‘’Disco is a major influence in the world of fashion’’ according to Neil Bogart, the record executive responsible for Donna Summer. He was referring to the dance craze of the 70s, but the quote works in reference to Land Rover’s latest: the fashionable Discovery Sport.
EXECUTIVE CARS
If one was to say ‘’Land Rover Discovery,’’ most would conjure up images of that roof-stepped-up off-road vehicle favoured by the SAS, British Police and lords of the land who have a propensity for owning shotguns and Labradors.
The Land Rover Discovery Sport – is aimed the new generation of SUV buyers who have heard of these things called Land Rovers, but always thought of them as something they would never own.
Today’s Discovery Sport has lost its namesake’s quirkiness, but to look at one in a carpark overcrowded with SUVs, the Discovery Sport still retains its certain something – I’d say ‘je ne sais quoi’ but that’s French, and Land Rover’s aren’t.
The successful execution of the Discovery Sport then, speaks highly of a brand which cherishes its heritage almost as much as the new technology, which it has challenged itself to adopt.
Key to the Discovery Sport range (all told, six models) is the engine technology. Across the range in New Zealand, we have access to two diesel engines and one petrol, with the diesels being the traditionally accepted powerplant.
These are all Wolverhampton-built Ingenium engines – with this iteration described as the most advanced engines found in Jaguar, Land Rover and Range Rover product.
In this example, the TD4 engine is mated to a nine-speed automatic with paddle shifters for those who feel the need to change gear and not rely on the pop-up dial which excitedly stands to attention when the ignition is buttoned on.
The Ingenium will idle away quietly while you and the Discovery Sport get acquainted.
Adjust the seat (leather of course, and heated up the front) in any one of 10 different ways, preselect what form of audio entertainment you might like, familiarise yourself with the voice command functionality, check to see that you are in Road mode – as opposed to snow, gravel, desert or rock – spin the gear dial into reverse and marvel at the clarity of the camera (with tow bar assist) which is displayed on the eight-inch touchscreen as you make your way out on to the highway.
Now you can set up your satellite navigation, displayed on the touchscreen and a turn-by-turn visual cue nestled between the left-hand speedometer and right-hand rev counter, which make up the supervision cluster.
Steering is confidently well weighted and matched perfectly to the size of the vehicle. Accelerator response is smooth and strong, and open road cruising is where the Discovery Sport really shines.
Our time with the Discovery Sport was mostly road surface, though we did find a few places where the wild things went, so we ventured off-road to find them.
No wild things were found, but we did see the Discovery’s on-road confidence celebrated in the off-road environment, where it is surefooted and very much in its element.
Is it flawless? No, in fact there is one glaring aspect of the Discovery Sport which really stands out, and that is when the auto stop Start re-engages. To be fair, there’s a lot of ‘crank over’ when restarting a diesel, and you feel it with this vehicle. You can disable the system, fortunately.
SPECIFICATIONS:
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORT SE
BODY TYPE
Five-door SUV
DRIVE
All-wheel drive
ENGINE TYPE
Turbocharged diesel
ENGINE CAPACITY
1999cc
MAX POWER
110kW
MAX TORQUE
380Nm @ 1750rpm
L/100KM (COMBINED)
5.3 litres
C02 EMISSIONS
139gm/km
BOOT CAPACITY
985 to 1698 litres
ANCAP RATING
5 Star
PRICE
$78,590
