2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport launched at Rs 57.06 lakh
Just a couple of weeks after Land Rover launched the new Evoque, the brand has now driven in their second offering, the new Discovery Sport at Rs 57.06 lakh for the S trim and Rs 60 .89 lakh for the R-Dynamic SE trim. These are the prices for the diesel variants and the prices for the petrol variants will be announced separately.
New platform
All Land Rover SUVs will be based on the new Premium Transverse Architecture that according to the company delivers better handling and is capable of accommodating electrified powertrains. It also helps reduce emissions and fuel consumption. The new body is 13 per cent stiffer than the outgoing Disco improving safety and NVH levels inside the cabin.
Design
The new Discovery Sport retains its trademark design cues including the clam-shell bonnet, rising belt-line and a tapered roof. The proportions are similar too. However, the LED headlamps, DRLs and tail lamps are new alongside the redesigned grille and bumpers adding a pinch of modern styling to what was an already stylish SUV.
Interior
The cabin retains the 5+2 seating configuration but the cabin now looks superior with the addition of the 10-inch Touch Pro infotainment system. There’s Android Auto and Apple CarPlay along with a host of connected car systems that let you lock, unlock , locate the vehicle and track journeys using a smartwatch or a smartphone. The 12.3-inch instrument cluster is now fully digital and is capable of displaying navigation, phone and media information. There’s also JLR’s ClearSight camera that provides better road visibility, wireless charger, 4G Wifi hotspot and Meridian sound system among others.
Powertrain
The Discovery will be propelled by 2.0-litre BS6 petrol and diesel engines. The D180 diesel variant is capable of churning 177bhp and 430Nm of torque and is mated to a 9-Speed automatic transmission. It can do a 0-100kmph sprint in 10.1 seconds and achieve a top speed of 188kmph. The P250 MHEV petrol variant on the other hand is the more sprightly of the two. It features JLR’s 48V mild hybrid system that's works in tandem with the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, making 245bhp and 365Nm of torque. The electric motor can take over at speeds below 17kmph and can provide torque assist of upto 140Nm. The P250 is capable of reaching 100kmph in just 7.8 seconds and has a top whack of 200kmph.
Off-roading bells and whistles
The new Discovery Sport stays true to its off-roading genes. It gets the latest iteration of the Terrain Response 2 System that works in tandem with the AWD system and hill descent control to tackle rough terrain with poise. It also has a ‘TVBB’ (Torque vectoring by braking) system that brakes the inner wheels in corners, sending more torque to the wheels with more grip. Wading depth stands at a massive 600mm.
The new Land Rover Discovery Sport locks horns with the likes of Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3 which start at Rs 50.21 lakh, Rs 52.75 lakh and Rs 56 lakh respectively. However, not all its rivals (except the GLC) have been launched with BS6 engines and their prices will likely go up in the coming months. The Discovery Sport leads the pack when it comes to off-road capability and seating capacity and a detailed review will be out in a few weeks. Stay tuned.
