Land Rover update the Discovery Sport for 2018
01.07.2017 by Rovertune
Land Rover has announced updates for the forthcoming Discovery Sport 2018MY. For the first time in the UK a new Ingenium Si4 petrol engine with two outputs will feature in this vehicle as well as a new uprated SD4 Ingenium diesel engine to compliment the current TD4 engines. We detail below further details of the new vehicle as published by Land Rover.
2018MY DISCOVERY SPORT
1. Discovery Sport Design
2. Engineering Excellence
3. Highly-efficient powertrain line-up
4. Outstanding capability both on- and off-road
5. Advanced safety technologies
6. Infotainment and convenience features
1. DISCOVERY SPORT DESIGN
Discovery Sport is clearly identifiable as a Land Rover and shares a consistent design approach to the recently-launched New Discovery. The vehicle brings a sense of dynamism and projects an image of confidence with its wheel-at-each-corner stance.
The vehicle’s striking interior delivers a high level of versatility with 5+2 seating and elegantly integrated stowage areas. This is complemented by a wide choice of superior quality materials to give the vehicle a premium look and feel.
A progressive design approach
Discovery Sport projects a dynamic attitude. Optimised volume, proportions and stance ensure a striking visual impact without compromising the functionality and engineering excellence for which the iconic Discovery nameplate is world-renowned.
At 4,589mm long, Discovery Sport’s compact footprint is 381mm shorter than the New Discovery and its generous wheelbase of 2,741mm creates exceptional legroom. This has allowed Land Rover designers to push the wheels out towards all four corners of the vehicle resulting in a visually robust, compact stance and low centre of gravity that’s suggestive of Discovery Sport’s agile, planted driving experience and unrivalled all-terrain capability. Sleek, wraparound corners further reduce visual bulk of the front and rear overhangs.
Signature design features include the clamshell bonnet and distinctive two-bar grille with hexagonal mesh, which complement the perfectly balanced proportions. Smoothly contoured body surfaces, strong and dynamic lines, and robust detailing (including rugged skid plates) signal Discovery Sport’s incredible breadth of capability. The fast bonnet line with pronounced step into the rising belt line conveys a dramatic stance, while the roof tapers subtly downwards, adding extra dynamism.
Discovery Sport’s dynamic profile optimises aerodynamic efficiency with an impressive 0.37Cd, enhancing performance, fuel economy and refinement. Wind noise has been minimised through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and exhaustive wind tunnel tests. Particular attention was paid to key areas such as the shape of the A-pillar and door mirrors, and a special acoustic windscreen lamination reduces wind noise further.
Additional CFD tests were used to greatly reduce road grime or dirt being transferred onto the rear of the vehicle, particularly beneficial on unmade roads or in harsh winter conditions.
Distinctive design details
Discovery Sport’s optimised volume and proportions are enhanced with carefully considered design details. A strong C-pillar graphic is key in creating the vehicle’s dynamic profile; it rakes dramatically forwards and stops short of the gloss-black window surrounds, allowing for an optional contrast roof graphic.
The Discovery Sport headlamp design makes a strong visual impact, with a slim, wraparound design and circular daytime-running lights (DRLs). The DRLs are punctuated at four equal intervals to represent the points of the compass and underline the sense of adventure integral to Discovery DNA.
Every Discovery Sport is fitted with Halogen headlamps and DRLs, upper trim levels feature Signature headlamps, and customers can also specify Signature Plus headlamps. Signature headlamps feature Xenon and LED technology, while Signature Plus add adaptive-cornering technology to match the light beam to the driver’s steering angle.
The headlamps’ striking graphics are echoed in the tail lamps, with a wraparound design and a choice of standard or Signature lamps.
Robust bumpers reflect the go-anywhere capability of Discovery Sport. The front bumper houses large outboard air intakes with LED fog lamps, while a bold trapezoidal lower intake conveys a sense of strength and houses the central bumper beam and skid plate. The rear bumper reinforces this bold design theme, with a rugged skid plate flanked by twin exhaust outlets.
Land Rover’s distinctive fender vents receive a fresh interpretation for Discovery Sport, with a horizontal, blade-like graphic that flows into the feature line sweeping along the body. Purposeful wheel-arch mouldings with distinctive castellations pay homage to Land Rover’s unique heritage.
At the rear of the vehicle, the spoiler’s carefully crafted inner extensions optimise airflow for exceptional aerodynamic efficiency. A centrally mounted high-level spotlamp uses advanced LED light-pipe technology, for a distinctive and visible ribbon of light.
Discovery Sport’s palette of 12 colours aligns with the larger New Discovery’s colour options. These include Solid colours: Fuji White, and Narvik Black; Metallic: Indus Silver, Yulong White, Scotia Grey, Corris Grey, Santorini Black, Firenze Red, and Byron Blue; and Premium Metallic: Namib Orange, Carpathian Grey, and Silicon Silver.
Offering further differentiation, the Black Pack emphasises the vehicle’s sporting appearance with a gloss-black grille, door mirror caps, front fender vents, bonnet and tailgate lettering and a choice of eye-catching 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels. For further distinction, a contrast roof extends to the base of the A-pillars and is available in either Santorini Black or Corris Grey.
A range of seven distinctive alloy wheel designs – including the striking Aero Viper – is available with a selection of Sparkle Silver, Dark Grey, Gloss Black and diamond-turned finishes depending on wheel design.
