The chances of getting hyped-up SVR versions of the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque are looking pretty bleak, but all hope is not lost of getting more powerful versions of the SUVs.
The news comes as Land Rover->ke46 program chief Murray Dietsch told motoring.com.au that the automaker might still build higher-performance version of the Disco Sport and Evoque to square off against the Audi SQ5 and BMW X3 M and X4 M. Taking place in last week’s Iceland launch of the new Discovery Sport, the conversation centered around the future of Land Rover’s D8 Small Vehicle Platform which underpins both aforementioned JLR vehicles.
Dietsch told the Australian new outlet that, “Special Operations tends to have its eyes on certain segments and certain price points.” Motoring took that to mean an SVR-badged D8 vehicle would be simply too expensive to compete in its segment. I say it’s a great thing Land Rover is unwilling to slap a SVR badge on anything less than an all-out performance machine.
Regardless, it seems Dietsch isn’t against making more powerful versions of the D8 pair.
The current powertrain in both the Disco Sport and Evoque is the Ford-based 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 240 horsepower. A 281-horsepower version did debut last year at Geneva, but power outputs are likely to be beyond even that. The engine is said to soon to be released by a JRL-original, four-cylinder design that will allow for more power, likely cresting past the 300-horse mark.
Click past the jump to read more about Land Rover's future models.
Why it matters
Land Rover already has a hit on its hands with the Range Rover Evoque and will soon have another one with the 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport. Adding more horsepower while keeping fuel economy in respectable levels is always a good thing for business – especially in such a premium market. The added power will not only help the vehicles’ on-road performance, but will also help their off-road prowess as well.
Land Rover Discovery Sport
The 2015 Discovery Sport, like the Range Rover Sport, is a smaller, lighter version of the vehicle with its similar name. The clean-sheet design features plenty of heritage while still getting a look all its own. The Disco Sport still comes with Land Rover’s remarkable off-road capability and is likewise loaded to the gills with cutting-edge technology.
Currently under the Disco Sport’s hood is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 240 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to a ZF-sourced nine-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels, with the front axle getting the majority in regular driving situations.
Pricing for the new Discovery Sport is actually pretty reasonable. The base SE starts at $37,070 and the top-trim HSE Luxury starts at $45,570. Of course, the options list is full of expensive yet worthwhile add-ons.