Land Rover Discovery Sport 2015 News

Czech brand Skoda and British carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) have revealed which models will be recalled as part of the wide-spread mandatory Takata airbag call back.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has this week issued safety recalls for various vehicles from Land Rover, Nissan and Volvo.

Volvo, Subaru, Land Rover, Citroen and GM have issued safety recalls for some vehicles due to defective manufacturing issues.

The top end of town has snubbed next week's Paris motor show but the biggest auto event on the European calendar will have plenty of new sheet metal.

Land Rover has confirmed local pricing and trim levels for the 2015 Discovery Sport which arrives locally on May 1, with the mid-size SUV priced from $53,300.The kick-off point for the Discovery Sport is $11,000 more expensive than the outgoing Freelander it replaces, with the top-spec $69,000 Discovery Sport SD4 HSE Luxury drawing about even with the equivalent Freelander.The exclusively all-wheel drive Discovery Sport is available with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine in 110kW/420Nm TD4 or 140kW/420Nm SD4 spec, paired to either a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission.The single 177kW/340Nm four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine is available only with the nine-speed auto.Three trim levels for the Discovery Sport are available - entry-level SE, HSE and top-spec HSE Luxury.All come with efficiency-boosting engine stop/start, hill descent control, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, rear parking sensors, active cruise control, lane departure warning, reversing camera, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), daytime running lights, automatic headlights and wipers, dual-zone climate control, leather seats, powered tailgate, 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system with satnav and the usual connectivity options. On the SE there are 18-inch alloys.The HSE adds front and rear parking sensors, xenon headlights with auto high beam, 11-speaker sound and 19-inch alloysThe HSE Luxury includes the SE and HSE options while adding adaptive xenon headlights with auto high beam, 16-speaker Meridian system and 20-inch alloys.