Premium interior with 5+2 seating versatility
Discovery Sport’s interior has been designed to provide a versatile and calming space, one in which every occupant feels equally comfortable and the driver is able to pay maximum attention to the road. Its highly configurable 5+2 seating is unique-in-segment.
At an early stage in the vehicle’s development programme Land Rover designers invited a large cross-section of families to a UK development centre. The design team watched on as the families climbed into a variety of SUVs, accessed third-row seating, synced electronic devices, attached child seats to ISOFIX anchor points and placed drinks containers in cup holders. The results helped shape the Discovery Sport into the most versatile premium compact SUV.
Discovery Sport’s interior is a highly-configurable space, making it perfect for demanding family schedules and active lifestyles. Land Rover designers have prioritised head-, knee- and shoulder-room, and interior space is excellent in all derivatives thanks to a wheelbase of 2,741mm, while the backs of the front seats are ergonomically contoured to unlock even more knee-room.
A selection of four trim levels is available: S, SE, HSE and HSE Luxury. From SE specification, the second-row seating is offered with tilt-and-slide functionality, and is individually adjustable with a 60:40 split. This enables row-two occupants to recline their seats or slide them forwards or back by a class-leading 160mm and still benefit from 999mm of legroom. Alternatively, load capacity can be increased as desired from 813-litres to as much as 981-litres with row-two seats in place. With both rear rows folded flat, the volume increases to 1,777-litres.
Extra attention has been paid to slim-line packaging of the vehicle’s electrical architecture – for instance mounted electrical modules and routing harness run as space-efficiently as possible – in the side panels of the load space to maximise volume. The multi-link rear axle also ensures the rear suspension turrets create minimal intrusion into the luggage area.
These innovations are key for Land Rover to offer unique-in-segment 5+2 seating. This provides rear seating that’s not only easy to access and comfortable for third row passengers, but can also be folded away to provide luggage volume equal to that of a five-seat derivative. In fact, both second- and third rows can be folded down using one hand to create an even greater load area. The load-space floor has been located as low down as possible, increasing space and ensuring that even large items are easy to load and unload.
Row-two seating is fitted with ISOFIX anchor points for child car seats. The anchor points are easily accessed by removing two caps and slotting the child seat’s attachment points between two guides; it makes fitting child seats and swapping them between family cars as painless as possible, enhancing both safety and convenience.
A great deal of collaboration between exterior and interior designers has resulted in a significant packaging solution. For instance, row-two occupants benefit from stadium seating that’s raised 50mm relative to the vehicle’s front-seats. The result is a cabin that feels more open and inclusive for row-two occupants while still providing plenty of head-room for even taller passengers. Row three passengers’ seats are raised to provide better forward vision of the road, a key contributor to minimising occupant sickness.
Maximum convenience for up to seven people
Discovery Sport is available with up to four 12V power points, while as many as six USB charging sockets can be specified for all three rows. This allows multiple electronic devices to be recharged simultaneously.
Two different centre console storage solutions are available. S and SE derivatives provide space for two cups along with a separate roller storage section; HSE and HSE Luxury derivatives have a larger console that includes a sliding armrest and a roller storage section with two removable cup holders located underneath; this space can be separately and quickly re-configured to offer space to securely hold a two-litre bottle.
Storage areas have been designed to be as deep and accommodating as possible. The door speaker housings not only complement the interior’s clean lines and ensure excellent sound quality, they also provide the maximum space for stowage. At 13.8-litres, Discovery Sport’s front and rear door housings offer more than double the stowage space of some rival SUVs.
In typical Discovery tradition, a simple but effective convenience hook allows loose items to be secured in the passenger footwell. Row-three passengers have a storage shelf, and load-space rails are available to add further versatility.
Discovery Sport customers can choose from two air-conditioning systems: a manual interface is fitted to entry-level models, while dual-zone climate control with an LCD interface for the driver and front-seat passenger is also available. For dual-zone systems, the air vents for row-two occupants are mounted mid-way up the B-pillar for more effective cold-air distribution. If both dual-zone climate control and 5+2 seating are specified, an independent control unit is available, allowing row-three occupants to set their desired temperature and fan speed; row-three air vents are also positioned mid-way up the C-pillar.
Other convenience features include a sensor to detect and automatically clear windscreen misting, and an air-quality sensor that switches to re-circulation mode should high pollution levels be registered. ECO mode optimises the air-conditioning system – along with other vehicle settings – for maximum efficiency.
Clean and striking interior design, without compromise
The centrepiece of the cabin is the striking intersection between the bold vertical lines of the centre console and the slimmer horizontal elements of the instrument panel. The pronounced centre console architecture ensures all controls are grouped logically. Soft-touch rotary controls and buttons set into a gloss-black surround create a tactile user-interface and are easy for the driver to find under the glare of direct sunlight.
A clean and elegant three-spoke, multi-function steering wheel frames a modern and easy-to-read instrument cluster. Housed under a compact curved binnacle, the instrument cluster’s twin analogue dials are set deep in circular housings. A central five-inch colour TFT display is positioned between the twin dials, presenting key data such as fuel levels, gear position, temperature and Terrain Response® modes.
All derivatives specified with the nine-speed automatic gearbox are fitted with paddle shift controls, allowing the driver to manually select each gear for added control during towing or in challenging off-road and dynamic on-road scenarios.
Discovery Sport features a raised Sports Command Driving Position to provide the driver with a clear view of the road ahead, while the interior is characterised by clean, elegant lines.
