We went to Iceland, a country where volcanic rock, snow, water and ice conspire to produce challenging conditions, for the launch of the Discovery Sport writes Geraldine Herbert
What is it? The Discovery Sport is the first in a new family of Discovery models from Land Rover.
First impressions of the New Discovery Sport? While is it essentially a larger and more practical Evoque it is clearly aimed at a completely different market with the needs of a family firmly at its core. It is available in both a five seat or seven seat option.
What about the interior?Inside it is particularly impressive and the amount of space, given its compact size, is remarkable. There is plenty of head and legroom front and back and more than sufficient room in the fold-flat third row to accommodate children or the occasional adult.
And behind the wheel? Equipped with studded tyres the fresh snow and solid ice proves little problem for the Discovery Sport. While we gain some useful tips about driving on snow, including that the best way to tackle snow drifts is not slowly but with a swift and steady momentum in truth all of the hard work is done by the car. The Discovery Sport is available with a terrain response system – unique to Land Rover – that enables optimum traction to be engaged at the turn of a switch for a variety of conditions including Snow, Mud and Sand. In addition Land Rover have improved the hill descent which now reacts three times faster so when you are going down a steep or slippery slope it is easier to control the car.
How Much? The starting price for the five seat option is €37,100 or €41,990 for the automatic, the seven seat option will cost around €2,000 more.
What about my options: At launch, there are two diesel engines available – the 190bhp SD4 2.2-litre diesel with 157g/km and the 150bhp TD4 2.2 with emissions of 149g/km. In June, the 2.0-litre diesel next generation Ingenium engine will join the range. With emissions of just 119g/km it will also be available in front-wheel drive.There is also a choice of a six-speed manual or the silky smooth nine-speed automatic and four trim levels – S, SE, HSE and HSE Luxury.
3 words to describe the Land Rover Discovery Sport: Capable; Practical; Comfortable
For more information visit Landrover.ie, check out their facebook page here
Geraldine Herbert
23rd December, 2014
