Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/501315
XVIII maltatoday, Sunday, 26 april 2015 Motoring Time for Evoque's sibling Chris Mangion Bigger and poshier than the now aged Freelander 2, the Discovery Sport is an SUV which boasts luxury and comfort at par with its best competitors. Sleeker and more stylish than its younger brother the Freelander seems closer to the Range Rover line up. Gone are the square edges, which the design team has replaced with smoother curves. The lines, raised along the bonnet closely resemble those of the Evoque just like the black wheel-arch trim. The vehicle also sports crosshair-style LED daytime running lights, Xenon headlamps front fog lights and simi- larly designed tail-lamps. Another heirloom Evoque is the dashboard, including the climate controls and switches. The car offers a plethora of storage space, cup holders and multiple sockets. The elimination of a manual handbrake meant that the space can be turned into lidded storage boxes, with a trinket tray in the dashboard opposite the front seat passenger, and a pocket for sun- glasses built into the roof trim. Its wheelbase is 3.25-inch longer than that of the Freelander resulting in a body design 10 inches longer and a higher roofline. The newly acquired space means more comfort and ease for taller drivers and pas- sengers. The reworked chassis and interior also adds the option of a third row seat, raising passenger capacity to 7. There are four trim levels to choose from – SE, SE Tech, HSE and HSE Luxury with heated seats, part leather trim, DAB radio, Bluetooth connection and climate control as standard features. Land Rover's infotainment system boasts an eight-inch screen offering a user- friendly interface. The touchscreen is very responsive and the controls easy to use. The Discovery Sport comes with the tried and tested SD4 2.2-litre diesel. The 190bhp promise a lot of engine noise, however the reworked sound-proofing turns the noise into a pleasant driving hum. A six-speed manual gearbox guarantees smooth shifting, capitalizing on engine revs, resulting in an 8.4 second 0-60mph sprint. The manual version claims 46.3mpg, while automatic option promises a less impressive 44.8mpg. The Discovery Sport steering is accurate and very responsive and allows you to park the large car with a certain conviction that all is under control. The electronically control- led permanent four-wheel drive sys- tem delivers what can be described as obsessive traction, thanks to its Terrain Response system. The driver selects the terrain mode and traction control system sorts the rest. How- ever the company should have also incorporated the MagneRide adap- tive dampers found on the Evoque. In the SUV world, the Discovery Sport has won brownie points for space, functionality and comfort. In these areas it surpasses most of its competitors, with the added excel- lence of bad weather driving and advanced technology. The new Discovery Sport can be seen at Muscat Motors Ltd, with prices starting at €55,900. PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS MANGION