In a year when the overall car market shrank, all but a handful of prestige brands increased sales. Buyers don't just want a good car; they want others to see they have one, helping everyone from Maserati to Mercedes-Benz post gains.The trend is accelerating and a steady stream of new models in 2015 only adds to the impetus. CarsGuide looks at what's in store for the premium players this year.It isn't hard to foresee the popularity of the 4C two-seat coupe when it hits showrooms next month. This baby supercar uses a carbon-fibre tub, mid-engine layout and minimalist interior to present a modern incarnation of a stripped-down racer. Pricing will be $80,000-$100,000. The soft-top Spider is due in October. The Alfa Giulietta also gets an update.A steady new model rollout starts in February with the arrival of the TT coupe for just under $80,000. It will be joined by the soft-top roadster midyear and the TT S performance model in August or September. The plug-in petrol-electric A3 e-tron five-door hatch is due in May with an expected price of $60,000, with the Q7 large SUV due late in the year. Updates or variants include the A6/A7, RS6/RS7, A1, RS3 and Q3/RSQ3.New metal is in short supply at the British brand but two models will join the line-up, starting with the Vantage S Roadster at a shade under $420,000. If that isn't exclusive enough, consider the $500,000 Vanquish Carbon using the same V12 but with eight forward ratios in place of the Vantage's seven.BENTLEYChauffeurs will going cap-in-hand to buyers of the Mulsanne Speed for the chance to steer the best Bentley ever. A twin-turbo V8 cranks out 1100Nm - only the Bugatti Veyron can torque itself up as a more powerful production model - to push the 2.7-tonne limo into triple figures in 4.9 seconds. Pricing has yet to be set but if you have to ask, you can't afford it.There's a lot of product in the pipeline this year but only one all-new car. The X1 will switch to front-wheel drive when the second-generation model arrives in the third quarter. The X1 will look more mini-SUV than compact wagon, aligning it with the X3 and X5. Top-end versions will be all-wheel drive. Updates and new variants include the 2 Series convertible, X5M/X6M, 6 Series/X6, 3 Series, X4 M40i and X5 e-Drive.The 458 range has a Speciale A due next month. The 499 examples of the alloy hardtop model are already sold, meaning the $635,000 two-seater is likely to be a smart investment. Keep an eye on the classifieds.The struggle to be a serious prestige player continues for Infiniti with a major model overhaul due in 2016. A refreshed Q70 flagship is due midyear with a nip-and-tuck for the bumpers, updated interior trim and more safety software.The transition from niche player to prestige powerhouse is predicated on the XE sedan being a genuine rival for the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and BMW C-Class. Specs indicate the engines are up to the job, so it comes down to how well it can be priced in Australia. There will be updates for the F-Type coupe and convertible and XF sedan.Styling that echoes the Evoque and a premium interior mark the Discovery Sport, debuting in May. Essentially a replacement for the Freelander, the Sport is a serious off-roader with 600mm wading depth and four-wheel drive. Also expect a Range Rover Sport SVR, Range Rover hybrid and updated Evoque.A compact performance sedan, the RC F will cost $133,500, making it a 'budget' alternative to the Germans. The naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 isn't quite on par with the Euro competition but neither is the price. The GS F mid-sized sedan will use the same engine and is due later in the year, price undisclosed. The NX200 will get a new turbo engine.No new news is still good news for Lotus aspirants. An automatic Exige - the brand's first self-shifter - is due in the second quarter. Expect to pay around $9000 for the clutch-less version, putting the price above $135,000. An updated Evora should land late with less weight and improved interior.An 'affordable' McLaren is due late in the year with an entry level Sport model priced at more than $300,000. That puts it in the higher echelons of Porsche 911 territory - but still well below typical McLaren prices.Australia's top-selling prestige brand rolls out a range of new toys this year to expand its appeal. The action starts with the AMG GT and C63 AMG in the second quarter, both using a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8. Skip ahead to Q3 and there's the new GLE (formerly known as the ML) and GLE coupe SUVs, followed by the CLA Shooting Brake and the much-needed GLC compact SUV. Other updates or variants include the S63 coupe, CLS, B-Class and S500 coupe.The action starts with an entry-level five-door Mini Cooper One at $25,600 in February. It is powered by a three-cylinder engine with 75kW/180Nm. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the John Cooper Works three-door hatch, which will be the Mini with the most mumbo ever when it arrives midyear at an estimated $48,000.There's plenty to whet the appetite for performance enthusiasts, even if it is all clad in existing bodywork. The base V6 and performance GTS Cayenne SUV models are due next month, followed by the Turbo S midyear. An update of the 911 should make it before Christmas and Santa may deliver the new GT4 Cayman at the same time.The XC90 large SUV is due midyear with prices starting from about $90,000. A more affordable alternative will be the V60 Cross Country due late in the year from $65,000. The elevated version of the V60 wagon will be sold in FWD and AWD guise.