All materials used in the Discovery Sport’s cabin are of high quality, designed to be premium, not precious. The HSE Luxury, for example, has twin-needle-stitched leather on the upper roll of the instrument panel and door surfaces. This creates a premium feel while the vertical spars on the centre console are available in a genuine metal finish, heightening luxury without impacting on longevity.
Entry-level S models are available with a mix of Resolve and Tofino cloth trim, while all other derivatives feature leather upholstery, from grained part-leather on SE models through to luxurious Windsor leather on the range-topping HSE Luxury. A selection of six interior colourways is available: Ebony, Cirrus, Glacier, Ivory, Almond and Tan.
Interior ambience can be further enhanced by subtle and highly configurable mood lighting, controlled via the central eight-inch touch screen.
Personalisation options for added individuality and convenience
The Land Rover Discovery Sport is offered with a comprehensive range of bespoke options, allowing owners to enhance specific elements of the vehicle or increase versatility still further. Interior and exterior options include:
• The Black Pack includes a gloss-black grille, door mirror caps, front fender vents, bonnet and tailgate lettering and a choice of eye-catching 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels
• A contrast roof extends to the base of the windscreen’s A-pillar and creates additional visual distinction in Santorini Black or Corris Grey
• A range of seven distinctive alloy wheel designs – including the striking Aero Viper – is available with a selection of Sparkle Silver, Dark Grey, Gloss Black and diamond-turned finishes, depending on wheel design
• Front and rear undershields, together with stainless-steel side tubes with a highly polished finish, underline Discovery Sport’s all-terrain capability. Noble-plated door-mirror caps complement the look
• A full panoramic roof with a dark tint and a special surface treatment for a high degree of solar protection brings a further sense of space and versatility to the interior. An electrically retracting blind with a solar reflective coating offers additional shade when required
• Two alternative designs of Land Rover-branded aluminium treadplate finishers for the front doors are available with either a brushed metal finish or added illumination when the doors are opened
• Stainless-steel sports pedals and footrest are available, as are tactile gear-shift paddles machined from a solid block of aluminium and anodised to ensure exceptional wear resistance
• A range of towing accessories is available, including a detachable towing system and fixed-height tow bar
• Load-space Rails create a highly configurable luggage area, and can be specified in conjunction with a Retention Kit featuring a telescopic crossbeam and retractable band to secure loose items
Optional features for added convenience include:
• Headrest-mounted iPad holders keep rear-seat passengers entertained and feature quick-release fixings for added security
• A Centre Armrest Cooler and Warmer Box is finished in premium leather and provides convenient stowage for food and drinks while maintaining items at a desired temperature
• A full range of rubber mats and liners ensure carpets and the entire load-space area can be protected from mud and wear-and-tear under heavy use
2. ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE
Outstanding capability has been at the core of every Land Rover since 1948; Discovery Sport maintains that heritage. It has been engineered to provide best-in-class off-road capability, on-road dynamics, interior packaging, safety innovations and use of intelligent lightweight materials. The result is the most versatile premium compact SUV currently on sale.
Engineering innovations include: a lightweight bodyshell with a mix of steel and aluminium; all-new multi-link rear axle; advanced nine-speed automatic transmission; and an exceptional 109g/km CO2*.
The latest multi-dimensional simulation tools allowed Land Rover to thoroughly assess packaging requirements at an early stage, after which almost 200 prototypes were built. These prototypes undertook a combined total of 6,800 test weeks in a punishing schedule to ensure exceptional levels of reliability, off-road capability and on-road dynamics. Extremes of altitude, temperature and terrain all formed part of the rigorous testing regime, which spanned the globe and included the US, Dubai, Spain, Morocco, Germany, Sweden, the UK and Austria.
Crucially, customer clinics also allowed Land Rover to listen to potential owners and watch as their families put prototype design solutions to the test; their feedback proved invaluable in creating a compact premium SUV with unparalleled versatility.
The result is a vehicle that can accommodate seven people in total comfort and offers an exceptional blend of performance, refinement and economy, sharp handling dynamics, can tow up to 2.5 tonnes, and tackle even the most challenging terrain with total composure.
Lightweight monocoque with all-new multi-link rear axle
The brief for Land Rover engineers was particularly challenging: produce a premium SUV that’s more compact than rivals, yet seats up to seven occupants in comfort and offers exceptional levels of efficiency and versatility.
Discovery Sport’s lightweight monocoque and all-new multi-link rear axle was pivotal in meeting this challenge. The vehicle bodyshell has been optimised using the latest multi-dimensional computer simulation tools, and includes an innovative blend of metals: high-strength steel, ultra high-strength boron steel and lightweight aluminium. Hot-stamped boron steel, for instance, is used in key parts of the crash safety cell including the A- and B-pillars – enabling them to be of a slim design for excellent visibility and enhanced aesthetics – and the door sills, which resist deformation and intrusion in the event of an accident. Aluminium is employed for the bonnet, front fenders, roof and tailgate to reduce weight.
Largely shared with the award-winning Range Rover Evoque, the front architecture includes a magnesium crossbeam for outstanding torsional rigidity and reduced weight. However, the platform is all-new from the B-pillar rearwards, with thousands of hours invested in ensuring every component is packaged as compactly as possible. The result is maximum interior space, 5+2-seat versatility and peerless off-road capability in a surprisingly compact footprint.
In fact, two separate rear architectures have been independently developed, allowing both five- and seven-seat derivatives to be offered with a spare wheel without impacting on luggage volume. Discovery Sport is 80mm longer than the Range Rover Evoque, and all of the increase is contained within the wheelbase.
