3 minute read
Land Rover Discovery Sport PHEV
The Discovery Sport has been a real sales success for Land Rover, leading the way for the past three years and selling almost half a million vehicles to date.
During that time it has won a number of awards and introduced to the brand a large number of new, younger families who are looking for something different.
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And now, with the shift to non-ICE motoring gathering pace like never before, so the Discovery Sport has added a new string to its bow with a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle powertrain.
Available across the range, this efficient plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) model is perfect for urban commutes as well as family adventures, delivering all-electric driving with zero tailpipe emissions.
The PHEV combines a three-cylinder, 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver a total power output of 309HP, to be driven in either parallel-hybrid or full EV Mode.
By combining an internal combustion engine with an electric motor for optimal efficiency and performance, PHEV delivers the best of both technologies, a virtually silent drive in full electric vehicle (EV) mode before a seamless transition to petrol when the battery charge is low.
The Discovery Sport PHEV range can fully charge from either a domestic socket or an IEC connector. It is ideally suited to charge overnight, fully recharging in as little as 7.5 hours. Installing and using a wall box can reduce charging times closer to 2.75 hours, however.
The PHEV option brings CO2 right down to as low as 44 g/km, which means the BIK Tax Rate starts from 11%. The EV only range is up to 34 miles.
But the engine performance isn’t the only reason to include the Discovery Sport PHEV in your wish-list. Versatility is at its core, with an interior designed to meet the challenges of an active lifestyle, combining a flexible 5+2 seat layout with a spacious, modern interior that features two digital display screens and a new centre console. This is punctuated by soft rotary controls and buttons, set into a hidden-until-lit, gloss black interface and grouped logically so that everyone can enjoy the refined, premium environment.
The digital experience has been transformed inside both vehicles with the introduction of Land Rover’s state-of-the-art Pivi infotainment. The system is ready to go as soon as it is
switched on – a separate data plan and battery mean there’s no delay. Software updates are available over-the-air via the vehicle’s embedded data connection at no cost, and can even be scheduled at a time to suit, ensuring customers always have the latest maps, apps and vehicle features without having to visit a retailer.
Other technology updates include a comprehensive suite of new advanced driver assistance features, such as rear traffic monitor with automatic braking.
The new rear collision monitor uses radars to constantly monitor the vehicle’s rear, meaning the Discovery Sport is primed to reduce the severity of an impact for the occupants, while the introduction of a 3D surround camera lets the driver see what’s happening around the vehicle at speeds of up to 19mph, making manoeuvring and even navigating difficult terrain simpler than ever.
These new systems complement the ClearSight ground vew and ClearSight rear view mirror technologies introduced in 2019; smart camera technology stitches together images below the bonnet, while the latter provides an interchangeable rear-view mirror and video screen, for enhanced visibility.
Discovery Sport features a practical 5+2 design, with 40:20:40 split-folding second row seats that provides 24 possible seat configurations, ensuring flexibility for family adventures.
In all it’s a stunning combination of capability and composure in equal measure. The joy of Discovery Sport is in finding that no adventure is out of reach – and it’s now possible to do it in a whisper-quiet electric format.
PHEV option brings the Discovery Sport bang into line with modern life
