Land Rover has updated the Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque for 2021 with new engines, revamped infotainment and a special-edition trim.
Land Rover has updated the Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque for 2021 with new engines, revamped infotainment and a special-edition trim.
The newly introduced 2.0-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid diesel engine is said to deliver “smoother stop-start operation and optimised fuel economy” over the outgoing non-hybrid version, thanks to a 48V electrical system and regenerative braking.
The new Discovery Sport will land in Australia later this year and priced from $65,700 before on-roads, an increase of around $5000.
In its entry-level D165 guise, the new unit produces 120kW and 380Nm – subtle boosts over the old D150. It can be had with front-wheel drive or, along with the optional eight-speed automatic gearbox, four-wheel drive. This version is claimed to emit as little as 156g/km of CO2 in the Evoque and 163g/km in the larger Discovery Sport.
The D200, with 150kW and 430Nm, comes exclusively with the automatic and four-wheel drive, raising CO2 to 170g/km. It can propel the Discovery Sport from 0-100km/h in 8.6sec and the Evoque in 7.9sec.
Land Rover says the D200 engine uses higher-pressure injectors and low-friction components that bring internal resistance down by 17 per cent and its aluminium casing weighs 2kg less than that of the old unit.
The Discovery Sport has also gained a range-topping P290 turbocharged four-cylinder petrol option, making 213kW and 400Nm to give it a 0-100km/h time of 7.4sec. This is available exclusively with a nine-speed automatic gearbox in the new Black Edition trim.
This is based on existing R-Dynamic S but gains extra equipment, 20-inch alloy wheels, black exterior trim elements and an optional black or grey contrasting roof. It’s also the only variant to feature an Active Driveline system, which can operate in two-wheel-drive mode and diverts torque to the wheels with the most grip.
Furthermore, the Evoque has gained a new range-topping trim: Autobiography. Marked out by copper trim accents and badging, 21-inch alloys and matrix LED headlights, it can be had with multiple engines. Its extra kit includes quilted leather upholstery, a heated wheel, a panoramic roof and ventilated front seats.
Both cars get Land Rover’s new Pivi Pro infotainment system as standard. This supports wireless updates and can be paired with phone apps to pay for parking and join conference calls. It also includes integrated Spotify and, for the plug-in hybrid, can find nearby public chargers.
There’s also a 3D surround camera, which joins with a new Rear Collision Monitor and Rear Traffic Monitor with automatic emergency braking.
Land Rover’s Activity Key has been updated, gaining a new screen and losing the need for you to leave your key fob in the car while you’re wearing it.
In addition, a new Advanced Cabin Air Filtration option can automatically purify the cabin to cut the number of airborne pollutants, pathogens and allergens. An opening sunroof has joined the kit list, too.
Felix Page