The Land Rover Discovery Sport, an indirect replacement of the Freelander and the first member of the brand’s new generation Discovery model family, officially arrives in Malaysia having been launched by Jaguar Land Rover (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd today.
Based on an extensively redeveloped version of the Range Rover Evoque’s platform, the transverse-engined Discovery Sport will be offered with a choice of two Ford powertrains in our market, starting with the petrol-powered Si4 at launch followed by the SD4 turbodiesel, both fitted ZF’s latest 9-speed automatic transmission as standard.
Carried over from the Evoque, both engines are legacies of Ford’s previous ownership of Jaguar Land Rover, and they have become highly familiar powertrains in our market. The Si4’s 237hp/340Nm 2.0-litre turbo engine is featured in a number of Ford and Volvo models, whilst the SD4’s 187hp/42Nm 2.2-litre oil burner is developed from a PSA-Ford joint venture and used in the Peugeot 508 GT.
Whilst the forward half of the Discovery Sport’s platform is based largely on the Evoque, Land Rover has made extensive alterations aft of the architecture, to the point where the rear suspension features an all-new integral multi-link set up with no resemblance to the Ford Control Blade-derived set up still seen in the Evoque.
Land Rover claims that the packaging benefits of its all-new suspension design not only allows the Discovery Sport to offer best-in-class off-road performance and agility, but also gives space to accommodate its 5+2-seater configuration, which will be standard in Malaysia although a number of 5-seater vehicles have also made their ways to our shores, for use as demo vehicles.
Globally, Land Rover offers the Discovery Sport with a choice of three drivelines – front-wheel drive, which is exclusive for CO2-conscious markets; active four-wheel drive; and permanent four-wheel drive. For Malaysia, the Efficient Driveline fulltime four-wheel drive set up is the standard setup. This system, it is claimed, has the ability to scale gradients as steep as 45 degrees.
Like all Land Rovers, the Discovery Sport is meticulously engineered to boast unrivalled off-roading abilities. Land Rover’s trademarked Terrain Response system allows the vehicle’s steering, throttle, transmission, differential, brakes, and stability control system to be adjusted between four pre-set settings, namely General; Grass/Gravel/Snow; Mud and Ruts; and Sand.
Physically, the Discovery Sport is also primed for action, with 212mm of ground clearance and class-leading approach, departure, and breakover angles of 25,31, and 21 degrees respectively. In extreme situations, the approach angle can be further increased by unsnapping the front bumper’s lower trim. Land Rover claims that the Discovery Sport is engineered to wade its way through water up to 600mm deep.
Pricing of the Discover Sport 2.0 Si4 is pegged at RM399,000 with GST before on-road costs, whilst the SD4’s has yet to be confirmed. JLR offers all Discovery Sports with a 5-year/300,000km warranty in addition to 5-year/80,000km free maintenance and 3-year roadside assistance.
Keyword: Land Rover Discovery Sport launched in Malaysia