Introduced in late 2014,[10] it replaces the Freelander in a revised Land Rover range of vehicles, with Discovery joining Range Rover as a sub-brand.[11][10] Contrary to its predecessor, the slightly larger car is also available in a seven seat layout.
The pre-facelift Discovery Sport is based on the JLR D8/LR-MS platform, customised for off-road applications, and is powered by a range of four cylinder petrol and diesel engines.[10][12] It is the first Discovery introduced with a unibody structure.
The Discovery Sport marked the third generation of compact SUV produced by Land Rover and replaced the Freelander. Although the Freelander model range had been a successful way to enable Land Rover to move into the medium SUV market, the company felt that the Freelander brand was tainted with memories of unreliability, and that the Discovery brand was more prestigious.[13][14]
The future design direction of the Discovery sub-brand was initially previewed in the form of the Land Rover Discovery Vision concept, shown at the 2014 New York International Auto Show, and it was during the show that Gerry McGovern announced the Land Rover Discovery Sport would be the first new model in the enlarged Discovery family. The sub-brand was to be used in the same way as Range Rover, but on leisure and family orientated models, with Range Rover models focusing on the luxury market segment.[10] The new Discovery sub-brand was to feature two models initially, the compact Discovery Sport and the larger Discovery (sold as the LR4 in North America and the Middle East).[8][10]
Exterior
Land Rover Discovery Sport SE Tech (rear)
The Discovery Sport was styled by Gerry McGovern, who was responsible for the design of the original Freelander model.[15] The Discovery Sport shares several design cues with the larger Discovery Vision concept, though the concept vehicle is closer in size to the Discovery 4 model.[11] McGovern left Land Rover for Ford in 1999, before returning as Director of Advanced Design in 2004.[15] He was promoted to Design Director when Geoff Upex retired in 2006, and has been responsible for design of all three current Range Rover models. His predecessor, Upex, was responsible for the Freelander 2 design.[16]
The Discovery Sport features a steel monocoque, the bonnet, wings, roof and tailgate are made from aluminium and a panoramic glass sunroof is available either as standard or as an optional extra depending on model variant.[10][14] A powered tailgate can also be specified as an option, featuring remote control operation.[4]
In certain markets, the bonnet is fitted with an airbag to improve pedestrian survivability in the event of a collision. The airbag is mounted in a panel at the trailing edge of the bonnet panel and protects a pedestrian's head from striking the base of the windscreen.[14]
Chassis
The Discovery Sport is the first to feature unibody construction — the larger, full size Discovery models were traditional body-on-frame SUVs, until the Discovery 5 followed suit in 2017. The platform used for the Discovery Sport is the Land Rover LR-MS platform, shared with the Range Rover Evoque and derived from the Ford EUCD platform, but with 90% of components redesigned from scratch to meet Land Rover's specific demands, primarily related to off-road use.[10][17]
The Discovery Sport includes further changes to the platform in comparison with the Evoque, with a new compact rear multi-link suspension design to permit the folding rear seats and spare wheel well in the boot space, without requiring an unduly high and impractical load floor.[11][10][14] The front suspension is a MacPherson strut design carried over from the Range Rover Evoque largely unchanged, and features steel lower and aluminium upper control arms.[11][10][14]
Off-road performance remains broadly similar to the Freelander 2 model, ground clearance is 212mm (8.3in), the same as the Freelander 2 and wading depth is 600mm (24in), an improvement of 100mm (4in).[10][14] The approach angle for the Discovery Sport is 25° and the ramp angle is 21°, reductions of 6° and 2° respectively, when compared to the Freelander 2. The departure angle remains unchanged at 31°. The Discovery Sport features removable components on the lower sections of the front bumper which improves the approach angle.[14]
The braking system comprises disc brakes all round, with 325mm (12.8in) discs at the front and 300mm (12in) at the rear, the brakes are servo assisted and an anti-lock braking system (ABS) is fitted.[14] The braking system also features an emergency brake force assistance system to reduce stopping distances in an emergency, stability aides, and an autonomous emergency braking system.[10] The Discovery Sport, when tested by Euro NCAP in December 2014, was awarded a five star safety rating, and based on its score, was ranked as the safest vehicle in its class, the Small Off-Road class.[18]
Electric power steering is fitted, with 2.43 turns lock to lock and a turning circle of 11.86 metres (38.9ft).[14] The electric power steering system allows the Discovery Sport to feature an automatic parking system.[10]
The Discovery Sport was to be initially be sold with alloy wheels ranging from 18in (460mm) to 20in (510mm) in diameter. Various emergency spare wheels options are available depending on vehicle configuration: a full-size spare wheel mounted internally under the floor of the load area,[14] or if the 5+2 seating option is fitted it a 'space-saver' spare wheel mounted on the underside of the car was to be used. It was not possible to have a factory-fitted tow bar with a spare wheel on 5+2 seat vehicles as they mount in the same place under the vehicle, so a tyre repair system of sealant and a compressor was supplied instead.