Special attention was given to providing easy access for all occupants, while the load-space floor is as low as possible to maximise luggage space and facilitate loading and unloading.
Innovative multi-link axle for exceptional dynamics, refinement and space efficiency
With fully independent suspension, Discovery Sport delivers dynamic and refined on-road behaviour allied to outstanding off-road capability. Featuring lightweight aluminium chassis components for high strength and reduced unsprung weight, the new chassis also helps to reduce interior noise and increase occupant space.
Coil springs are used on the front suspension, with steel front lower control arms and aluminium suspension knuckles; the suspension struts use advanced hydraulic rebound stops for excellent refinement. This vastly reduces noise entering the cabin when, for instance, the suspension rebounds after impact with a deep pothole.
A compact multi-link rear axle debuts for numerous benefits. These include exceptional on-road agility, class-leading wheel travel and axle articulation – at 340mm – and extremely high levels of composure in on- or off-road environments. The new rear axle also reduces road noise entering the cabin and, because the suspension turrets make only a minimal intrusion into the luggage area, allow row-two seating to slide and recline past the turrets for maximum leg-room. Similarly, the multi-link rear axle is key in delivering 5+2 seating versatility and generous luggage space in a compact footprint.
The lower control arm and rear suspension knuckle are produced from thin-walled hollow aluminium castings, an innovative lightweight solution that also increases strength. The rear suspension is mounted on an optimised steel subframe, which is light and stiff to promote excellent steering response, rewarding dynamic behaviour and outstanding interior refinement.
Adaptive Dynamics MagneRide™ dampers are available on SD4 and Si4 five-seat derivatives, for an exceptional combination of handling precision and occupant comfort.
3. HIGHLY-EFFICIENT POWERTRAIN LINE-UP
Discovery Sport delivers outstanding performance, refinement and efficiency courtesy of a range of turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Advanced technologies include smart regenerative charging, which prioritises charging the battery while the car is decelerating, greatly reducing the electrical system’s demands on the engine.
Nine-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmissions are available, and customers can choose from two-wheel drive or two different four-wheel-drive systems: Efficient Driveline for assured handling on-road and outstanding all-terrain capability, or Active Driveline, which switches between two- and four-wheel drive for added efficiency, agility and off-road versatility.
A choice of three compact, lightweight and low-emission four-cylinder Ingenium engines are available for the 2018 model year Discovery Sport. One petrol engine, in two outputs, and two diesel, in three outputs, complete the new powertrain line-up. All five derivatives meet stringent EU6 emissions regulations.
Full engine line-up
Engine Capacity Power (PS) Torque (Nm) CO2 (g/km)*
Ingenium Petrol: Si4 240 2.0-litre 240 365 181 / 182
Ingenium Petrol: Si4 290 2.0-litre 290 400 186 / 190
Ingenium Diesel: Td4 150 2.0-litre 150 380 139
Ingenium Diesel: Td4 180 2.0-litre 180 430 139
Ingenium Diesel: Sd4 240 2.0-litre 240 500 169
* CO2 figures relate to five-seat / seven-seat bodystyles (where applicable), all four-wheel drive with automatic transmission
Ingenium diesel engines
Designed in-house by Land Rover and produced at the company’s £500 million Engine Manufacturing Centre in the West Midlands, UK, the Ingenium 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines are the most fuel-efficient Land Rover diesel engines.
An entirely clean-sheet design, all Ingenium engines are based around a deep-skirt aluminium cylinder block featuring thin-wall, press-fit cast-iron liners for optimum weight, surface finish and robustness. Fuel is fed to the combustion chambers by an incredibly efficient 1,800bar solenoid common-rail system, providing precision injection with low noise and excellent mixture formation characteristics.
Highly-efficient variable geometry turbochargers create a rapid build-up of torque from very low revs, with maximum torque spread over a wide rev range for instantaneous response and strong acceleration on demand.
A 150PS Td4 eCapability offers 380Nm, while returning as much as 60.1mpg (4.7 l/100km)* on the EU combined cycle and emitting as little as 123g/km CO2* when specified with a manual gearbox and two-wheel drive.
The more powerful 180PS Td4 offers an even more potent 430Nm, together with a highly impressive 55.4mpg (5.1 l/100km)* and 134g/km CO2* for four-wheel-drive derivatives equipped with a manual gearbox.
For the first time on the Discovery nameplate, the series-sequential turbocharged 240PS diesel engine is available. A small-capacity Variable Geometry Turbo enables 500Nm of torque from as little as 1,500rpm, while the large low-pressure turbocharger generates 3.7bar of boost to ensure peak power at high engine speeds. The manifold is integrated within the turbine housing to reduce exhaust gas heat losses packaging advantages. The flexible unit is capable of returning 44.1mpg (6.4l/100km)* on the EU combined cycle with emissions of 169g/km (five-seat model).
EU6 emissions compliance has been achieved utilising a range of technologies to ensure outstanding environmental sustainability. These include variable exhaust-valve timing, which enables rapid catalyst heating and robust particulate filter generation. Selective catalytic reduction and cooled low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation also cut NOx emissions.
Internal friction is 17% less compared with the previous-generation turbodiesel engine, boosting efficiency, smoothness and responsiveness. Advanced friction-reducing technologies include roller bearings on cam and balancer shafts, a simplified cam-drive system, variable-flow oil and water pumps, electronically controlled piston-cooling jets, and an offset crankshaft.
