An Archive for Fanatics of Land Rovers
An Archive for Fanatics of Land Rovers
Discovery Sport's progressive design sets the tone for a new generation of Land Rover Discovery premium SUVs. These vehicles will be positioned in the Leisure family of Land Rover's three-pillar brand architecture: Luxury (Range Rover), Leisure (Discovery) and Dual-Purpose (Defender).
Discovery Sport's striking interior architecture offers high levels of superior quality materials. This is complemented by a high level of versatility with 5+2 seating and elegantly integrated stowage areas. "Every Land Rover must have design leadership and outstanding all-terrain capability," said Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Design Director and Chief Creative Officer. "For the Discovery family of vehicles, the key differentiator is versatility. Our challenge has been to combine premium design with exceptional versatility; the two attributes must work in harmony. I'm proud to say we've achieved that; Discovery Sport's dynamic design will resonate on an emotional level with consumers, and this vehicle is more versatile than any other premium compact SUV."
At 4590mm long, Discovery Sport's compact footprint is 239mm shorter than the seven-seat Land Rover Discovery - which also remains on sale - while its generous wheelbase of 2741mm creates exceptional legroom. This has also allowed Land Rover designers to pull the alloy wheels out towards all four corners of the vehicle. The result is a visually robust, compact stance and low centre of gravity that's suggestive of Discovery Sport's agile, planted driving experience. Sleek, wraparound corners further reduce visual bulk of the front overhang.
Discovery Sport customers can choose from 12 exterior colourways: Fuji White, Santorini Black, Corris Grey, Indus Silver, Loire Blue, Scotia Grey, Aintree Green, Kaikoura Stone, Firenze Red, Yulong White, Barolo Black and Phoenix Orange.
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. To achieve 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.
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 can pay maximum attention to the road. Its highly configurable 5+2 seating is unique-in-segment.The interior is an inclusive and 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 2741mm, 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. It also provides as much as 112mm of knee-room and 1011mm of leg-room - almost as accommodating as a Range Rover. Alternatively, load capacity can be increased as desired from 829 litres to as much as 981 litres with row-two seats in place. Row-two seating is naturally specified with Isofix anchor points for child car seats. The anchor points are easily accessed by quickly 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, increasing both safety and convenience.
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, for instance, 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.
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 unique-in-segment twin-needle-stitched leather on the upper reaches 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 8-inch touch screen.
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 the all-new Ingenium diesel engine. 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 6800 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.
"Engineering innovation is key to Discovery Sport's outstanding versatility," said Murray Dietsch, Director, Land Rover Programmes. "The all-new multi-link rear axle in particular has proved crucial, allowing Land Rover to introduce 5+2 seating to a whole new segment while also offering best-in-class off-road performance and outstanding levels of agility."
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. Strong, stiff and light: introducing the Discovery Sport's bodyshell. The vehicle bodyshell has been optimised using the latest state-of-the-art 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 new 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 integral multi-link rear axle debuts for numerous benefits. These include exceptional on-road agility, class-leading wheel travel and axle articulation - at 340mm, up to 60mm more than competitors - 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 all-new 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.
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. The new Ingenium engine delivers CO2 emissions from 129g/km and up to 57.7mpg (4.9 l/100km) fuel economy. State-of-the-art 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.
The 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium diesel engine is designed to deliver impressive torque and power outputs, combined with excellent refinement, reduced CO2 emissions and lower fuel consumption. The Discovery Sport's EU6 compliant Ingenium engine will be available with two power outputs - 150PS and 180PS - delivering fuel economy of up to 57.7mpg (4.9l/100km) and CO2 emissions from 129g/km. The powerful 180PS engine has a top speed of 117 mph (188 km/h) and can accelerate from 0 - 100km/h in just 8.9 seconds*. The new aluminum TD4 engine features lightweight construction, with stiff cylinder blocks and decoupled injectors, which ensures low levels of vibration and noise intrusion, further enhancing the driver experience. A series of advanced technologies reduce internal friction, improve refinement and enhance overall performance. In addition, Selective Catalytic Reduction and a new low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation system significantly reduce both CO2 and NOx emissions. The Ingenium-powered Discovery Sport will also be designated an 'E-Capability' vehicle, with a blue 'Sport' badge highlighting the most efficient variant. E-Capability will apply to five-seat models fitted with either the 150PS or 180PS Ingenium engine, with 18-inch wheels and low rolling resistance tyres. Additionally, the final drive gearing and engine calibrations have been optimised to provide the lowest possible CO2 for the vehicle. Extended service intervals on the new Ingenium engine lowers running costs over the vehicle's lifetime.