Engines
Jaguar Land Rover Ingenium engine
The Discovery Sport was initially powered by the same engine range that features in the outgoing Freelander 2 model for the first model year, the Ford EcoBoost four cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 240PS (180kW; 240hp) (the only engine option for North America) and the Ford Duratorq four cylinder 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine, producing either 150PS (110kW; 150hp) or 190PS (140kW; 190hp).[4][5][11][14]
The engines sourced from Ford were replaced by engines from Jaguar Land Rover's new Ingenium engine line from late 2015. The Ingenium family is a range of modular four cylinder turbocharged engines of 2.0-litre capacity, built around individual 500cc cylinders.[11][14][19] The family is produced in both petrol and diesel variants, and could also be produced in 3, 4 and 6 cylinder options in future, depending on demand and requirements.[19] The range was designed from the outset to accommodate different hybrid power systems, and it was expected that there would be a plug-in hybrid variant.[11][14][19]
The Ingenium engine range can be configured to deliver different power outputs, and the most fuel efficient Discovery Sport eD4 model is powered by a 150PS (110kW; 150hp) 2.0-litre four cylinder turbocharged diesel engine in a front wheel drive only configuration.[10] This model is planned to have CO2 emissions of 119g/km (6.8oz/mi) and fuel economy of up to 24.2km/L (4.13L/100km; 68mpg‑imp; 57mpg‑US).[11][10][14]
The engines in the Discovery Sport are mounted transversely, which creates additional interior space.[11]
Transmission
ZF 9-HP48 sectioned gearbox
The Discovery Sport is manufactured with either a 9–speed ZF9-HPautomatic gearbox or a 6–speed Getrag M66EH50manual gearbox, both of which are also available on the Range Rover Evoque.[4][11][14][20]
Two different all-wheel drive systems are available. The standard system is the Haldex Traction fifth generation system. Optional is the new Land Rover Active Driveline system, which is manufactured by GKN Driveline and which has a 75% smaller parasitic load when compared to the Haldex system. This delivers increased fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.[14][21][22][23] The Active Driveline system works by disconnecting all of the major all wheel drive components from the gearbox, rather than at the central coupling. The system also features torque vectoring to direct power to individual wheels.[21][22][23]
Neither system has a low range transfer box, although the ZF 9-HP features a special very low ratio first gear which is used only when the vehicle is off-road or otherwise needed. For on-road use, the vehicle will normally start in second gear.[14]
The Discovery Sport was also to be available in a two-wheel drive version, in which only the front wheels are driven. The Terrain Response System, which configures the vehicle for off-road use, is deleted.[14] This version was to be the most fuel efficient and least polluting model in the range, and together with the more fuel efficient Jaguar XE models, was to assist Jaguar Land Rover in meeting European Union emissions directives.
Interior
Interior Discovery Sport showing seven seats
The interior of the Discovery Sport is available in a seven-seat (referred to as five plus two) configuration, with the front row featuring two seats and three seats on the second row.[10][14] The second row seats slide and recline, and fold in a 60:40 configuration, folding forward to allow access to a third row of two seats where fitted.[11][10] The third row of seats are not intended for full-time usage, and are described by Land Rover as being suitable for children up to the age of 15 and occasional adult use.[11][14] They fold flat into the floor of the trunk when not in use. Isofix mounting points for child safety seats are fitted as standard.[4]
The central console features an 8 inches (20cm) touch screen allowing access to in car entertainment, satellite navigation and vehicle settings.[11][10][14] The system, shared with the Jaguar XE, allows smartphone connectivity and some models allow the owner to control the vehicle remotely, pre-heating the interior or unlocking the car using a smartphone application.