Land Rover engineers have paid particular attention to reducing weight while maintaining excellent strength and high levels of refinement. Replacing their predecessor’s iron block, the all-aluminium Ingenium engines are 20-30kg lighter, and stiff cylinder blocks and twin balancer shafts ensure inherently low levels of vibration. Decoupled injectors and 0.5mm ovality on the injection-pump drive-sprocket also contribute to the Ingenium’s exceptional quietness.
Not only are the new Ingenium engines substantially lighter, more fuel-efficient and more refined than previous engines, they’re also more affordable and convenient to own thanks to servicing intervals extended from 16,000 to 21,000** miles on all-wheel drive models with no impact on longevity.
Longer servicing intervals have been achieved by introducing several innovations, including a low-friction piston/bore interface that reduces oil consumption, the use of a very high quality oil featuring state-of-the-art additive packages, and a filtration system that benefits from a significantly cleaner combustion process. Crucially, Discovery Sport’s drastically reduced fuel consumption minimises combustion gasses and therefore the number of small particles that the filtration system must remove from the oil, while improved bore technology also reduces possible contaminates from each cylinder. As a result, the oil filter – and therefore the oil – stays significantly cleaner for longer.
A new Diesel-Exhaust Fluid (DEF) AdBlue™ after-treatment system further enhances environmental sustainability. The system sprays an aqueous urea DEF solution into the exhaust system, neutralising harmful gasses such as nitrogen oxide emissions. Selective catalytic reduction and cooled low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation also cut NOx emissions.
Four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engines
The 2018 model year Discovery Sport also receives Jaguar Land Rover’s new 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engines for the first time. Technologies including an integrated exhaust manifold, 200bar direct injection system and twin-scroll turbocharger are key to the engines’ responsiveness and efficiency.
The engines feature electrohydraulic control of the inlet valves. This cutting-edge technology enables variable valve lift, so load control is managed primarily by the intake valves rather than the throttle. This reduces pumping losses and provides unmatched flexibility and control over airflow into the combustion chambers, improving power and torque, increasing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.
The 240PS Ingenium Petrol engine features turbo ball bearings which provide significant performance improvements to the turbocharger, including transient response and better efficiency when compared to standard journal bearings.
Producing 365Nm, this compact, lightweight and powerful engine ensures the flexibility essential for responsive in-gear acceleration, towing up to 1,800kg and tackling challenging all-terrain conditions. The unit achieves 36.2mpg (7.8l/100km) on the EU combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 181g/km (five-seat).
The 290PS derivative can accelerate from 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in just 6.3 seconds and achieve a top speed of 228km/h (142mph) and still return 34.5mpg and 186g/km (five-seat) of CO2.
All Ingenium engines are available with two and four-wheel drive and a choice of state-of-the-art nine-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmissions.
Advanced nine-speed automatic transmission
Every Discovery Sport is fitted with ZF’s nine-speed automatic transmission; TD4 and Sd4 derivatives are also offered with the six-speed manual transmissions.
A tactile rotary gearshift controller rises silently from the centre console when the ignition is turned on, while paddle shift controls attached to the steering wheel offer complete driver control for dynamic driving, precision off-road manoeuvres and manual gear selection while towing.
Nine closely-stacked gear ratios provide excellent response and allow for a very low first gear, improved mid-range acceleration and a tall ninth gear for reduced engine revs at higher cruising speeds; this reduces fuel consumption, emissions and engine noise.
The torque converter incorporates a multi-stage damper system to ensure the driver can pull away from rest smoothly. Similarly, second gear – approximately equivalent to first gear in transmissions with fewer ratios – is used to move away from a standstill to maximise efficiency and refinement.
Drivers can, however, manually select first gear when dynamic acceleration is required or for additional control in challenging off-road situations.
The transmission’s extremely fast gear changes are below the threshold of perception while a skip-shift function allows the gearbox to downshift directly between gears rather than sequentially cycling through them; this allows the desired gear to be quickly selected during heavier acceleration or braking inputs. Should the driver demand too low a gear, the transmission will remember the request and select the gear once engine revs fall to an appropriately low level.
An innovative adaptive-shifting system quickly matches the transmission’s responses to the driver’s mood. For instance, it selects taller gears more quickly and holds them for longer during relaxed driving, and responds to a more dynamic driving style by holding lower ratios for longer and downshifting more eagerly.
Optional two-wheel drive for exceptional efficiency
Discovery Sport is available in two-wheel drive. This reduces weight and CO2 emissions, and provides the perfect solution for customers who rarely venture off-road. Equipped with the Td4 engine and six-speed manual transmission, two-wheel-drive variants will emit as little as 109g/km CO2*.
Two-wheel-drive Discovery Sport models remain highly competent off-road, thanks to excellent ground clearance, class-leading axle articulation and outstanding approach, departure and breakover angles.
For customers demanding enhanced off-road capability and even more sure-footed and agile handling on the road, a choice of two intelligent four-wheel-drive systems is available.
4. OUTSTANDING CAPABILITY BOTH ON- AND OFF-ROAD
Discovery Sport’s body has been specially refined to cope with challenging off-road terrain, with 211mm of ground clearance and class-leading approach, departure and breakover angles of 23, 31 and 20 degrees respectively. This means the front, middle or rear of the vehicle can climb up, over and down extreme obstacles at low speed. Four-wheel-drive variants can also scale incredibly steep gradients of 45 degrees, as much as 14 degrees more than other competitor SUVs. In extreme situations, lower trim on the front bumper can be removed to increase the approach angle still further.
