A hot version of the Land Rover Discovery Sport SUV could be in development, based on these recent spy shots.
The new Land Rover Discovery SVX has been revealed
Caught in Scandinavia in last few weeks of the winter testing season, the Discovery Sport prototype has a newly designed nose cone. Autocar’s spy photographers also say that this test vehicle is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, making it almost certainly a prototype fitted with the JLR’s upcoming, all-new Ingenium unit.
The new Land Rover Discovery has been revealed - read more and get your first look here
But a combination of the subtly more aggressive styling of this nose cone and the extra air intake capacity hints at that this Discovery Sport could be powered by a performance version of the Ingenium petrol engine.
Although not radically different from that used by the current model, the new nose has a wider main air intake and narrower mounting area for the aluminium ‘bash plate’.
The air intakes on the front corners of the car are also bigger and shaped more like the auxiliary intakes used by the Range Rover Sport SVR and also featured on the new Evoque Convertible.
Close examination of the spy shots also seem to show small air intakes on the lower edges of the nose cone, which could well be cooling ducts for the front brakes. The slot-like air intake directly under the radiator grille is also noticeably slimmer than on today’s production car.
New Ingenium petrol with 298bhp
Hot versions are profitable niche
A hot Discovery Sport will be something of a departure for the Land Rover brand, but it’s clearly a profitable niche that cannot be ignored. Expect any production car to benefit from a subtle styling additions and more dramatic rear end, with a redesigned rear bumper and tailgate spoiler.
Bigger wheels - 20in at least - and brakes will also be used, and the interior will be significantly visually enhanced. All-wheel drive and the nine-speed auto ’box will be standard issue.
Pricing is expected to be north of £44,000 price tag demanded for the current HSE Luxury range-topping model. It’s likely that potential buyers of the first properly sporting Land Rover are unlikely to get much change from £50,000.
