Manufacturer Land Rover Designer Gerry McGovern Body style 5-door SUV | Production 2014-present Class Compact SUV | |
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Assembly Halewood Body & Assembly, Liverpool, England
Changsu, China | ||
The Land Rover Discovery Sport (codename L550) is a premium compact SUV produced by British manufacturer Land Rover. It replaces the Land Rover Freelander in a revised Land Rover range of vehicles, with Discovery joining Range Rover as a sub-brand. The new Discovery sub-brand, to be focused on leisure vehicles, will feature two models initially, the compact Discovery Sport and the larger Discovery (sold as the LR4 in North America).
Contents
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 Discovery Sport is based on the Land Rover LR-MS platform, a heavily modified variant of the Ford EUCD platform customised for off-road applications, and is powered by a range of four cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The Discovery Sport is available in five and seven seat layouts, reflecting the desire for Discovery models to appeal to family buyers.
Conception
The Discovery Sport represents the third generation of compact SUV produced by Land Rover. The first generation, the Freelander, was introduced by Land Rover in 1997 following a study that revealed market demand for an SUV smaller than the Discovery and Range Rover models. The original Freelander was developed during the period when Land Rover formed part of the Rover Group, and used engines, transmissions and other components from other Rover Group and BMW models, including the K-series petrol engines and L-Series diesel engines. The BMW M47 diesel engine replaced the L-Series diesel engine in 2001, following its adaptation to suit transverse applications and off-road use.
The Freelander 2, sold as the LR2 in North America, was introduced in 2006 during Ford's ownership of Land Rover. The second generation Freelander was built on the Ford EUCD platform, using a Ford Duratorq four cylinder diesel engine, and initially the Volvo B6324S six cylinder petrol engine. The six cylinder petrol engine was replaced for the 2013 model year by a more economical Ford EcoBoost four cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. The Ford petrol and diesel four cylinder engines were carried over for the Discovery Sport's first model year.
The Discovery sub-brand was introduced during early 2014, with confirmation that the replacement for the Freelander 2 would be branded as the Discovery Sport worldwide. The design direction for the Discovery family was previewed at the 2014 New York International Auto Show, with Land Rover showing their Discovery Vision concept vehicle. The sub-brand will be used in the same way as Range Rover, but will be used on leisure and family orientated models, with Range Rover models focusing on the luxury market segment. It is expected the Discovery brand will expand to include three models, a full size SUV, a compact SUV and a sub-compact or crossover SUV.
The Discovery Sport shares several design cues with the larger Discovery Vision concept, though the concept vehicle is closer in size to the current Discovery 4 model.
Production
The Discovery Sport went on sale during September 2014, with first deliveries in early 2015.
Engines
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 243 PS (179 kW; 240 hp) (the only engine option for North America) and the Ford Duratorq four cylinder 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine, producing either 150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp) or 190 PS (140 kW; 190 hp).
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. The family is produced in both petrol and diesel variants, and could also be produced in 3, 5 and 6 cylinder options in future, depending on demand and requirements. The range was designed from the outset to accommodate different hybrid power systems, and it is expected that there will be a plug-in hybrid variant.
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 150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp) 2.0-litre four cylinder turbocharged diesel engine in a front wheel drive only configuration. This model is planned to have CO2 emissions of 119 g/km and fuel economy of up to 24.2 km/L (68 mpg‑imp; 57 mpg‑US).
The engines in the Discovery Sport are mounted transversely, which creates additional interior space.
Transmission
The Discovery Sport is manufactured with either a 9–speed ZF 9-HP automatic gearbox or a 6–speed Getrag M66EH50 manual gearbox, both of which are also available on the Range Rover Evoque.
Two different all-wheel drive systems are available. The standard system is the Haldex Traction fifth generation system from BorgWarner. Optional is the new Land Rover Active Driveline system, which is manufactured by GKN Driveline and reduces parasitic load by 75% when compared with the Haldex system in an effort to increase economy and reduce CO2 emissions. 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.
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.
The Discovery Sport will 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. This version will be the most fuel efficient and least polluting model in the range, and together with the more fuel efficient Jaguar XE models, will assist Jaguar Land Rover in meeting European Union emissions directives.
Exterior
The Discovery Sport was styled by Gerry McGovern, who was responsible for the design of the original Freelander model. McGovern left Land Rover for Ford in 1999, before returning as Director of Advanced Design in 2004. 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.
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. A powered tailgate can also be specified as an option, featuring remote control operation.
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.
Chassis
The Discovery Sport is of unibody construction, unlike the larger full size Discovery model which features a traditional body-on-frame. 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.
The Discovery Sport includes further changes to the platform in comparison with the Evoque, with a new compact 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. 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.
Off-road performance remains broadly similar to the Freelander 2 model, ground clearance is 212 millimetres (8.3 in), the same as the Freelander 2 and wading depth is 600 millimetres (2.0 ft), an improvement of 100 millimetres (3.9 in). 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.
The braking system comprises disc brakes all round, with 325 millimetres (12.8 in) discs at the front and 300 millimetres (12 in) at the rear, the brakes are servo assisted and an anti-lock braking system (ABS) is fitted. 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. 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.
Electric power steering is fitted, with 2.43 turns lock to lock and a turning circle of 11.86 metres (38.9 ft). The electric power steering system allows the Discovery Sport to feature an automatic parking system.
The Discovery Sport will initially be sold with alloy wheels ranging from 18 inches (460 mm) to 20 inches (510 mm) 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 trunk, or if the 5+2 seating option is fitted it will be a 'space-saver' spare wheel mounted on the underside of the car, directly under the boot. It is 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 is supplied instead.
Interior
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. 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. 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. They fold flat into the floor of the trunk when not in use. Isofix mounting points for child safety seats are fitted as standard.
The central console features an 8 inches (20 cm) touch screen allowing access to in car entertainment, satellite navigation and vehicle settings. The system, shared with the Jaguar XE, allows smartphone connectivity and some models will allow the owner to control the vehicle remotely, pre-heating the interior or unlocking the car using a smartphone application.
Production
The Discovery Sport is manufactured at the Jaguar Land Rover Halewood Body & Assembly facility, in Halewood, Liverpool, United Kingdom, alongside the Range Rover Evoque.
Engines supplied by Ford are manufactured at two sites - the Duratorq diesel engine is manufactured at the Ford Dagenham plant in the United Kingdom, the Ecoboost petrol engine is manufactured at the Ford Valencia Plant in Spain. The Jaguar Land Rover Ingenium engines, which will replace the Ford sourced engines later in 2015, will be manufactured at Jaguar Land Rover's Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.
Transmissions for the Discovery Sport will be manufactured by ZF at their Gray Court, South Carolina facility, and by Getrag Ford Transmissions at their Cologne, Germany plant. Four wheel drive components are manufactured by Haldex in Landskrona, Sweden or by GKN in Köping, Sweden and Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Worldwide Sales
In 2016 it became the best selling Land Rover model.