New engine signals Discovery Sport price hikes

LAND ROVER has raised pricing of its Discovery Sport by up to $1690 following the addition of new technology and the replacement of a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder with a 2.0-litre equivalent from the company’s Ingenium range.

When the model year 2017 range arrives in October, the Discovery Sport TD4 150 SE will have increased to $56,355 plus on-road costs, up $355 over the equivalent outgoing model grade that has a carry over nine-speed automatic transmission.

It has become the sole transmission for the five- to seven-seat SUV range following the quiet deletion of a $2500-cheaper six-speed manual version last year, which Land Rover Australia senior public relations executive James Scrimshaw said represented miniscule volume in the range.

The new all-aluminium Ingenium engine weighs 24kg less than the outgoing cast-iron DW12 unit, and despite 200cc-smaller swept capacity the TD4 150 produces an identical 110kW but with torque reduced by 20Nm to 380Nm.

Land Rover has claimed the new engine teamed with the carry over automatic will deliver an identical 10.3-second 0-100km/h but with combined cycle fuel consumption reduced by 0.7L/100km to 5.3L/100km.

That engine calibration will top out with a Discovery Sport TD4 150 HSE priced from $61,000 or $600 more than its previous equivalent.

Formerly a 140kW/420Nm version of the 2.2-litre was available in the Discovery Sport SD4 SE from $59,000 but it has been replaced by a new TD4 180 SE with a 132kW/430Nm version of the new Ingenium engine, now up $995 to $59,995.

The 8.9s 0-100km/h for the TD4 180 has matched the SD4 but with fuel usage down 0.8L/100km and identical to the new TD4 150.

The TD4 180 HSE specification has lifted $1035 to $64,635 while the flagship TD4 180 HSE Luxury has copped the biggest hike, up $1690 to $70,690 – although new equipment is included in the latter only.

The addition of a 10.2-inch colour touchscreen with ‘button free’ InControl Touch Pro infotainment system software has become the headline act for the MY17 Discovery Sport.

Packaged with a 17-speaker 825-watt Meridian audio system, television and digital radio tuner, it has been made standard on HSE Luxury, and optional on SE ($4350) and HSE ($3850) as a replacement for the standard 8.0-inch screen.

A Rear Entertainment Package further bundled the above with a ‘dual view’ front screen and twin rear screens, adding $7210 to HSE and $5670 to HSE Luxury.

An across-the-range $550 InControl Apps feature will also make its debut with a fresh Tile smartphone app. Linked with Apple or Android devices, it can allow owners to attach Bluetooth-connected tags to various household items that are regularly lost. The smartphone-linked cabin app then locates these items at any time.

The British brand has claimed owners can otherwise spend up to 15 minutes each day searching for lost items.

Another new Lane Keep Assistance with Driver Condition Monitoring system has been made available for $940 on all models to replace the previous lane departure alert by moving the steering wheel to keep the vehicle in the centre of the lane.

New styling-enhancing Black Pack options have rounded out the MY17 updates at a cost of between $930 (HSE Luxury) and $3500 (SE). It includes a combination of black exterior highlights with larger 18- to 20-inch alloy wheels and a contrast roof feature depending on the specification.

The next major update for the Discovery Sport will be the changeover of the existing single petrol-engined version in the range, the unchanged $59,990 Si4 SE using a Ford-derived 177kW/340Nm 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder, to a new Ingenium version.

Land Rover has communicated that this change will occur, however it has not confirmed timing or specifications for the new petrol arrival.

According to industry body VFACTS the Discovery Sport has been something of a hit for Land Rover so far this year.

In the eight months to August 2016 it has averaged 366 sales to accrue 2927 units so far this year, placing it second in the premium medium SUV category behind the Mercedes-Benz GLC (3290) but ahead of the BMW X3 (2687), Lexus NX (2331) and Audi Q5 (2214).

2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport pricing*

TD4 150 SE (a)	$56,355
TD4 150 HSE (a)	$61,000
Si4 SE (a)	$59,990
TD4 180 SE (a)	$59,995
TD4 180 HSE (a)	$64,635
TD4 180 HSE Lux (a)	$70,690

*Excludes on-road costs