Land Rover has revealed the new Discovery Sport, the world’s most versatile and capable premium compact SUV. The first member of the new Discovery family, Discovery Sport, features 5+2 seating in a footprint no larger than existing 5-seat premium SUVs.
Discovery Sport’s progressive new design approach defines the new Discovery family with optimised volume, proportions and stance. Its design leadership combines with engineering integrity to result in a dynamic profile, the ultimate use of interior space and 5+2 seating configurability.
“Our challenge has been to combine premium design with exceptional versatility; the two attributes must work in harmony,” said Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Design Director and Chief Creative Officer. “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 on the market.”
Land Rover digitally revealed the new Discovery Sport at Spaceport America in New Mexico, USA, also launching the Land Rover Galactic Discovery competition. Four friends are set to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to space with Land Rover’s global partner, Virgin Galactic as part of an innovative digital competition at www.landrover.com/gotospace.
This spirit of adventure is reflected in Discovery Sport’s interior, which has been designed with customers at its core. It features high-quality materials and a strong vertical centre console graphic to reflect the premium design of the exterior, while the core Discovery value of versatility is evident everywhere. Storage solutions are integrated into the cabin and up to four 12V power points and six USB charging sockets can be specified for all three rows of seating, allowing multiple electronic devices to be charged simultaneously.
A host of innovations have allowed Discovery Sport to introduce the versatility of 5+2 seating into the premium compact SUV class for the first time. An all-new multi-link rear axle not only provides engaging driving dynamics but it also provides ample and flexible cabin space behind the second row.
Coupled with supple long-travel suspension, the innovative rear axle also ensures the Discovery Sport is comfortable, refined and rewarding to drive on-road, while retaining the breadth of all-terrain capability for which Land Rover is world-renowned. In fact, with approach, departure and breakover angles of 25, 31 and 21 degrees respectively, Terrain Response® technology, and the ability to wade to 600mm, Discovery Sport offers class-leading capability in all conditions.
As with every new Land Rover, safety has been a key priority in the development of the new Discovery Sport, resulting in a first-in-class pedestrian airbag, autonomous emergency braking, and a state-of-the-art bodyshell featuring both ultra-high-strength steel and lightweight aluminium.
This represents a fraction of the advanced equipment available in Discovery Sport, which also includes Head-Up Display, an all-new 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and tilt-and-slide row-two seating for maximum interior configurability.
At launch the Discovery Sport will be equipped with a range of four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. Both the all-alloy Si4 2.0-litre petrol engine and the 2.2-litre turbodiesel feature stop-start technology, high-pressure direct injection, low-friction internal components and smart regenerative charging for outstanding performance and economy.
Later in 2015, a highly efficient ED4 turbodiesel engine will join the range with CO2 emissions of just 119g/km*. Both 9-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmissions are available, along with a choice of two- or four-wheel-drive.
Advanced safety technologies
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).
State-of-the-art pedestrian-protection system
A pedestrian airbag is triggered by advanced pressure-tube sensors mounted between the bumper cover and the bumper beam, which are designed to detect impacts with adult pedestrians. Should any impacts be detected between 24-48km/h (15-30mph), an airbag concealed by a small scuttle panel at the base of the windscreen deploys in no more than 60 milliseconds, drastically reducing the risk of serious pedestrian injury.
The scuttle cover is attached to the airbag using two tethers, and forms part of the airbag system in helping to spread the load evenly across the airbag; thus the driver’s vision is not obscured during deployment and the airbag volume can be reduced to 110 litres. Rigorous testing ensured the airbag does not deploy in extreme off-road situations.
“The innovative pedestrian protection system is not only unique in the SUV class, it’s also yet to debut in most other segments,” said Paul Cleaver, Discovery Sport Vehicle Programme Director. “It ensures Discovery Sport is one of the safest cars on the road not only for occupants, but for pedestrians too. Most impressively, our engineering and design teams have been able to accommodate this life-saving technology while maintaining Discovery Sport’s streamlined design.”
Complementing the pedestrian-protection system, Discovery Sport’s front end, bumpers, bonnet and cowl are optimised to minimise potential injuries.
Innovative Autonomous Emergency Braking avoids or minimises the impact of collisions
Discovery Sport is the world’s first vehicle to offer an autonomous emergency braking system using an innovative stereo digital camera system. Operational between speeds of 5 and 80km/h (3-50mph), the system helps to avoid collisions below 50km/h (32mph), and reduces the severity of an impact at speeds below 80km/h (50mph).
The system uses stereo cameras mounted next to the rear-view mirror to detect objects that could pose the risk of a collision, such as queuing traffic. If the system deems a collision likely, it will alert the driver with a visual and audible warning. If no action is taken and a collision is judged unavoidable, a further driver warning is triggered while the system applies full braking pressure to bring the vehicle to a stop.
Other driver-assistance systems include:
• Park Assist identifies suitable parallel and perpendicular parking spaces, allowing the driver to operate the accelerator, brake and gears while the vehicle autonomously steers on both entry to and – in the case of parallel parking spaces – exit from the space. Parking sensors offer further assistance
• Automatic High-Beam Assist automatically monitors other vehicles’ head lamps and tail lights, along with ambient lighting in built-up areas. It then controls the vehicle’s high-beam function as conditions dictate
• Lane Departure Warning gently vibrates the steering wheel to warn a driver who may be unintentionally drifting out of a lane
• Traffic Sign Recognition monitors road signs and displays a reminder of the speed limit or overtaking regulations on the satellite-navigation screen
• Trailer Stability Assist detects trailer instability and brakes individual wheels to help the driver correct a potentially hazardous situation
• Tow Assist and Tow Hitch Assist utilise a camera system to help the driver both hitch a trailer and predict its trajectory while reversing
• Blind-Spot Monitor & Closing Vehicle Sensing detect vehicles that are either in the driver’s blind spot or are approaching quickly and could pose a danger during a lane-change. An orange warning light appears in the relevant side mirror to warn the driver
• Automatic headlamps and rain-sensitive wipers activate autonomously according to conditions
Advanced infotainment and convenience features
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.
