Facelift (What's New)
New Ingenium petrol engine that offers improved response and fuel economy
12 new exterior colour options
New seat forma composition for extra occupant comfort
There's much to like about the Land Rover Discovery Sport. For one, it's a premium-badged seven-seating Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) without the full-blown premium European price tag.
And unlike other more expensive and expansive seven-seat offerings like the Audi Q7, the BMW X5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLS, it's as compact as a five-seating BMW X3 or a Jaguar F-PACE, which makes for much easier manoeuvring and parking.
In fact, it's Land Rover's fastest-selling vehicle, with more than 200,000 units sold globally since its introduction in 2014. And now, the British marque has added a few more reasons for potential car buyers to consider the updated Disco Sport.
The same good looks and everyday comfort but with a little more grace and customisation options
An update? It looks very much the same, though
While the outgoing petrol-powered Disco Sport shared the heart of the Range Rover Evoque, the one you see here uses the group's new Ingenium engine.
Equipped with a new turbocharged 2.0-litre powerplant, there's still an equivalent 237bhp and 340Nm as before.
But while the full brunt of that power and torque used to flourish at 5,800rpm and 1,750rpm respectively, Land Rover has managed to boost low-end performance of the Ingenium unit with a new twin-scroll turbocharger setup, enabling its magic to happen much earlier.
New 237bhp Ingenium engine offers better low-end performance as well as refinementIt's also silkier in operation than the unit it replaces, although still lacking the overall powertrain refinement of the Germans.
At the same time, mated to the now-familiar nine-speed ZF transmission, gear changes are executed with relative ease but the delay in downshift decisiveness can be a cause for frustration especially when you're piloting the near two-tonne SUV in a hurry.
And unlike other more expensive and expansive seven-seat offerings like the Audi Q7, the BMW X5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLS, it's as compact as a five-seating BMW X3 or a Jaguar F-PACE, which makes for much easier manoeuvring and parking.
In fact, it's Land Rover's fastest-selling vehicle, with more than 200,000 units sold globally since its introduction in 2014. And now, the British marque has added a few more reasons for potential car buyers to consider the updated Disco Sport.
An update? It looks very much the same, though
While the outgoing petrol-powered Disco Sport shared the heart of the Range Rover Evoque, the one you see here uses the group's new Ingenium engine.
Equipped with a new turbocharged 2.0-litre powerplant, there's still an equivalent 237bhp and 340Nm as before.
But while the full brunt of that power and torque used to flourish at 5,800rpm and 1,750rpm respectively, Land Rover has managed to boost low-end performance of the Ingenium unit with a new twin-scroll turbocharger setup, enabling its magic to happen much earlier.
At the same time, mated to the now-familiar nine-speed ZF transmission, gear changes are executed with relative ease but the delay in downshift decisiveness can be a cause for frustration especially when you're piloting the near two-tonne SUV in a hurry.
But for the most part, it's not an issue that really dampens the appeal of the car. More importantly, the Ingenium engine affords an improved fuel economy of 0.5km/L over its predecessor.
Is there anything else new?
There's also an enlarged colour palette consisting of 12 new options and some new interior trim matching that of the Discovery, as well as alterations to the seat foam for added plush.
Driver and passengers in the first two rows will find a sufficient amount of head and legroom although the last row is best reserved for unplanned tag-alongs, little children or the family pet.
Doesn't sound too bad of a deal. Should I seriously give this a shot?
There's no reason not to, honestly. It's not the best in any particular aspect but it's now a little more polished and offers a good balance of grace, space and pace for the average Singaporean family to pretty much go anywhere, do anything.