Combined with excellent axle articulation, long-travel suspension, outstanding all-wheel-drive traction and all-terrain tyres, Discovery Sport provides peerless off-road performance.
Advanced Efficient Driveline four-wheel-drive system
All Discovery Sport derivatives are available with Land Rover’s Efficient Driveline four-wheel-drive system. This intelligent full-time four-wheel-drive system delivers outstanding performance and traction on all surfaces, and continuously varies the torque split front-to-rear. The centre coupling is electronically controlled, allowing it to respond to wheel slip and driver demands far faster than a purely mechanical coupling. This provides excellent off-road capability together with enhanced agility on the road.
Active Driveline four-wheel drive for outstanding on- and off-road capability
Active Driveline is available on Discovery Sport five-seat vehicles. Active Driveline can intelligently switch between two- and four-wheel drive as conditions dictate, combining both the fuel-saving benefits of two-wheel-drive with the all-terrain capability of four-wheel drive. On-road agility also increases with Active Driveline.
Four-wheel-drive is continuously engaged to provide large reserves of traction from a standstill, but a clutch completely disconnects the four-wheel-drive hardware – the propshaft, rear driveshafts, and rear differential and clutches – during normal steady-state driving at speeds above 35km/h (22mph). This greatly reduces friction losses and fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Should the system detect wheel slip or a more dynamic driving style, four-wheel drive is re-engaged within 350 milliseconds.
Two electronically controlled clutches located either side of the rear differential distribute torque to the wheel with most grip as and when required. This improves on-road agility, while the rear axle can be entirely “locked” for maximum traction in very slippery conditions.
Active Driveline’s transition from two- to four-wheel drive is seamless, but drivers can monitor its operation via a dedicated 4x4i screen on the central touchscreen display.
Terrain Response® for effortless all-terrain capability
Terrain Response® maximises Discovery Sport’s performance and safety no matter how challenging the conditions. Easily controlled via an intuitive interface on the centre console, Terrain Response® allows Discovery Sport’s steering, throttle response, gearbox, centre-coupling and braking/stability systems to be precisely tailored to the demands of the terrain. Terrain Response® features four settings: General; Grass/Gravel/Snow (for slippery conditions on- and off-road); Mud and Ruts; and Sand.
Wade Sensing™ removes the uncertainty from crossing deeper water
Discovery Sport can wade through water to a depth of 600mm, an invaluable benefit in off-road situations and when roads are flooded. Relaying information from sensors in the door mirrors, the Wade Sensing™ feature informs the driver of the water depth with a visual display on the vehicle’s touchscreen and an audible tone that increases as the depth rises. The driver can see both the current depth of the water along with how much deeper the car can safely wade; this proves particularly invaluable during poor visibility or when driving at night.
The air intake is positioned high above the wheel arch to ensure no water enters the engine, while a rigorous testing procedure ensures all door seals are watertight. A particularly demanding element of the test has a Discovery Sport parked in deep water, the doors opened and the interior flooded; after 30 minutes, Land Rover engineers then re-enter the vehicle and drive away.
A comprehensive suite of off-road technologies
Alongside Terrain Response® and Wade Sensing™, Discovery Sport also features additional off-road technologies. These include:
• Hill Descent Control® (HDC) maintains a set speed while negotiating steep inclines off-road
• Gradient Release Control® (GRC) progressively releases the brakes when moving away on an incline for maximum control
• Roll Stability Control (RSC) detects the onset of a rollover and applies the brakes to the outer wheels to bring the vehicle under control
• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) corrects oversteer and understeer by reducing engine torque and/or applying brakes to individual wheels
• Electronic Traction Control (ETC) reduces torque and/or applies a braking force to individual wheels to prevent wheelspin
• Engine Drag torque Control (EDC) helps to prevent lock-up under heavy engine braking in slippery conditions by increasing engine torque to the affected wheels
Agile and rewarding handling on the road
Discovery Sport’s chassis with lightweight suspension architecture and advanced chassis technologies has been optimised for dynamic handling and exceptional composure on-road. It is both fun to drive and incredibly comfortable for all occupants. A lightweight bodyshell with excellent torsional rigidity, long wheelbase, and a squat, muscular stance, provides the perfect base; steering response, ride comfort and agility all benefit.
Supple, long-travel suspension is attached to extremely stiff isolated subframes, with large-diameter gas damper struts at the front and all-new advanced multi-link suspension at the rear for a combination of agility, refinement and composure. Body roll is well contained, and body control remains exceptional over even the harshest surface. A high level of suspension compliance ensures the tyres’ contact patches remain in touch with even very rough road surfaces, increasing driver confidence and safety.
Adaptive Dynamics with MagneRide™ dampers can also be specified, bringing even higher levels of occupant comfort and driver engagement. MagneRide™ dampers offer a wide range of adjustment, and adapt to road conditions and driver inputs near instantaneously thanks to a special damping fluid containing magnetic particles. When the particles are subjected to a magnetic field, the viscosity of the damper fluid is either increased or decreased, making the suspension stiffer or softer.
MagneRide™ dampers offer everything from a connected driving experience with minimised body roll and heightened agility, to increased compliance and therefore greater control in off-road environments.
Adaptive Dynamics introduces a driver-selectable Dynamic mode on the Terrain Response® system, increasing throttle, gearbox and differential response, along with suspension and steering firmness for additional driver reward.
Torque Vectoring by Braking (TVbB) monitors dynamic behaviour and operates on all four wheels. Should understeer be detected, TVbB applies a small braking force to the inside front wheels, subtly tightening the car’s line for additional agility and safety.
