What's all this about?
Are you one of the keen types who has already bought a Land Rover Discovery Sport? A 2.2-litre diesel model? Well, look away now.
Why?
Because it is already been superseded by a better version.
You what? It has only been on sale a few months!
Yes, but you must have heard of the Jaguar Land Rover 'Ingenium' diesel engines, new aluminium units of 2.0 litres in capacity that are now finding their way into everything JLR. They're in the new Range Rover Evoque, they're in the new Jaguar XE, they'll be in the new Jaguar XF...
Right. And they're now in the Discovery Sport?
Yes, in two familiar trims of 150hp/380Nm or 180hp/430Nm, both badged TD4. The 180 comes with either a standard six-speed manual or optional nine-speed automatic gearbox, while the 150 is manual only. All are paired to four-wheel drive.
What does this mean for economy and emissions?
The 150hp model is so green that it will get Land Rover's new 'E-Capability' badging, which is, er... blue. Yes, the 'Sport' label on the car is blue-backed, which marks it out as an E-Capability model fitted with 18-inch low-rolling resistance tyres, its own specific gearing and engine calibration. That equates to 57.7mpg combined and 129g/km CO2. The 180 TD4, whether manual or auto, yields up 53.3mpg and 139g/km.
Any word on prices?
The new 150hp TD4 represents a new entry point to Disco Sport world, as it is the first baby Landie to be offered in just five-seat format; all others are '5+2'. It therefore can be had from as little as £30,695 for an SE model, or from £299 per month on finance. Other models remain unchanged price-wise over the old diesels, although service intervals for Ingenium cars go up from 16,000- to 21,000 miles. At the other end of the scale, there is a new HSE Black trim at the top of the Discovery Sport tree, priced at £41,250 on the road.
Are these available now?
Yes, order now for delivery in September.
Matt Robinson - 27 Apr 2015