Efficient and powerful turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine
The Si4 2.0-litre petrol engine features an advanced low-inertia turbocharger, high-pressure direct fuel injection and variable valve timing to deliver exceptional driveability throughout the rev range. Twin balancer shafts ensure high levels of refinement. Producing a potent 240PS at 5500rpm and 340Nm spread from just 1800 to 4000rpm, together with 35.2mpg and 191g/km CO2, the all-alloy engine combines six-cylinder levels of performance and in-gear flexibility in a far more compact, lighter package. Crucially, the Si4 engine is typically 20 per cent more fuel efficient than larger engines producing equivalent power. The downsized engine features several fuel-saving innovations: a sheet-metal exhaust manifold warms up the engine faster, reducing emissions during short journeys; specially treated piston rings and tappets minimise friction for optimised efficiency and an advanced electronic management system provides precision control over the combustion process.
Nine-speed automatic transmission.
All Si4 petrol Discovery Sports are fitted with the state-of-the-art ZF 9HP48 nine-speed automatic transmission; TD4 Ingenium and SD4 derivatives are offered with a choice of six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmissions. Both are supplied with low-viscosity transmission fluid to increase efficiency.
The ZF-developed nine-speed automatic transmission is just 6mm longer and weighs 7.5kg less than Land Rover's previous six-speed automatic transmission, despite an additional three ratios. A tactile rotary gearshift controller rises silently from the centre console when the ignition is turned on, while paddleshift 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 very 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.
Revised six-speed manual transmission
Both TD4 Ingenium and SD4 Discovery Sport derivatives can be specified with either a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission. The Getrag M66 six-speed manual gearbox features optimised internals to reduce friction and increase efficiency. Land Rover engineers have optimised the gear shifter's position for additional ease of use, while the previous centre-pivot design has been replaced with a new lower-pivot-design and revised linkage. These changes improve tactility and driver interaction.
Thousands of hours have been invested in tackling the challenging Big Red sand dunes in Dubai, driving through deep snow and over icy lakes in Sweden, and the deep mud and clay and steep inclines of Land Rover's Eastnor Castle off-road facility in the UK. The result is the most capable vehicle in its class. Discovery Sport has also been optimised to provide excellent refinement, comfort and handling on the road, with exhaustive tests on everything from British B-roads to the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The new multi-link rear axle, for instance, ensures exceptional refinement and agility, while the suspension compliance that's key to the Discovery Sport's off-road composure also makes for unruffled but rewarding progress on the road.
Discovery Sport's body has been specially optimised to cope with challenging off-road terrain, with 212mm of ground clearance and class-leading approach, departure and breakover angles of 25, 31 and 21 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.
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 latest Haldex centre coupling is now 4kg lighter, and 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 is available on selected diesel models. A revolutionary on-demand driveline technology, 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 22mph. This greatly reduces friction losses and hence 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 8-inch touchscreen display.
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. Optimised for enthusiastic on-road driving, Dynamic mode is optionally available when Adaptive Dynamics MagneRide™ dampers are specified.
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 8-inch 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 part of the testing process called for the Discovery Sport to be parked in deep water, the doors opened and the interior flooded; after 30 minutes, Land Rover engineers were able to drive away.
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
Discovery Sport's state-of-the-art 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.
"The characteristics that make Discovery Sport so versatile off-road also make it a genuinely accomplished vehicle on-road," said Mike Cross, Land Rover Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integrity. "The new multi-link rear axle provides incredible agility, while the vehicle's composure not only helps on rough terrain, it also results in a controlled fluidity over British B-roads. It gives a keen driver more confidence, and all occupants a high level of comfort." 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 an even more connected driving experience with minimised body roll and heightened agility, to increased compliance and therefore 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 (TVB) monitors dynamic behaviour and operates on all four wheels. Should understeer be detected, TVB applies a small braking force to the outside 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, providing reassuring stopping power in all conditions, including when towing up to 2.5 tonnes. The front brakes are of a new design, with a stiffer caliper and new-generation pads to enhance retardation. They also offer improved refinement and reduced brake dust. 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.
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).
Technological innovation extends to Discovery Sport's all-new infotainment system, with voice-controlled satellite-navigation, WiFi hotspot connectivity and bespoke all-terrain modes. Buyers can opt for Land Rover's InControl™ technology, including InControl Apps. This puts Land Rover at the cutting-edge of in-car connectivity, bringing the convenience and original look and feel of smartphone apps to the vehicle's 8-inch touchscreen. Head Up Display (HUD) also debuts.
Head Up Display (HUD) debuts on the Land Rover Discovery Sport. This advanced laser technology projects key driving data onto a compact area of the windscreen in the driver's line of sight, allowing the driver to safely access information while keeping their eyes on the road at all times.Data includes road speed, gear position (when the driver has selected Commandshift® manual mode), satellite-navigation directions and traffic-sign recognition.
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