The electric power-assisted steering system (EPAS) has been tuned for excellent driver feedback on the road, while the steering rack is solidly mounted to the front subframe to further enhance precision.
Variable-ratio steering features on Discovery Sport, with a slower ratio around the centre position for excellent stability at speed, but a faster ratio when additional steering lock is applied to increase agility on twisty roads. The transition from a slower to faster ratio is entirely linear; the driver is simply aware of an extremely responsive steering system.
The steering is light and responsive with additional power assistance at lower speeds for enhanced manoeuvrability, but firmer for a more assured response at speed.
EPAS also removes the need for engine-driven hydraulic steering assistance, reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions through parasitic losses. A further benefit is Park Assist, which helps to identify suitable parallel and perpendicular parking spaces, before automatically steering the vehicle into place.
Discovery Sport is equipped with vented 325mm front and 300mm rear disc brakes, 349mm front for the 240PS Sd4 and 290PS Si4 derivatives, providing reassuring stopping power in all conditions, including when towing up to 2.5 tonnes. The front brakes feature stiff calipers and durable pads to enhance retardation.
Further enhancing safety, Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) automatically increases the amount of brake pressure when the system senses an emergency situation; Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) helps to ensure the perfect braking balance between the front and rear wheels in more extreme situations; and Corner Brake Control (CBC) reduces the likelihood of the driver losing control during heavy braking in a corner.
5. ADVANCED SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES
Discovery Sport has been engineered with the latest active and passive safety advances. A comprehensive occupant safety package including driver and passenger airbags, knee airbags, and side curtain and thorax airbags has naturally been a priority. Innovations include a unique-in-segment pedestrian airbag, and Autonomous Emergency Braking to help avoid or mitigate the consequences of collisions below 80km/h (50mph).
A pedestrian airbag is triggered by advanced pressure-tube sensors mounted between the bumper cover and the bumper beam, which are designed to detect impacts with adult pedestrians. Should any impacts be detected between 24-48km/h (15-30mph), an airbag concealed by a small scuttle panel at the base of the windscreen deploys in no more than 60 milliseconds, drastically reducing the risk of serious pedestrian injury.
The scuttle cover is attached to the airbag using two tethers, and forms part of the airbag system in helping to spread the load evenly across the airbag; thus the driver’s vision is not obscured during deployment and the airbag volume can be reduced to 110 litres. Rigorous testing ensured the airbag does not deploy in extreme off-road situations.
Complementing the pedestrian-protection system, Discovery Sport’s front end, bumpers, bonnet and cowl are developed to minimise potential injuries.
Autonomous Emergency Braking avoids or minimises collision impact
Discovery Sport was the world’s first vehicle to offer an autonomous emergency braking system using an innovative stereo digital camera system. Operational between speeds of 5 and 80km/h (3-50mph), the system helps to avoid collisions below 50km/h (32mph), and reduces the severity of an impact at speeds below 80km/h (50mph).
The system uses stereo cameras mounted next to the rear-view mirror to detect objects that could pose the risk of a collision, such as queuing traffic. If the system deems a collision likely, it will alert the driver with a visual and audible warning. If no action is taken and a collision is judged unavoidable, a further driver warning is triggered while the system applies full braking pressure to bring the vehicle to a stop.
Driver Condition Monitor alerts the driver via visual and audible warnings if it detects signs of drowsiness. The vehicle algorithm, which continuously monitors driver inputs looking for signs of fatigue, helps to ensure safe driving.
Intelligent Speed Limiter helps drivers to keep to the speed limit. The system takes advantage of the Traffic Sign Recognition feature to detect changes to the prevailing limit. When a change occurs, the driver is prompted to accept the new maximum speed limit. Once accepted the vehicle will automatically begin to slow the vehicle to the required speed.
Lane Keep Assist uses the forward-facing camera on the vehicle to detect lane markings. If the driver begins to veer out of their lane without indicating, the vehicle will gently counter-steer to ensure it does not leave its lane unintentionally.
Other driver-assistance systems include:
• Park Assist identifies suitable parallel and perpendicular parking spaces, allowing the driver to operate the accelerator, brake and gears while the vehicle autonomously steers on both entry to and – in the case of parallel parking spaces – exit from the space. Parking sensors offer further assistance
• Automatic High-Beam Assist automatically monitors other vehicles’ head lamps and tail lights, along with ambient lighting in built-up areas. It then controls the vehicle’s high-beam function as conditions dictate
• Lane Departure Warning gently vibrates the steering wheel to warn a driver who may be unintentionally drifting out of a lane
• Traffic Sign Recognition monitors road signs and displays a reminder of the speed limit or overtaking regulations on the satellite-navigation screen
• Trailer Stability Assist detects trailer instability and brakes individual wheels to help the driver correct a potentially hazardous situation
• Tow Assist and Tow Hitch Assist utilise a camera system to help the driver both hitch a trailer and predict its trajectory while reversing
• Blind-Spot Monitor & Closing Vehicle Sensing detect vehicles that are either in the driver’s blind spot or are approaching quickly and could pose a danger during a lane-change. An orange warning light appears in the relevant side mirror to warn the driver
• Automatic headlamps and rain-sensitive wipers activate autonomously according to conditions
6. INFOTAINMENT AND CONVENIENCE FEATURES
Discovery Sport optimises in-car connectivity thanks to the company’s infotainment system, Touch Pro, providing fast responses and intuitive operation. Introduced to the nameplate in 2016, it is available as an option on S and SE models and standard from HSE upwards. The display is delivered via a high-definition, capacitive 10-inch touchscreen.