Land Rover is in the process of rearranging its lineup into three product lines: Range Rover, Discovery and Defender.A new arrival under the Discovery umbrella is the Land Rover Discovery Sport, which is due to lob in Australia in April next year.Land Rover says it isn’t a Freelander replacement despite the fact that it’s roughly the same size and the Freelander is about to be dropped from the lineup.The Discovery Sport is infact a more readily linked to the Range Rover Evoque with which it shares some underpinnings.It’s a more practical vehicle though, no less striking in appearance and with a possible seven seat capacity. Land Rover is targeting the likes of Audi Q5 and the BMW X3 which are currently limited to five seats.Though it retains full on-and-off-road capability, the Discovery Sport is a civilised vehicle equally at home in an urban environment as in the rough and the dirty.DESIGNThe dramatic design features classic Land Rover styling cues like a clamshell bonnet, command driving position and "floating" roof but also drills right into the modern styling idiom as one of the best looking SUVs around right now.It’s compact in size but offers plenty of room inside particularly in five seat configuration. The third row, if fitted, is pretty much for sub teenage kids but the centre pew slides through 150mm facilitating ingress and providing more legroom for row two.Land Rover went to its customer base for intel on the Discovery Sport and implemented many suggestions from the punters such as face level aircon outlets throughout, power outlets throughout and connectivity throughout the cabin. The result is a vehicle that will have almost universal appeal.4WD CREDENTIALSThe Discovery Sport features full all terrain ability through Land Rover’s dial up Terrain Response system but the vehicle is all wheel drive/front wheel drive with both axles only engaged on demand.Ground clearance is 212mm, it has a towing capacity of 2500kg braked and can wade through water up to 600mm deep. Land Rover fitted numerous electronic aids to facilitate driving on and off road. A full size spare is fitted to the five seater, a space saver in the seven.ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONSThree engines will be available from launch, ranging from the 2.0-litre turbo petrol Si4 with 177kW/340Nm and two versions of a 2.2-litre turbo diesel with 110kW and 140kW respectively and 420Nm of torque a piece. The new ultra efficient Ingenium engines follow down the track. All engines have been optimised for internal friction reduction to save fuel.A six speed manual will be available on the diesel with optional nine speed automatic while the petrol is nine speed auto only.WEIGHT SAVINGLike the new Jag XE that will arrive around the same time, the Disco Sport uses weight saving aluminium throughout including the body, chassis and mechanical components such as the suspension.Some cast aluminium components are hollow and the dash crossbeam is magnesium. Further aiding efficiency is a low aerodynamic drag rating of 0.36Cd. This also helps noise reduction.TECHNOLOGYThe Discovery Sport is crammed with the latest technology in many areas - entertainment, safety, driver assist and efficiency boosting.The infotainment system called InControl even allows drivers to communicate with the Sport remotely by iPhone to the point of disabling the vehicle if it’s stolen.SD card driven satnav, 360 degree camera, 8-inch touch screen, wifi hotspot, premium audio, pre-loaded apps are just a few of the wow features in Sport. It’s the most "connected" vehicle Land Rover has ever made.SAFETYA five star safety rating was a given but its more than that. There’s a pedestrian airbag deployed on top of the bonnet and windscreen if required. A full suite of the latest safety equipment is fitted including laser driven head-up display.Torque vectoring is achieved through a Haldex centre clutch and dual clutch rear differential.UNDERNEATHSport ushers in a new rear suspension system called Integral Multi Link that provides fine ride and handling control as well as being compact to deliver more interior room. Large disc brakes are fitted and wheel sizes range from 17-20-inch.VERDICTAfter viewing a video of the new Sport being driven through a 500mm deep by 600mm wide concrete ditch at about 32kmh and coming out unscathed, (which it’s designed to withstand) we were impressed.Discovery Sport will be arguably the most capable and versatile premium compact SUV. 

The Disco Sport adds to the Land Rover family tree, taking over from the Freelander.A leisurely new Land Rover is about to take over from the compact Freelander, which has been swept aside by the off-road company's wave of new models.The Discovery Sport comes as a result of upsizing and a plan to stream the various models in the British off-road family into a new range of names.The Disco Sport is another style winner from the team that created the latest Range Rover and Evoque. The designers also are finalising work on the overdue replacement for the Defender, though there's more to the project than that.Land Rover believes the Discovery Sport will move it well beyond the Freelander's rivals in the class of the Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai ix35 - it's also a challenger to the BMW X3 and Audi Q5,."It's a very different vehicle," says Land Rover Australia brand manager Tim Krieger."It sits in the same segment that the Freelander played in (but) it's a very different proposition."That's in terms of the design of the vehicle, the styling, the size and the configuration with five-plus-two seating."The Discovery Sport takes on the European competitors more directly." Nothing is being revealed about the pricing but Krieger hints it could be surprisingly close to the Freelander, which is $44,990 drive-away."It will be very competitive against X3 and Q5 (in features and options). Pricing will come close to the launch, which is May 1 next year in Australia."Land Rover says the car is the first member of a new Discovery family. Given its size and layout, the future is certain to bring a smaller model as well as a replacement for today's full-sized Discovery."There is room in the Land Rover brand," Krieger says.The Discovery Sport has a more upscale interior and is 90mm longer than the Freelander, with a longer wheelbase and a new platform fitted with a multi-link rear axle.Land Rover's selectable Terrain Response technology is part of the four-wheel drive package and a new dynamic setting gives firmer ride, tighter body control with reduced roll, and a more responsive steering and performance.The Disco Sport can wade to 600mm, approach, departure and breakover angles are 25, 31 and 21 degrees respectively and it has a couple of millimetres extra ride height over the Freelander.On the safety front, Land Rover has fitted a pedestrian airbag and automatic emergency braking. Engine choices are 2.2-litre turbodiesels and a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol with six or nine-speed automatic transmissions.And the name of the new Discovery "family"?"We have three pillars to the Land Rover brand," Krieger says. "Luxury is all about Range Rover, Leisure is the Discovery models, then Utility will be the Defender models. All of those have Land Rover DNA ... but represent different things."

