Photo: Stefan Baldauf/SB-Medien
Land Rover engineers are out there driving a mysterious prototype based on a Discovery Sport.
Our friends at SB-Medien have spotted a prototype that has a slightly modified front bumper. Instead of the fog lights, the bumper has larger air vents.
Additionally, it has another extra central intake in the lower part, and it also appears to have a different design when compared to the standard unit.
Since Land Rover launched the Discovery Sport in September 2014, this prototype is not a facelift, but we do not believe this is a full-on sports version of the Discovery Sport either. After all, if this were a Discovery Sport SVR, it should have featured beefier brakes, a different rear bumper, and a set of exhausts to match.
Instead, we believe this prototype is a mule used to test a new engine in the Discovery Sport range. Most likely, the British carmaker is testing a new version for this model.
A more powerful diesel version of the Discovery Sport first came into the discussion just one month after the current generation of the model was presented, but it was referred to as a hypothetical version at the time. Another possibility would be a hybrid powertrain, but the prototype lacks any space for a charging plug and other specific details.
The new engine for the Discovery Sport range is probably an enhanced Ingenium unit, as the power plant family is already expanding and has been featured in the Land Rover range before. If Land Rover introduces a more powerful diesel in the Discovery Sport range, the unit is expected to develop around 250 HP and plenty of torque. The new diesel would only be launched on the European market, as these engines fare better on the Old Continent.
The Discovery Sport is the newest nameplate in the British brand’s portfolio, and it is a seven-seat SUV available with a nine-speed automatic gearbox. The compact SUV is the first of a new Discovery family created by Land Rover, which will soon be expanded even more.
Additionally, it has another extra central intake in the lower part, and it also appears to have a different design when compared to the standard unit.
Since Land Rover launched the Discovery Sport in September 2014, this prototype is not a facelift, but we do not believe this is a full-on sports version of the Discovery Sport either. After all, if this were a Discovery Sport SVR, it should have featured beefier brakes, a different rear bumper, and a set of exhausts to match.
Instead, we believe this prototype is a mule used to test a new engine in the Discovery Sport range. Most likely, the British carmaker is testing a new version for this model.
A more powerful diesel version of the Discovery Sport first came into the discussion just one month after the current generation of the model was presented, but it was referred to as a hypothetical version at the time. Another possibility would be a hybrid powertrain, but the prototype lacks any space for a charging plug and other specific details.
The new engine for the Discovery Sport range is probably an enhanced Ingenium unit, as the power plant family is already expanding and has been featured in the Land Rover range before. If Land Rover introduces a more powerful diesel in the Discovery Sport range, the unit is expected to develop around 250 HP and plenty of torque. The new diesel would only be launched on the European market, as these engines fare better on the Old Continent.
The Discovery Sport is the newest nameplate in the British brand’s portfolio, and it is a seven-seat SUV available with a nine-speed automatic gearbox. The compact SUV is the first of a new Discovery family created by Land Rover, which will soon be expanded even more.
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