Land Rover has revealed new details on the upcoming Discovery Sport – just a day before showing it to the press at the Paris Motor Show.
The premium midsize SUV marks the addition of a new branch on the Land Rover family tree that already includes Range Rovers and Defenders. Each of these lineups has its own distinct lineage, identity and design, said design director Gerry McGovern. These will grow as Land Rover introduces new members – like any family.
The Discovery Sport aims to be no more than 4.6 metres long, providing seating for up to seven passengers along with improved fuel efficiency, more luxury, increased load capacity and room for a spare tire in the cargo area, McGovern pointed out.
This was a tall order as the idea for more space, but in a smaller vehicle, seemed to be conflicting. The designers and engineers used the front half of the Range Rover Evoque as a starting point. They scrapped the rear end, but managed to develop a 5+2 seating arrangement with two flip-up seats in the far back, that fold flat for extra cargo capacity gains.
The exterior design was also well thought out in an effort to improve efficiency, McGovern said. The body was shaped for wind-cheating efficiency, and even water channeling efficiency when it rains. The Discovery Sport also gets an aluminum hood, roof and tailgate, which saves 53 pounds of curb weight.
North American buyers will get only one powertrain option, which is a 2.0-litre gasoline-powered engine.
Technology will be sophisticated enough to include Land Rover’s InControl infotainment system as a standard feature.
The Discovery Sport is expected to hit North American shores in the first quarter of next year.
