In its comparatively smaller SUV models Evoque and Discovery Sport Hybrid, Land Rover combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor. This drive is now also available as a plug-in hybrid with an enlarged battery. The Discovery thus continues to offer the usual comfort, as was shown on a trip that was apparently too short for reasons of concealment of consumption.

Niche existence without aristocratic charisma Between the “real” Range Rover and the stylish Range Rover Evoque, the Discovery ekes out a kind of niche existence. It doesn’t have the aristocratic aura of a Range Rover and not everyone likes the design, but it perfectly meets the demands with which the brand wants to be perceived. This also applies in its latest appearance as a plug-in hybrid model.

Once you have sat down on the comfortable seats, the differences soon become relative to the top model. A feel-good atmosphere is created thanks to soft leather, piano lacquer and wood veneer. In addition, there is a well-tuned chassis that copes well with the 2168 kilogram heavy SUV and smoothly filters away even rough road bumps. The adaptive damping works with vibration dampers, the fluid of which can be adjusted electrically to varying degrees of viscosity by applying voltage.

Electric drive on the rear axle The plug-in hybrid drive train consists of a 147 kW (160 PS) output 1.5- Liter three-cylinder, which drives the front axle, and an electric motor with 80 KW on the rear axle together. This results in a system output of 227 kW (309 PS) and a maximum torque of 540 Nm. The energy source for the e-machine is a 05 kWh battery with a maximum electrical speed of 135 km / h or a range of up to 55 should enable kilometers according to WLTP, according to NEDC it would be 61. A charging power of a maximum of 7 kW is possible on the wallbox, with direct current from fast charging stations it is up to 32 kW. This should mean an empty battery in around 30 Minutes to 80 percent to

High driving and drive comfort Three driving modes are available: Hybrid for an automatically controlled mixed operation, EV for battery-electric driving and Save to maintain the battery charge level. The interaction between the combustion engine, whose power is managed by an eight-speed automatic converter from ZF, and the electric motor offers the high level of drive comfort that one expects from a Range Rover. The resulting all-wheel drive helps with traction in fast corners and slippery surfaces. In addition, thanks to automatic control, it can also be used to stabilize the driving dynamics.

The energy source for the e-machine is a 15 kW battery. A charging power of a maximum of 7 kW is possible on the wallbox, with direct current from fast charging stations it is up to 32 kW. This should mean an empty battery in around 30 Minutes to 80 percent to fill his. After 6 , 6 seconds are reached 100 km / h and at 71 km / h, the propulsion is over. The three-cylinder surprises with a pleasantly rich sound, but the combustion engine allows itself a short respite below 2500 / min its full power unfolds and at high speeds it runs out of air. But this is only a character description, the 4, 60 Meter-long SUV can be moved quickly.

Consumption Land Rover gives an average consumption of 2.0 l / 100 Kilometers in the WLTP, we arrived with a full battery on a route that took us over country roads and small towns to 2.9 l / 100 km according to the on-board computer. As soon as the power storage is emptied, depending on the operating conditions, consumption of between eight and ten liters should be set.

For the new entry-level engine with the same three-cylinder, but only 118 kW (160 PS), gives Land Rover a consumption of 6.6 l / 100 km in the WLTP. Since the combustion engine in its two performance variants does not come within the range of its respective maximum performance in the consumption cycle, the cycle consumption of the PHEV with an empty battery should not deviate too far. Due to the higher recuperation capacity, however, it should be cheaper under certain operating conditions. In other words: The more powerful electric machine with a larger battery increases the spread between the achievable consumption extremes.

Blind spot warning now too active when stationary Jaguar Land Rover is also adding to the assistance systems for the new model year. New functions monitor the traffic behind the Discovery Sport and apply the brakes while reversing if a collision threatens. The whole thing is through an improved 309 – degree camera, which can be used up to a speed of 30 km / h a picture of the Throws environment onto the display. The blind spot warning is now active when the doors are opened, especially in built-up areas.

The infotainment system with the central ten-inch display has taken a necessary step in its latest expansion stage made forward. The Spotify music service is part of the system, in which two cell phones can now be connected via Bluetooth at the same time, and updates come wirelessly into the car. However, the operation is still not entirely intuitive and some functions can only be reached via detours. Egg