Land Rover Discovery Sport Launched at Rs. 46.10 lakh

The new Land Rover Discovery Sport has been launched in India. Prices for the new Land Rover range between Rs. 46.10 lakh to Rs. 62.18 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai). Power comes from the 2.2 litre turbo diesel mill serving in the Evoque and XF, the engine is mated to a 9-speed autobox. The Discovery Sport is offered as standard with the company's brilliant Terrain Response four-wheel drive system.

[caption id="attachment_56057" align="alignleft" width="642"] Land Rover Discovery Sport[/caption]

As far as SUVs go, the Land Rover badge works quite unlike any other and becomes the default choice of any off-road enthusiast in their respective price brackets. While the Freelander 2 sold quite well in India, it was getting a bit long in the tooth.

Worry not though as Land Rover’s replacement model for the Freelander 2 is here now in the form of the brand new Discovery Sport that takes over as the most affordable Land Rover model in India.

Contrary to its ‘Discovery’ badge, this car has nothing to do with the full sized Land Rover Discovery model. This one is a much smaller SUV that is better suited to urban confines. Although, there is nothing small about its interiors as the new Discovery Sport is capable of seating seven people as it can be specified with third row seats.

[caption id="attachment_56059" align="alignleft" width="642"] Land Rover Discovery Sport interior[/caption]

Built from the ground up on Land Rover’s heavily modified LR-MS platform that was sourced from Ford, the Discovery Sport features a monocoque chassis. Up front, the new Land Rover Discovery Sport features McPherson strut suspension (shared with the Evoque) while there is a multi-link layout at the back. The top of the line HSE Luxury SD4 variant comes fitted with MagnaRide adaptive dampers. The SUV has a ground clearance of 212mm, wading depth of 600mm, 25 degree approach angle, 21 degree ramp angle and 31 degree departure angle.

[caption id="attachment_56058" align="alignleft" width="642"] Land Rover Discovery Sport side profile[/caption]

Internationally, the Land Rover Discovery Sport is available with a range of 2.0 litre petrol and diesel engines which include Jaguar Land Rover’s new range of Ingenium four cylinder, turbocharged 2.0 litre petrol and diesel engines. However, here in India, the Discovery Sport will be powered by the 2.2 litre, four cylinder, turbo diesel engine which powered the Freelander 2 and continues to power the Jaguar XF sedan and the Range Rover Evoque.

The state of tune of the 2.2 litre, four cylinder, turbo diesel engine in the new Land Rover Discovery Sport also remains identical to that of the Freelander 2. The engine in the SD4 model has a max power output of 187.7 bhp @ 3,500 rpm and 420Nm of peak torque @ 1,750 rpm. In TD4 spec, the engine develops 147.5 bhp @ 4,000 rpm and 400Nm @ 1,750 rpm. The engine is mated to ZF’s nine-speed automatic gearbox. Thanks largely also to the new gearbox, the TD4 models return an ARAI rated fuel efficiency of 12.63 km/l while the more powerful SD4 model returns an even higher 12.97 km/l.

The India spec Discovery Sport is offered with four-wheel drive as standard and of course features Land Rover’s brilliant Terrain Response system along with a hill descent system.

Active safety features aboard the car include front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, dynamic stability programme and roll stability programme.

[caption id="attachment_56060" align="alignleft" width="642"] Land Rover Discovery Sport infotainment screen[/caption]

Inside, the new Discovery Sport comes fitted with an 8 inch touch screen infotainment system. Other equipment includes electro chromic rear view mirrors, sun roof, climate control, parking sensors, rear parking camera, park assist, leather upholstery, climate control, etc. The second row seats can slide and recline.

Prices for the new Land Rover Discovery Sport range between Rs. 46.10 to Rs. 62.18 (ex-showroom Mumbai). The new Discovery Sport competes against the likes of the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and the Volvo XC 60.

Land Rover Discovery Sport variant wise prices :-

S TD4  (5 seater)                    Rs. 46.10 lakh

SE TD4 (5 seater)                  Rs. 51.01 lakh

SE TD4 (7 seater)                   Rs. 52.50 lakh

HSE TD4 (5 seater)                Rs. 53.34 lakh

HSE TD4 (7 seater)                Rs. 54.83 lakh

HSE Luxury SD4 (5 seater)   Rs. 60.70 lakh

HSE Luxury SD4 (7 seater)   Rs. 62.18 lakh

All prices are indicative of ex-showroom Mumbai

Read our review of the new Land Rover Discovery Sport here -> Land Rover Discovery Sport : First Drive