The Land Rover Discovery Sport, Freelander’s replacement, may well make its way into the showroom, latest developments indicate. The Discovery Sport’s latest engineering mules have been seen hitting the streets. The Discovery Sport is slated to be revealed later this year.
This latest test car was was spotted by an Autocar UK reader near Loughborough, and sits on a modified Range Rover Evoque platform. The new Discovery Sport is the first model to appear in the new expanded Land Rover Discovery range. The Discovery Sport name was recently confirmed at the New York motor show.
Although only available as a five-seat model initially, a seven-seat version will join the range soon after its launch. Recent pictures have also shown the larger, seven-seat model winter testing with elements of its rear body uncovered. In particular, a new rear light cluster design can be seen.
The first Freelander replacement models will be sold from launch with diesel versions of JLR's new range of super-frugal four-cylinder engines, dubbed Ingenium, which are being built at a new plant near Wolverhampton. These engines will also power Jaguar's upcoming 3-series rival, the XE. A range of petrol models will hit the market from autumn next year after the initial diesel models.
The Freelander is Land Rover's best-selling model. The Freelander 2 was launched in its current form in 2006 and was given its latest mild makeover in 2013. The replacement promises to be a significant step forward from the current Freelander, offering greater wading depth, better interior packaging and much-improved boot space.
The new car is based on the same LR-MS platform as the Evoque. It was developed from the Ford EUCD platform that underpins the current Freelander, although Land Rover says 90 percent of the parts are new.
Previewed by the Discovery Vision Concept, Land Rover is hoping to push its SUV upmarket. Speaking at the New York motor show, the firm's design boss Gerry McGovern said: "This will be the most versatile and capable SUV in its segment and is the first expression of the Discovery Vision Concept."