This is the first spy shot of the new Land Rover Discovery Sport’s interior. Land Rover confirmed at the 2014 New York Motor show that ‘Discovery Sport’ is the name destined for the vehicle due to replace the current Freelander in 2015.
Land Rover Discovery Sport: the very first interior shot
Range Rover styling is percolating throughout the Land Rover range, and the Discovery Sport interior is no exception. The physical (rather than virtually rendered) dials look identical to the Range Rover Evoque: two binnacled clockfaces bookending a central navigation, vehicle data and infotainment display.
The main touchscreen is larger than the outgoing Freelander’s – and hopefully more responsive. It’s bordered by buttons for the surround-view camera system, and shortcuts for the car’s main infotainment interface. The cabin-facing air vents have migrated under the screen, from their current position either side of the display.
This Discovery Sport mule runs a manual gearbox – our spy photographers say automatic models sporting Jaguar Land Rover’s rise-up rotary gear selector have also been spotted in recent weeks.
What do we know about the new Discovery Sport?
It’ll seat seven, thanks to a more space-efficient cabin than the outgoing five-seater Freelander. The Sport, based on the existing Evoque’s steel platform, albeit thoroughly reworked to be lighter and stiffer. The flagship new Discovery 5 – previewed by the Discovery Vision concept at the 2014 New York motor show – will switch to lightweight aluminium underpinnings.
Four-cylinder engines will rule the roost, but the new Jaguar XE’s ‘Ingenium’ powerplants aren’t likely to be ready in time for the Discovery Sport’s January 2015 debut. They’ll come on stream after April 2015, when Jaguar’s critical new sports saloon hits the market.