and leather are combined to create a clean and modern space.
Although the total length is only about 4.6 meters, the seats are configured for 5+2, accommodating up to 7 people. To maximize space, even the electrical systems and the rear multi-link suspension were re-engineered.
The body, which achieves high off-road capability and a spacious cabin, is a combination of steel and aluminum, offering both lightness and excellent strength. While the front section shares much with the "Range Rover Evoque" Range Rover Evoque," the platform from the B-pillar backward has been newly developed. Furthermore, in pursuit of weight reduction and optimal space efficiency, the rear structures for the 5-seater and 7-seater configurations were developed separately to ensure no difference in luggage capacity regardless of the chosen configuration.
Engines offered include 4-cylinder gasoline and diesel options. The gasoline version is equipped with an improved 2.0-liter turbo engine, proven in models like the Range Rover Evoque in Japan, delivering a maximum output of 240 ps at 5,500 rpm and peak torque of 340 Nm between 1,800-4,000 rpm. The 2.2-liter diesel turbo comes in two variants, producing 150 ps and 190 ps.
All models are equipped with a ZF 9-speed automatic transmission. For diesel engines, a 6-speed manual transmission from Getrag is also available. Instead of the traditional shift lever, the AT features a rotary dial, commonly seen in recent Jaguar Land Rover family models, including the "Range Rover" Range Rover." Manual gear selection is done via paddle shifters located behind the steering wheel.
Land Rover Discovery Sport | Land Rover Discovery Sport
New Compact SUV "Discovery Sport" Unveiled (3)
Maintaining High Off-Road Performance
As a Land Rover SUV, the Discovery Sport also boasts high off-road capability. It offers a ground clearance of 212 mm, with approach, departure, and breakover angles of 25, 31, and 20-21 degrees, respectively. Equipped with "Wade Sensing," which indicates water depth through sound and display, it can ford water up to 600 mm deep.
The four-wheel-drive system utilizes the "Efficient Driveline," a 5th-generation electronically controlled Haldex center coupling. This system continuously varies front-to-rear torque distribution to ensure maximum performance and traction at all times. Additionally, diesel engines are equipped with "Active Driveline," which can switch between two-wheel and four-wheel drive in just 0.35 seconds, depending on speed and load.
In terms of safety, a pedestrian airbag, a first in this segment, is employed. The airbag deploys within 0.1 seconds of impact detection at speeds between 24-48 km/h. It is designed to prevent accidental deployment during rigorous off-road use, as expected of an SUV.
Furthermore, an autonomous emergency braking system using a digital stereo camera system is also adopted. This system, operational between 5-80 km/h, assists in collision avoidance below 50 km/h and helps mitigate impact below 80 km/h. Other features include "Lane Departure Warning" to alert drivers of unintended lane departures, "Traffic Sign Recognition" which identifies road signs and displays speed limits and overtaking restrictions on the navigation monitor, and "Blind Spot Monitoring and Closing Vehicle Sensing" which detects vehicles in the driver's blind spot or approaching rapidly from behind to change lanes, alerting the driver.
Land Rover Discovery Sport | Land Rover Discovery Sport
New Compact SUV "Discovery Sport" Unveiled (4)
Space Travel Campaign in Collaboration with Virgin Galactic
The Discovery Sport is scheduled for release in early 2015, with production taking place at the Jaguar Land Rover plant in Halewood, Liverpool, UK. The current Discovery model will continue to be sold in parallel after the launch of the Discovery Sport, with further expansion of the Discovery model lineup planned for the future.
This announcement event was held at "Spaceport America," Virgin Galactic's space travel base in New Mexico, USA. As announced at the New York Auto Show, the two companies, sharing "adventure" as a keyword, have established a cooperative relationship.
To commemorate the launch of the new Discovery Sport, a collaborative campaign, the "Galactic Discovery Contest," will be held.
This is a world-first initiative offering a space journey for a group of four as the grand prize. Participants are invited to create a 30-second video or still image expressing their adventurous spirit, select three companions for the space journey, and submit their entry via a dedicated website. Entries are accepted from around the world, including Japan.
Land Rover Discovery Sport Si4
Land Rover Discovery Sport Si4
Body Dimensions | Length 4,589 x Width 2,173 (incl. mirrors) x Height 1,724 mm
Wheelbase | 2,741 mm
Weight | 1,744-1,841 kg
Engine | 1,999cc Inline 4-cylinder Direct Injection DOHC with Turbocharger
Bore x Stroke | 87.5 x 83.1 mm
Compression Ratio | 10.0
Max Output | 177 kW (240 ps) / 5,800 rpm
Max Torque | 340 Nm / 1,750 rpm
Transmission | 9-speed AT
Drivetrain | 4WD
Suspension F/R | Strut / Multi-link
Brakes F/R | φ325 mm Ventilated Disc / φ300 mm Disc
Min. Turning Radius | 5.8 meters
0-100 km/h Acceleration | 8.2 seconds
Fuel Economy (EU Combined) | 8.0-8.3 ℓ/100km (approx. 12.5-12.0 km/ℓ)
Land Rover Discovery Sport SD4 |
Land Rover Discovery Sport SD4
Body Dimensions | Length 4,589 x Width 2,173 (incl. mirrors) x Height 1,724 mm
Wheelbase | 2,741 mm
Weight | 1,765-1,863 kg
Engine | 2,179cc Inline 4-cylinder Direct Injection DOHC Diesel Turbo
Bore x Stroke | 85 x 96 mm
Compression Ratio | 15.8
Max Output | 140 kW (190 ps) / 3,500 rpm
Max Torque | 420 Nm / 1,750 rpm
Transmission | 9-speed AT, 6-speed MT
Drivetrain | 4WD
Suspension F/R | Strut / Multi-link
Brakes F/R | φ325 mm Ventilated Disc / φ300 mm Disc
Min. Turning Radius | 5.8 meters
0-100 km/h Acceleration | (9AT) 8.9 seconds (6MT) 10.4 seconds
Fuel Economy (EU Combined) | 6.1-6.3 ℓ/100km (approx. 16.4-15.9 km/ℓ)
Land Rover Discovery Sport TD4
Land Rover Discovery Sport TD4
Body Dimensions | Length 4,589 x Width 2,173 (incl. mirrors) x Height 1,724 mm
Wheelbase | 2,741 mm
Weight | 1,765-1,863 kg
Engine | 2,179cc Inline 4-cylinder Direct Injection DOHC Diesel Turbo
Bore x Stroke | 85 x 96 mm
Compression Ratio | 15.8
Max Output | 110 kW (150 ps) / 3,500 rpm
Max Torque | 400 Nm / 1,750 rpm
Transmission | 9-speed AT, 6-speed MT
Drivetrain | 4WD
Suspension F/R | Strut / Multi-link
Brakes F/R | φ325 mm Ventilated Disc / φ300 mm Disc
Min. Turning Radius | 5.8 meters
0-100 km/h Acceleration | (9AT) 10.3 seconds (6MT) 11.7 seconds
Fuel Economy (EU Combined) | 5.7-6.2 ℓ/100km (approx. 17.5-16.1 km/ℓ)






