The L550 Land Rover Discovery
Sport has turned four. Originally unveiled at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, the
seven-seater SUV looks set to receive a midlife update, as seen with this heavily-camouflaged
unit that was photographed in Spain.
The changes appear to be rather drastic, going by
the chunkier front apron and bulging rear bumper. Also expected to change are
the headlights and tail lamps design, complete with new graphics. Inside, it’s
rumoured to share the luxurious new cabin of the second-generation Evoque,
which is almost similar to what you get with the more premium Velar.
What’s more surprising are reports suggesting that
the refreshed Discovery Sport will ride on the automaker’s Premium Transverse
Architecture (PTA), a heavily-revised version of its existing
aluminium-intensive platform that will underpin the upcoming Evoque. This
offers better ride comfort, a stiffer body structure and improved refinement.
The new platform also allows for electrification – a
plug-in hybrid variant of the Evoque will be introduced before 2020, featuring
a new 1.5 litre three-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid powertrain and a
lithium-ion battery pack, as well as a 48-volt electrical system.
The updated Discovery Sport is expected to go on
sale till 2024, after which its successor will move onto the new Modular
Longitudinal Architecture (MLA) platform, Autocar reports. It’s designed for
rear- and all-wheel-drive layouts, and allows for petrol and diesel mild-hybrid
powertrains, as well as plug-in hybrid and a full EV configurations.
Cr : Paultan
