What is it?
Up to this point, our enjoyment of the otherwise impressive Discovery Sport has been spoiled a little by the sole occupant of its engine bay. With Jaguar calling dibs on the first Ingenium motors off the production line, Land Rover’s compact seven-seater was stuck with a venerable 2.2-litre oil burner, a relic of the not so distant past when Ford signed the cheques at Gaydon.
For as long as that engine remained, we urged caution, suggesting patience would be rewarded by the virtues of the all-new, incoming 2.0-litre unit. Well, that time has come: the Sport is the first Land Rover to receive the EU6-compliant Ingenium (it migrates to the Evoque next) and almost all the important figures shrink or swell accordingly.
There are two versions to choose from: a 148bhp example dubbed ‘E-capability’ that comes with admirably low 129g/km CO2 emissions - and doubtless a very small customer base because it can’t be had with seven seats or the nine-speed automatic gearbox - and a 178bhp variant tested here which will have both these things, and be bought by almost everyone despite its necessarily higher 139g/km.
For the record, that’s a 27g/km reduction compared with the outgoing motor, and less than Audi or BMW quote for a Audi Q5 or an BMW X3. It’s a similar story regarding fuel economy where the Sport’s wishful, official 53.3mpg marginally outstrips the figures claimed by the same rivals.
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There is no such thing as a nice 4 cylinder diesel.
Who makes a 'great' 4 cylinder diesel ?
VW does quite well
VW not very economical
An improvement...But not as much as it should be?
Now my intention is to buy a new Evoque because I just think the Discovery Sport is just too dull and boring inside and out...I am sorry but I do not see this stylish wonder that others seem to..it just looks...DULL but it happens that today I was at my Dealership watching a delivery of current Discovey's and Discovery Sports. Yes the new engine is quieter but..well....it is not a thing of joy either..it sounds dull and just good enough. The old 3.0Sdi engine in the Discovery's was in comparison...wonderful!
So I just wish LR would make a 3.0Sdi Evoque..PLEASE...at a current £52000 on the the road surely you could afford it and what an advance it would be!!!
Corrections!
..read "turbo lag" and "....it has vibrated happily fom new..." Also...I would say the new engine from listening on the pavement sounds better than the Audi/BMW/Mercedes competition but it is still not far fom listening to a Ford Transit..no hushed idle from this four cylinder....no only a six cylinder diesel is capable of aural pleasure. So yes LR..get that engine fitted please so premium personal buyers can have a nice car and leave the four pots to the Fleet buyers!