LONDON: The Land Rover Discovery Sport has appeared in Malaysia. The seven-seat (or rather, 5+2) replacement for the Freelander 2 was previewed a while ago at a Land Rover Malaysia off-road experience event happening in Sepang, but the new Disco Sport won’t go on sale here until late-July or August.
Two engine variants will be available when the SUV eventually arrives, and these will be the familiar 240 PS 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol (which is the Ford EcoBoost mill) and a 190 PS (and 420 Nm) 2.2 litre Ford/PSA turbodiesel. No indication of pricing as yet, nor is there any on what trim levels to expect.
The showcase model is a metallic Yulong White 2.2D SD4 example, and wears a SE level trim, dressed in an Ebony interior (with Ebony grained leather). Here, the oil burner is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
The kitbag on the display unit includes xenon headlamps with DRLs, a powered tailgate, a panoramic roof and a Meridian surround audio system. Also on here are eight-way electrically adjustable front seats, reverse camera and a new eight-inch touchscreen.
There’s also configurable mood lighting and a HDD navigation system, and the SD4 example is shod with nine-spoke 18-inch alloys and 235/60 profile rubbers. We’re however told that the specifications for both the diesel and petrol Disco Sport we’re getting hasn’t yet been finalised, so the SD4 you’re looking at may not be fully representative of the type, at least in the case of the diesel variant.
The Disco Sport is equipped with the automaker’s Terrain Response system, and features 25-, 31- and 21-degree approach, departure and breakover angles respectively as well as a wading depth of up to 600 mm, making it one ready for any rough moments. We’ll have more on the SUV when the time comes
