Land Rover has introduced the all-new 2015 Discovery Sport which acts as a replacement for the outgoing Freelander. Its design is heavily influenced by the Evoque and encompasses LED fog lights, a slender two-bar front grille as well as a rakish C-pillar. We also notice the inclusion of vented front fenders, an acoustic laminated windshield, front & rear skid plates while upper-spec models get xenon headlights with built-in LED daytime running lights. Inside the cabin there are glossy black accents combined with a metallic trim and analog gauges.
The Discovery Sport comes nicely equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen display for the infotainment system while the second row of seats has a 60:40 split and can recline and slide rearward by as much as 6.3 inches to grant a massive 39.8-inch of rear legroom. A third row of seats will be optionally available and whenever it’s not necessary it can be folded into the floor. Among the goodies that will be offered we mention a ten-speaker sound system, a dual-zone automatic climate control system and leather upholstery.
Depending on region, engine choices will include a 4-cylinder 2.0-liter turbo with 240 bhp and 250 lb-ft for the US market where it will be teamed up with a 9-speed automatic gearbox and an AWD system. Europeans will also get a 2.2-liter SD4 turbodiesel with 190 PS working with a 6-speed manual and the AWD system.
Launching early next year, the Discovery Sport will carry a starting price in United States of $37,995. Land Rover says this is still a proper off-roader thanks to an 8.3-inch ground clearance, 25-degree approach, 31-degree departure and 21-degree breakover angles. In addition, the Discovery Sport is also capable of climbing gradients of up to 45 degrees.
Source: Land Rover
