Land Rover Discovery Sport is a practical version of Evoque

Text: www.topgear.com/india

By Amaan Ahmed

Long expected to replace the ageing Freelander 2, the new compact Land Rover has been revealed, but as an extension of the Discovery line-up. Yes, it's called the 'Discovery Sport', and no, it is not a like-for-like replacement for the Freelander.

It uses a heavily-modified version of the Evoque's platform, which itself is based on a heavily-reworked Freelander platform. Still, it's an all-new car, and you can clearly see how the new-age Range Rover styling cues have found their way into the Land Rover family.




Unlike the Freelander, the Disco Sport, in true Discovery fashion, has a hugely versatile interior, complete with seating for seven (including a tiltand-slide middle row for added flexibility), and, with all rows folded flat into the floor, as much cargo space as a Range Rover.




It's almost like a more practical Evoque. Powering the Disco Sport are the 2.0-litre Si4 petrol (237bhp) and the 2.0-litre diesel (187bhp) engines, again, from the Evoque, with a sixspeed manual and a nine-speed automatic gearbox on offer.




Later, there will also be a 148bhp, two-wheel drive diesel variant, which will sport a smaller price tag. In terms of price, the Discovery Sport will sit between the Freelander and the Evoque when it is launched in 2015.