The touchscreen behaves like a smartphone, the home screen can be customised: wallpaper can be set to any image, and widgets can be added to provide shortcuts to favourite features. And the touchscreen accepts the ‘pinch to zoom’ gestures familiar to all smartphone users, all displayed in the clear 21:9 super-wide format with 1280×542 pixel resolution.
Satellite navigation benefits from dead-reckoning functionality that accurately positions the vehicle even when GPS signals can no longer be received.
Utilising a data connection enables even greater functionality and location-based features. Even before the journey starts, customers can choose their route and send it to their vehicle from their smartphone thanks to InControl Connect Pro. Door-to-door route planning and guidance incorporating public transport options are also available. Commute Mode learns your daily drive so that it can automatically offer alternative routes to avoid congestion using real-time traffic information, and Arrival Mode shows a 360-degree interactive view of your destination when you’re 200m away, as well as suggesting the nearest available car parking spaces.
Other advanced satellite-navigation features include:
• Traffic Congestion View
• Live traffic announcements
• Historical traffic data
• Lane guidance icons
• Customer updatable maps
• Traffic sign display at motorway junctions
An advanced optional infotainment system includes HDD satellite navigation, dual-view functionality – allowing the driver to see only satellite-navigation information, for instance, while the passenger watches a DVD on the same screen – and a rear-seat entertainment system.
Users can then swipe to two further screens, providing access to a wider range of features, including Wi-Fi hotspot, parking cameras, Eco Data, Wade Sensing and rear-seat climate-control settings.
Voice Recognition and SMS text functionality is also combined with the satellite-navigation system. This enables one-shot voice destination entry and allows the customer to make a phone call or select a radio station simply by voice command.
The original InControl Touch system is available as standard, displayed through an eight-inch touchscreen flanked by hard buttons for further usability.
In-car connectivity with InControl Apps
InControl Apps can be specified with both infotainment systems, as part of the optional InControl Connect Plus Pack, and allows the user to connect an Apple or Android smartphone to the vehicle’s dedicated USB port and access well known apps optimised for in-car use via the touchscreen.
A suite of InControl™ technologies is also available, including:
• Wi-Fi Hotspot, which allows up to eight devices to be connected to a 4G hotspot providing occupants with internet access
• InControl™ Protect allows owners to summon roadside assistance or the emergency services, and an SOS signal is automatically triggered in the event of airbag deployment
• InControl™ Secure displays vehicle status information via a smartphone app. Owners can check if the vehicle is locked or unlocked, and remotely lock the doors if required; remotely activate the lights and horn to aid vehicle location; pre-heat or cool the interior prior to a journey; track the vehicle should it be stolen, and automatically alert the owner with an SMS text message
Bluetooth® functionality allows up to two phones to be synced to the infotainment system simultaneously: one to make or receive hands-free phone calls via multi-function steering wheel controls, the other to play audio, including streamed music from app-based services such as Spotify. Alternatively, smartphones and portable MP3 players can be synced and charged via USB sockets or auxiliary inputs.
Touch Pro’s state-of-the art capability is delivered through a combination of a super-fast access 60GB Solid State Drive (SSD), which is around 100 per cent faster than a typical hard disc drive (HDD) and is the first automotive use of Intel’s high-performance Quad-Core computing and graphics processor.
Land Rover InControlTM Apps – the ultimate for in-car connectivity
Developed in conjunction with Bosch SoftTec, InControl Apps puts Land Rover at the forefront of in-car connectivity, and is compatible with the latest Apple and Android smartphones.
By connecting a smartphone to the dedicated USB port, well known smartphone apps optimised for in-vehicle use will function on Discovery Sport’s touchscreen, retaining their original look and feel. The latest content becomes available every time the apps update.
A productivity suite enables easy access to the connected smartphone’s contacts, calendar and music library, while a maps app includes maps and satellite views overlaid with the vehicle location.
Land Rover and Bosch SoftTec have worked in conjunction with some of the world’s leading smartphone app developers that are perfectly suited for in-car use, such as satellite navigation, music streaming, internet radio and location services. Compatible apps include Spotify, Tile, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Glympse, Sygic, Parkopedia, Hotelseeker, Cityseeker, Eventseeker, Airmotion News, Winston and MobileDay, with the range being continually expanded.
When InControl Apps is selected as a customer option, the owner must download Land Rover InControl Apps to their smartphone from either the Apple App Store (for iPhone 5/5S/5C and onwards) or Google Play (Android). Once the phone is connected to the vehicle’s dedicated USB port, the owner simply taps the InControl Apps icon on the central touchscreen and selects the desired vehicle-compatible app from the menu.
Land Rover InControl Apps is the latest addition to Land Rover’s suite of InControl connected-car technologies. InControl Remote allows owners to summon roadside assistance or the emergency services if required, while an SOS signal is triggered automatically should the airbags be deployed in an accident. The InControl Remote smartphone app allows owners to prepare for a trip by checking fuel levels and range remotely, find their vehicle in a crowded car park and check if they have left doors or windows open. They can also download journey details to assist in claiming business mileage expenses.
InControl Secure tracks the vehicle should it be stolen, while the Secure Tracking System will automatically trigger an SMS text message to alert the owner. InControl Wi-Fi provides in-car access to a 4G hotspot, enabling up to eight electronic devices to be simultaneously connected.
* Manufacturer’s estimate
** Market and engine dependent
† Market dependent