Will Land Rover Discovery Sport become the top compact SUV?
Land Rover announced that their new Discovery Sport premium compact SUV
The dynamic design with a compact footprint will provide a seven-passenger seating in a 5+2 configuration. The 2015 Land Rover Discovery will have a highly refined combination of performance, safety and efficiency thanks to it it’s high-strength steel and lightweight aluminum. The Land Rover Discovery Sport will have a 350 hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.
Jaguar Land Rover Groups Marketing Director Phil Popham said “The Launch of Discovery Sport is a pivotal moment in the 66 year history of Land Rover. 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.”[su_pullquote align=”right”]”brings the versatility of 5+2 seating to the compact premium SUV market.”[/su_pullquote]
The Land Rover Discovery Sport was designed and engineered in UK at Land Rover Development Center. The Discovery Sport will be produced at the the company’s award-winning manufacturing facility in Halewood, Liverpool, in the United Kingdom. It will go on sale in early 2015.
The new generation of the Land Rover Discovery Sport progressive design will set the tone for Land Rover’s premium SUVs. A dynamic, emotional design sets the Discovery Sport apart from luxury competitors, yet this new model also offers greater versatility than other premium compact SUVs. Its seven-seat capability and elegantly integrated storage ares make the Discovery Sport an ideal family vehicle. The high-quality materials and finishes typical of Land Rover also distinguish the driving experience.
Most of the compact SUVs in the world go for a visual impact. The other ones will try for a space usage and versatility. The Land Rover Discovery Sport combines the two and will also offer the brand’s renowned all-terrain capability, with the ability to scale a 45-degree inline. Besides the overall shape, details including a clamshell hood and distinctive two-bar grille with hexagonal mesh connect it to its’ Land Rover identity. The Large outboard air intakes and LED fog lamps in the front bumper convey a strong sense of “sport” while the slim, wraparound headlamps are reminiscent of designs used on Range Rover vehicles. Halogen headlamps and DRLs will be standard and available trim upgrades will include Xenon headlamps and LEDs (light emitting diodes) for the DRLs. The tail lamp design echoes the headlamps’ slim, wraparound design accentuating the dynamic bodylines.
The Discovery Sport cabin coddles the driver and passengers in true Land Rover luxury. To create a family-friendly SUV, Land Rover invited a large cross-section of families to the development center and watched as they climbed into a variety of current SUVs and performed tasks, such as accessing third-row seating, syncing electronic devices, installing child seats and placing drink containers in cup holders. The results of the study helped designers shape the cabin design and details.
While prioritizing expanded passenger room in all dimensions, the Land Rover Discovery is still able to provide elevated “stadium seating” for the middle row. Second-row passengers sit two-inches (50mm) higher than front-seat occupants, providing a more open feel. The versatile second row seat, in addition to its 60/40 split seatbacks, includes a recline feature and can slide rearward by up to 6.3- inches. In that position, the seat provides 39.8-inches of legroom. The backs of the front seats are contoured to expand second row knee room. The easily accessed child seat LATCH connectors make it easy to swap child seats between vehicles.