Early model engines were supplied by Ford manufactured at two sites - the Duratorq diesel engine at the Ford Dagenham plant in the United Kingdom and the Ecoboost petrol engine at the Ford Valencia Plant in Spain.[24][25] The Jaguar Land Rover Ingenium engines, which have replaced the Ford sourced engines in late 2015, are manufactured at Jaguar Land Rover's Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.[19]
The exterior received updated front and rear bumpers with a widen track, new front and rear LED lighting, updated grille design, new lower side mouldings and new alloy wheel designs with the option of 21-inch wheels for the first time. The interior received a new Luxtex upholstery made from recycled polyester microfibre, the Touch Pro infotainment system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a few new features such as a smart rear view mirror.
Front view
Rear view
Safety
Euro NCAP test results Land Rover Discovery Sport 2.2 diesel SE (RHD) (2014)[29]
Test
Points
%
Overall:
Adult occupant:
35.6
93%
Child occupant:
41
83%
Pedestrian:
25.1
69%
Safety assist:
10.8
82%
Euro NCAP test results Land Rover Discovery Sport (2022)[30]
Land Rover is a British brand of predominantly four-wheel drive, off-road capable vehicles, owned by multinational car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), since 2008 a subsidiary of India's Tata Motors. JLR builds Land Rovers in Brazil, China, India, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom. The Land Rover name was created in 1948 by the Rover Company for a utilitarian 4WD off-road vehicle. Currently, the Land Rover range consists solely of upmarket and luxury sport utility vehicles.
Jaguar is the sports car and luxury vehicle brand of Jaguar Land Rover, a British multinational car manufacturer with its headquarters in Whitley, Coventry, England. Jaguar Cars was the company that was responsible for the production of Jaguar cars until its operations were fully merged with those of Land Rover to form Jaguar Land Rover on 1 January 2013.
The Land Rover Discovery is a series of seven-seater family SUVs, produced under the Land Rover marque, from the British manufacturer Land Rover, and later Jaguar Land Rover. The series is currently in its fifth iteration, the first of which was introduced in 1989, making the Discovery the first new model series since the launch of the 1970 Range Rover – on which it was based – and only the third new product line since the conception of the Land Rover by Rover in 1948. The model is sometimes called influential, as one of the first to market a true off-road capable family car.
The Land Rover Freelander is a series of four-wheel-drive vehicles that was manufactured and marketed by Land Rover from 1997 to 2015. Initially a compact SUV built on a body-on-frame chassis, the second generation model, sold from 2007 to 2015 in North America and the Middle East as the LR2 and in Europe as the Freelander 2, transitioned to a car-based platform which placed it into the compact crossover SUV class, and was developed alongside the Volvo XC60, the Volvo S80 and the third generation Ford Mondeo. The name 'Freelander' is derived from the combination of 'Freedom' and 'Lander'.
The AJD is a family of V6 and V8 turbodiesel engines with a clean-sheet architecture and variable valve timing developed by Ford of Europe for its then-subsidiaries Jaguar and Land Rover, as well as for its partner PSA Group working under the Gemini joint development and production agreement. It is called the AJD-V6 in the Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles and the DT17/DT20 by Citroën and Peugeot. The engines share the same bore/stroke ratio, with the V6 version displacing 2.7 L (2,720 cc) and the V8 version displacing 3.6 L (3,630 cc). The V6 and the V8 were launched in 2004 and 2006 respectively. The V6 engine meets the Euro IV emissions standards. A DT20 3.0 L (2,993 cc) was added in 2009 and is based on the DT17 2.7 L (2,720 cc). The V6 is used across many vehicles, from the Citroën C5 and C6, to the Land Rover Discovery, Range Rover, multiple cars in the Jaguar range, and also the Ford Territory and next gen Ford Ranger.
