Land Rover's Newest Engine is an Electrified 3-Cylinder

Land Rover unveiled its newest engine, and it’s one that you’re not expecting: a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine. This becomes the cornerstone in Land Rover’s first-ever Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) in the form of the Range Rover Evoque P300E and Discovery Sport P300E.

The low friction, lightweight engine is joined by an electric rear axle motor giving it a total of 309 horsepower and 540 Nm of torque (the internal combustion engine alone delivers 200 horsepower). Together with a 15-kWh lithium-ion battery, it can run solely on electric power by up to 66 kilometers and return 71.42 km/L.

According to Land Rover, the Range Rover Evoque goes from 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, while for the Discovery Sport, the figure stands at 6.6 seconds. In both cases, it can use electric power at speeds up to 135 km/h.

For those who still go off-road, these PHEVs are designed to take some punishment. With new Premium Transverse Architecture designed to accommodate a plug-in variant from the get-go, the battery is protected by a 6-mm steel under tray. Furthermore, it’s packaged beneath the cabin floor without compromising interior space.

The placement even improves dynamics, lowering its center of gravity by 6 percent and further optimizing the front-rear weight distribution.

The engine is mated to a new 8-speed automatic. Not only is it lighter than the 9-speed gearbox used in other models, but it’s specifically designed to match the PHEV’s power and torque delivery.

2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport Loses 3rd Row Seats, Adds Value at P 4.490-Million (w/ Specs)

Coventry Motors Corporation (CMC), the exclusive Philippine distributor of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles, today unveiled the new 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport—a refresh of Land Rover’s best-selling compact SUV.

“We are thrilled to bring the new Discovery Sport, the latest addition to our product portfolio for the Philippine market. The new Discovery Sport pushes the boundaries of the premium compact SUV sector with an enhanced exterior design and transformed interior, which I’m sure our Filipino customers will love and appreciate,” says Chris Ward, President of CMC.

The 2020 Discovery Sport combines traditional Land Rover design cues such as the clamshell hood, rising beltline and tapered roof, but incorporates the newest familial details including the new grille, bumpers, and LED lamps on both ends. Also standard are larger, 20-inch rims shod with 235/50R20 tires.

Inside, the refreshed Discovery Sport adds more premium materials as well as the latest digital Touch Pro infotainment system. Things are capped off by the newly designed seats that provide better comfort and versatility through a second-row that folds and slides in a 60/40 split.

Feature-wise, the Discovery Sport loses the vestigial third-row seating (it can be ordered upon request), but in its place are features such as Qi Wireless Charging and a full suite of driver assistance systems such as Lane Keep Assist and Driver Condition Monitor.

Riding on the Premium Transverse Architecture (PTA), the 2020 Discovery Sport features a platform that’s 13 percent stiffer. Together with rigidly-mounted subframes, it further reduces NVH intrusions improving comfort, while maximizing safety in the event of a collision.

For 2020, the Discovery Sport is offered in an all-diesel line-up. All models come powered by the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Ingenium-series engine making 150 horsepower and 380 Nm of torque. A 9-speed automatic and a Driveline Disconnect feature in its AWD system (a power transfer unit at the front axle that disconnects drive to the rear wheels under steady state cruising) maximizes fuel efficiency.

All in all, the Discovery Sport remains every inch a Land Rover and with that, it combines all-terrain handling with all-weather capability including a water wading depth of 600 millimeters.

Alongside the Discovery Sport S trim, Land Rover Philippines is also adding the R-Dynamic variant. This special appearance package features unique bumpers, a Shadow Atlas script on the hood and tailgate, all-black seats with contrast stitching, and Diamond-Turned 20-inch alloy wheels.

Pricing for the 2020 Discovery Sport starts at P 4.490-million for the S 2.0L Diesel and tops out at P 4.790-million for the 2.0L R-Dynamic. It’s now on sale at the sole Jaguar Land Rover showroom along EDSA – Greenhills.