DISCO GOES ELECTRIC!
LAND rover this week showed the world its revamped familyfriendly Discovery sport at its off-road experience centre in the grounds of luton Hoo Hotel, Bedfordshire.
many supposedly new models incorporate minimal refinements, but the changes present in this ‘baby Disco’, built in Halewood, merseyside, are much more than skin deep, as maker Jaguar land rover is ‘electrifying’ its range.
Its top-selling seven-seater suV now has a frugal hybrid-electric engine, an upgraded interior and various high-tech updates to keep fuel costs and emissions down.
This hybrid system harvests energy normally lost in deceleration and stores it in an underfloor battery. The 67-litre fuel tank in
the petrol model is 20 per cent bigger than its predecessor’s, and economy ranges from 35.3 mpg to 53.3 mpg, with carbon dioxide emissions from 140g/km to 182g/ km, depending on model.
Driving it was off-limits, but I was able to clamber around inside and can report it now feels more classy, offering greater space, comfort, quiet and connectivity.
It has seven seats as standard — thanks to pop-up ones — on all versions except the entry-level D150 diesel manual front-wheel drive, where it’s a £1,000 option. However, buyers can specify five seats at no extra cost.
Other features include leD headlamps and rear lights, a new grille and bumpers, reversing camera, wireless charging, a 4G wifi hotspot and ample usB ports and 12-volt sockets.
Cosmetic tweaks make it look a little sportier, but it will still wade through streams up to 60cm deep, climb mountains and explore tough terrain, while being practical enough for the school run.
Prices start at £31,575 for the 2 l 150hp diesel manual front-wheel drive model and go up to £49,675 for the diesel D240 all-wheel drive auto in r-Dynamic Hse.
The first-generation ‘baby Disco’ was launched in 2014 to replace the long-running Freelander suV.