Jaguar Land Rover Halewood is a Jaguar Land Rover factory plant in Halewood, Merseyside, England, and forms the major part of the factory complex in Halewood which is shared with Ford of Britain who manufacture transmissions at the site, and who opened the site in 1962 as their Halewood Body & Assembly plant.
The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, also known as the Range Rover Evoque or the Land Rover Evoque, is a subcompact luxury crossover SUV developed and produced by Jaguar Land Rover under their Land Rover marque. The original Evoque was a development of the Land Rover LRX concept vehicle, which was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January 2008. The first generation Evoque was produced from July 2011 until 2018 in three and five-door versions, with both two-wheel and four-wheel drive. The second generation of the car went into production in 2018.
Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC is the holding company of Jaguar Land Rover, also known as JLR, and is a British multinational automobile manufacturer which produces luxury vehicles and SUV and has its head office in Whitley, Coventry, United Kingdom. The principal activity of Jaguar Land Rover is the design, development, manufacture and sale of vehicles bearing the Jaguar and Land Rover marques.
The Land Rover Range Rover, generally shortened to Range Rover, is a 4x4 luxury SUV produced by Land Rover, a marque and sub-brand of Jaguar Land Rover. The Range Rover line was launched in 1970 by British Leyland and is now in its fifth generation.
Gerard Gabriel McGovern, is a British car designer and the Chief Creative Officer for Jaguar Land Rover leading the Group’s Design Studio at Gaydon, Warwickshire, creating concepts and new models. A strong advocate of design's relevance to brand equity, he is a member of the Jaguar Land Rover board of Management.
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport, generally known as the Range Rover Sport, is a mid-size luxury SUV produced under their Range Rover marque, by the British car manufacturer Land Rover, later Jaguar Land Rover. The first generation started production in 2005, and was replaced by the second generation Range Rover Sport in 2013, which was replaced by the third generation Range Rover Sport in 2022.
The Land Rover Range Rover (L322), generally shortened to Range Rover, is the third-generation Range Rover model from British car maker Land Rover and was originally developed under the codename 'L30'.
Solihull plant is a car manufacturing factory in Lode Lane, Lode Heath, Solihull, UK, owned by Jaguar Land Rover. The plant sits on a 300-acre (120 ha) site and employs over 9,000 people in manufacturing.
The Jaguar XE (X760) is a car manufactured by Jaguar Land Rover and marketed under their Jaguar marque since April 2015. A large family car, it has a four-door saloon car body style and is aimed at the compact-executive market segment. It is front engined and sold with both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The successor to the X-Type, it was designed by Ian Callum and launched at the October 2014 Paris Motor Show. Production of the XE ceased in mid 2024.
Chery Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Company Ltd. is an automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Changshu, China.
The Jaguar F-Pace (X761) is a crossover SUV made by Jaguar Land Rover, a British car manufacturer, under their Jaguar marque. It is the first model to be built by Jaguar in the SUV class. It was formally announced at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, with sales commencing in 2016 following an unveiling at the 2015 International Motor Show Germany in Frankfurt.
The Land Rover Range Rover Velar, generally known as the Range Rover Velar, is a crossover SUV produced by British automotive company Jaguar Land Rover under their Land Rover marque. The fourth model in the Range Rover line, the Velar was unveiled on 1 March 2017 in London, England. The Velar was released in the summer of 2017. The name Velar had previously been used for a series of pre-production first-generation Range Rovers in 1969.
The Jaguar E-Pace (X540) is a subcompact luxury crossover SUV produced by the British car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) under their Jaguar marque. It was officially revealed on 13 July 2017 and was the second production Jaguar SUV.
The Jaguar Land Rover car platforms are the major structures, designed by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), which underpin their Jaguar and Land Rover cars.
The Land Rover Defender is a four-wheel-drive off-road luxury 4x4 from British automotive company Jaguar Land Rover. The vehicle was launched on 10 September 2019 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It is significant for being the first all-new version of the Defender, breaking the engineering lineage with its predecessor, a descendant of the original Series Land Rovers of 1948. The unibody-based Defender is aimed at a more upmarket segment than its predecessor.
↑ Bickerstaffe, Simon (11 May 2011). "Range Rover Evoque". European Automotive Engineers Cooperation (EAEC). Archived from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
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