Land Rover has revealed the first official digital images of the new Discovery Sport SUV, eight months ahead of the Freelander-replacement’s international on-sale date. The Discovery Sport is set to compete with the new Lexus NX, Audi Q5 and BMW X3, Land Rover claims the new Discovery Sport is the world’s most versatile and capable premium compact SUV.“Our challenge has been to combine premium design with exceptional versatility; the two attributes must work in harmony,” Land Rover design boss Gerry McGovern said. Optional occasional third row seating -taking the passenger count up to seven - is unique to the Discover Sport’s segment, without growing externally beyond its premium rivals.Key to packaging the extra row of seats is an all-new compact multilink rear suspension design that also promises sufficient travel for off-road use. Land Rover claims the new Discovery Sport is the world’s most versatile and capable premium compact SUV.Also aiding the Discovery Sport to live up to its off-road heritage is an official approach, departure and rampover angles of angle of 25, 31, and 21 degrees respectively, a wading depth of 600mm, and Land Rover’s Terrain Response off-road traction control system. Featuring a similar tall-boy stance and tapering beltline as the Discovery Vision Concept shown at the New York motor show in April, the production Discovery Sport features deeper head and taillights than the larger concept, but a strong family resemblance to the rest of the Land Rover/Range Rover lineup. The new body is a blend of high-strength steel and aluminium, and packages a pedestrian airbag, auto emergency braking to deliver on safety expectations.The interior design is a significant step ahead of the current Freelander, promising tilt and slide second row seating, clever storage spaces, along with up to four 12V power sockets and six USB ports to keep up with the demands of modern electronic devices. An 8-inch multimedia screen and heads-up display will also feature. From launch, the exclusively all-wheel drive Discovery Sport will be available with versions of the existing Si4 2.0-litre petrol turbo and 2.2-litre turbodiesel engines, with efficiency-boosting stop/start and regenerative braking along with a choice of six-speed manual or Land Rover’s new nine-speed automatic transmission.

The Discovery Sport, to be launched next year, is the start of a new three-family group of vehicles marketed under the headings of Utility, Luxury and Versatility, said Jaguar Land Rover director of marketing Phil Popham.The Utility family will include a new Defender – slated for 2017 – which will be sold as workhorse cab-chassis and wagons. Popham indicates it could also include a leisure-oriented model.The Luxury family is the Range Rover Vogue, Sport and Evoque, though Popham didn’t dismiss the possibility of adding a smaller model. Land Rover’s third family will be sold under the Versatility label. This will include the Discovery 5 – due in 2016 – and the Freelander replacement, the Discovery Sport. If Land Rover decide to go ahead with a smaller Evoque, it may spin off the platform to a smaller Discovery.But Popham refused to talk about the replacement for the Defender. He said the company was involved in other projects and a new Defender wasn’t part of current plans. Land Rover has shown concepts of the Defender in the past, using them to gauge public opinion. The last concept was the DC100 which though receiving good reviews from attendees at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show, was thought to be too “soft’’ for the Defender tag.The Discovery Sport – and the updates to the Evoque – will next year start to use Land Rover’s new engine family marketed under the Ingenium label. The first of the 2-litre petrol and diesel engines will be the oilburner that goes into production in the UK later this year.It will be used in the Evoque, Discovery Sport and be adapted for some Jaguar models, including the mid-size BMW 3-Series rival, the XE sedan. It could even be adapted to the F-Type, said a Jaguar representative at the New York Auto Show, though said there were no plans. In-house drivetrain production means Jaguar Land Rover will no longer be tied to the Ford-design 2-litre EcoBoost and Duratorq engines, so saving on costs associated with licences. The same split from Ford’s engines is also under way at Volvo, which – like Jaguar Land Rover – is also a former division of Ford.Jaguar Land Rover technical director Dr Wolfgang Epple said at the New York Auto Show that the new engines “are the core for our future’’. He said they are lighter, more fuel and emission efficient and more powerful than the existing 2-litre engines.