New Land Rover Discovery Sport: Mild Hybrid Lowers Emissions
The Land Rover Discovery Sport, the world’s most versatile compact 5+2 SUV, has been updated with the latest technology. It now features a more efficient, electrified powertrain with 48-volt mild hybrid electric motor to help reduce emissions and fuel consumption.
Land Rover’s compact premium SUV has been transformed to make it more efficient and technologically advanced as well as more practical, keeping its occupants safe and comfortable in any conditions.
48-volt Mild Hybrid
The most remarkable change sits under the bonnet, with a new 48-volt Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) powertrain. The system uses an engine-mounted belt-integrated starter to harvest energy while decelerating and stores it in an under-floor battery. At speeds of less than 17km/h or 11mph, the engine will shut off upon braking, before redeploying stored energy to assist the engine under acceleration. This results in lower emissions and an increased fuel efficiency.
Available across the range of four-cylinder Ingenium petrol and diesel engines, the MHEV delivers CO2 emissions from as low as 144g/km CO2 (NEDC equivalent) and fuel economy up to 40.9mpg or 6.9l/100km (based on WLTP test procedure). Later this year, an even more efficient Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrain will complete the range, together with a three-cylinder petrol Ingenium engine.
For now, the most efficient Discovery Sport model is the front-wheel drive diesel with a manual transmission and 150 horsepower, emitting as little as 140g/km of CO2.
Design and Features
On the outside, the trademark Discovery design cues, including the clamshell bonnet, rising beltline and tapered roof remain, but the proportions have been optimised. The front and rear feature new signature LED headlamps, while the grille and bumpers have been redesigned.
In the interior, the hi-tech digital InControl Touch Pro infotainment system impresses occupants, as does the smart rear-view mirror that transforms into a video screen at the flick of a switch. This ingenious feature shows what is behind the vehicle when the view from inside is obstructed by rear passengers or bulky items in the boot.
Refinement and Practicality
Everything has been updated, so the new Discovery Sport, built on Land Rover’s latest Premium Transverse Architecture (PTA). This provides greater versatility and refinement with a 13% stiffer body for more safety in the event of a collision and reduced noise and vibration on every journey.
Practicality has not been forgotten either. New seats across each of the three rows provide improved comfort and versatility, thanks to the second row 40:20:40 split fold and slide functionality, boosting the possible number of seat combinations to 24. Meanwhile, the fuel tank capacity has increased by 20% (up to 65 litres) for more worry-free kilometres on a full tank of diesel or petrol.
Embracing the adventurous spirit that has defined the Discovery family for the past 30 years, the new Discovery Sport is a striking evolution of the original that does not compromise capability. To find out more about all the features on the new Discovery Sport, click here.