All-new infotainment system
Discovery Sport features an all-new premium infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen display and 800×480 pixel resolution for an easy and intuitive user experience. It allows drivers to monitor and control a wide range of functions by dragging, scrolling or swiping content, just as they might on a smartphone.
The home screen provides easy access to audio, climate, telephone and navigation functions, while users can swipe to an additional two screens to access a range of other functions. This includes WiFi hotspots, 4x4i and Wade Sensing™ off-road displays, Eco Data and ambient lighting control.
SD-based satellite navigation is supplied as standard equipment, and features advanced 3D city models and landmarks, high-quality 2D maps and 3D views of upcoming junctions for easily legible and realistic mapping.
An intuitive interface allows occupants to quickly enter a postcode or full address as required; alternatively, one-shot voice destination entry can be used, meaning the driver need only say the name of the destination for it to be entered into the satellite-navigation system. Voice commands can also be used to select radio stations, dial phone numbers or access stored contacts from the phonebook.
Other advanced satellite-navigation features include:
• Traffic Congestion View
• Live traffic announcements
• Historical traffic data
• Lane guidance icons
• Customer updatable maps
• Traffic sign display at motorway junctions
The innovative satellite-navigation system has also been optimised to complement Discovery Sport’s outstanding all-terrain capability. Advanced features include:
• Breadcrumbing, which marks the vehicle’s route on the map and allows the driver to re-trace their steps
• Point-to-point navigation, to show the most direct route between two points off-road
• Lateral and longitudinal co-ordinates to both locate the vehicle and navigate to off-road destinations
“Advanced touchscreen technology and an intuitive interface ensures Discovery Sport’s infotainment system offers all the versatility and connectivity that consumers have come to expect,” said Paul Cleaver, Discovery Sport Vehicle Programme Director. “Every Discovery Sport is fitted with an 8-inch touchscreen, so all buyers can benefit from this latest innovation.”
Bluetooth® functionality allows up to two phones to be synced to the infotainment system simultaneously: one to make or receive hands-free phone calls via multi-function steering wheel controls, the other to play audio, including streamed music from app-based services such as Spotify. Alternatively, smartphones and portable MP3 players can be synced and charged via USB sockets or auxiliary inputs.
A choice of three audio systems, including 17-speaker Meridian option for peerless sound quality
A choice of three stereo systems is available: an entry-level system with six speakers; a 10-speaker system with amplifier for enhanced audio quality; and a top-of-the-range system with 10 speakers, an amplifier and subwoofer for outstanding sound reproduction.
An advanced optional infotainment system includes HDD satellite navigation, dual-view functionality – allowing the driver to see only satellite-navigation information, for instance, while the passenger watches a DVD on the same screen – and a rear-seat entertainment system.
The top-of-the-range audio system has been developed in partnership with Meridian, a world leader in audio technologies and digital sound processing. The advanced 825w, Meridian Surround Sound 17-speaker system includes a subwoofer for peerless sound quality, and a state-of-the-art amplifier that incorporates the latest digital processing technology to ensure perfectly optimised sound quality for everyone in the vehicle.
Land Rover InControlTM Apps – the ultimate for in-car connectivity
Developed in conjunction with Bosch SoftTec, InControl Apps puts Land Rover at the forefront of in-car connectivity, and is compatible with the latest Apple and Android smartphones. By connecting a smartphone to the dedicated USB port, well known smartphone apps optimised for in-vehicle use will function on Discovery Sport’s touchscreen, retaining their original look and feel. The latest content becomes available every time the apps update.
A productivity suite enables easy access to the connected smartphone’s contacts, calendar and music library, while a maps app includes maps and satellite views overlaid with the vehicle location.
Land Rover and Bosch SoftTec have worked in conjunction with some of the world’s leading smartphone app developers that are perfectly suited for in-car use, such as satellite navigation, music streaming, internet radio and location services. Compatible apps include iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Glympse, Sygic, Parkopedia, Hotelseeker, Cityseeker, Eventseeker, Airmotion News, Winston and MobileDay, with the range being continually expanded. When InControl Apps is selected as a customer option, the owner must download Land Rover InControlTM Apps to their smartphone from either the Apple App Store (for iPhone 5/5S/5C and onwards) or Google Play (Android). Once the phone is connected to the vehicle’s dedicated USB port, the owner simply taps the InControl Apps icon on the central touchscreen and selects the desired vehicle-compatible app from the menu.
Land Rover InControlTM Apps is the latest addition to Land Rover’s suite of InControl connected-car technologies. InControl Remote allows owners to summon roadside assistance or the emergency services if required, while an SOS signal is triggered automatically should the airbags be deployed in an accident. The InControl Remote smartphone app allows owners to prepare for a trip by checking fuel levels and range remotely, find their vehicle in a crowded car park and check if they have left doors or windows open. They can also download journey details to assist in claiming business mileage expenses. InControl Secure tracks the vehicle should it be stolen, while the Secure Tracking System will automatically trigger an SMS text message to alert the owner. InControl Wi-Fi provides in-car access to a 3G hotspot, enabling up to eight electronic devices to be simultaneously connected.
Head Up Display so your eyes never need to leave the road
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.
