Land Rover Discovery Sport petrol launched at Rs 56.50 lakh

Land Rover Discovery Sport petrol variant launched; only available in HSE trim.

Jaguar Land Rover has introduced a petrol variant of the Discovery Sport in India, carrying a price tag of Rs 56.50 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). Available only in HSE trim, the new variant gets a 2.0-litre petrol powertrain. Thus far the SUV was only offered with TD4 and SD4 diesel engines, albeit in 4 trim levels.

Land Rover launched the Discovery Sport last year but only with diesel powertrains on offer. However, the recent ban on diesel vehicles in Delhi/NCR and the narrowing gap between petrol and diesel prices might have a role in deciding the launch of a petrol derivative now.

The Discovery Sport is the company’s most affordable SUV in the country. And since it comes in a 5+2 layout it’s also one of the practical offerings from the group in India. The petrol engine in the Discovery Sport is the same unit that comes with the Jaguar XE 25t -which develops 237bhp of maximum power and 340Nm of peak torque. Unlike the XE though, power is transferred via a 9-speed automatic gearbox in the SUV as opposed to an 8-speed auto. Power is sent to all wheels and the Discovery Sport can clock 0-100km/h in 8.2 seconds.

Land Rover claims that the new petrol version will be as good off-road as any of its diesel siblings.  And so, it also comes with a raft of off-road aids like - All Terrain Capability, Hill Descent Control (HDC), Roll Stability Control (RSC), Electronic Traction Control (ETC) and Dynamic Stability Control (DCS). In terms of features it’s decently equipped as well since it comes with panoramic sunroof, adaptive xenon headlamps, etc.

Commenting on the launch of the new variant, Rohit Suri, President, Jaguar Land Rover India, said, "We are excited to introduce the petrol derivative of the Land Rover Discovery Sport. This will help us broaden the appeal of this fabulous premium versatile SUV for customers who are more inclined towards driving a vehicle with a powerful petrol engine at its heart along with Land Rover's legendary off-road capability and reliability - a perfect combination of performance, capability and composure."

The Discovery Sport competes with the likes of the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and the recently launched Mercedes-Benz GLC. Considering that neither the Q5 nor the X3 is available with a petrol variant, the Discovery Sport petrol will primarily be going against the GLC in India.

Also read: 2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport Test Drive