Freelander 2 successor Discovery Sport launched, price begins at Rs 46.1L
Land Rover’s long awaited Freelander 2 successor, Discovery Sport is now out on sale in India. Available only in diesel powertain, there are four variants on offer which includes S, SE, HSE and HSE Luxury. On the outside, the premium SUV looks even better, while nothing changes under the skin. Power is generated by the same 2.2 litre diesel engine that served its predecessor.
Outer stance is boastful, measuring 4,600 mm long, 2,173 mm wide and 1,724 mm high. Styling is done tastefully, the heavily designed front looks assertive and bold. Front features adaptive Xenon head lights with LED signature, chrome finished honey-comb upper grille is petite yet appears sporty. Lower side of the bumper features fog lights with chrome housings, black honey-comb lower grille and side skirts finished in black. A silver skid plate is also equipped in the front.
Side gets 18 inch nine spoke alloy wheels, dual tone outside rear view mirrors with turn indicators. The heated ORVMs can be folded and adjusted electrically, besides it also features memory function. Black body cladding is evident all across the vehicle which accentuates the sporty character of the SUV. Chrome embellishment is minimal on the outside, instead the SUV gets more of black finish. Window frame is designed uniquely, there is a gap between the third and first two windows. The third window merges into the C pillar which gets glossy black finishing. Rear comes with reflectors, captivating tail lamps, dual chrome tail pipes and dual tone bumpers. Other vital features on the outside include a fixed panoramic roof, rain sensing wipers etc.
Wheelbase measuring 2,741 mm infers a lavish cabin, there is enough space inside for the passengers sitting in front as well as rear. Although, third row falls short of space and does not offer enough room to seat adults that said the third row is more suited for kids. Interior styling is not very impressive; the colour theme enveloped inside is dark. Leather seat covers are restricted to the top end variants. Ten way adjustable electric seats with memory function are employed in front for driver as well as co-passenger.
Features incorporated for occupants’ comfort are ample, yet it lacks some of the avant-garde equipments available in rival SUVs. Among the onboard comfort features passive entry, cruise control, front & rear parking aid, parallel and perpendicular park assist, two-zone climate control with air quality sensing and climate control with high level rear ac vents, auto dimming interior lights and customer configurable interior mood lighting, 8 inch colour touch-screen, Meridian surround sound audio system with 17 speakers etc are included.
Mechanical power comes from the same 2.2 litre diesel motor armed in the previous model. The diesel powerplant is available in dual outputs, the 110 KW/400 Nm version is loaded in base and mid level trims. On the other hand the 140 KW/420 Nm version powers range topping variant. A nine-speed automatic transmission is paired to the diesel motor. Moreover, drive is channelized to all four wheels through an all-wheel drive system with Terrain system.
Performance on road is likeable, specially the off-road driving experience is commendable. Ride quality is consistently good, handling again is decent but there is still a room for improvement. There is a nice grip on the steering, it is responsive. The nine-speed automatic transmission is effortless.
Safety is taken care of, the SUV comes stuffed with eminent equipments like anti-lock-braking system with electronic traction control, roll stability control, dynamic stability control and adaptive dynamics with MagneRide, sidebags, front airbags and curtainbags for driver and front passenger.
In its segment, the premium SUV will face competition from rivals including Audi Q5, BMW X3 and XC60. As for pricing, the locally assembled Discovery Sport range starts at Rs 46.1 lakh for the base S trim, SE trim which is placed a notch above is available for Rs 51 lakh and HSE variant is priced at Rs 53.34 lakh. The top-spec HSE Luxury variant that comes equipped with a raft of features is tagged at Rs 60.7 lakh (ex-showroom prices).
Story Source: Subhananda Bera from AutoPortal.com
Subhananda brings in a whole range of ideas and approaches to enrich the stories he covers. He is a versatile writer with a distinct edge in his ability to articulate his views on a given subject from different perspectives. A Masters in English Literature gives him the basic pedigree to handle content and editorial teams at different levels and across different niches.
Wow love the car man