The guys from Autocar magazine headed to Iceland recently to take part in the first press drive event JLR hosted for the new Land Rover Discovery Sport. The choice of location is really clever, as the snow and ice-covered roads not only challenge the car’s off-road capabilities, it also gives it onboard safety systems a chance to prove themselves to the journalists.
There is no doubt the new Disco is as capable as it is advertised on the tin, but we can’t help but think it could be a bit better looking, especially around the back.
Land Rover Discovery Sport main off-road and safety features:
- Hill Descent Control® (HDC) maintains a set speed while negotiating steep inclines off-road
- Gradient Release Control® (GRC) progressively releases the brakes when moving away on an incline for maximum control
- Roll Stability Control (RSC) designed to detect the onset of a rollover and applies the brakes to the outer wheels to bring the vehicle under control
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) corrects oversteer and understeer by reducing engine torque and/or applying brakes to individual wheels
- Electronic Traction Control (ETC) reduces torque and/or applies a braking force to individual wheels to prevent wheelspin
- Engine Drag Torque Control (EDC) helps to prevent lock-up under heavy engine braking in slippery conditions by increasing engine torque to the affected wheels
- Optional Park Assist identifies suitable parallel and perpendicular parking spaces, allowing the driver to operate the accelerator, brake and transmission while the vehicle autonomously steers on both entry to and – in the case of parallel parking spaces – exit from the space. Parking sensors offer additional assistance
- Optional Lane Departure Warning is designed to gently vibrate the steering wheel to warn a driver who may be unintentionally drifting out of a lane
- Optional Traffic Sign Recognition is designed to monitor road signs and displays a reminder of the speed limit or overtaking regulations on the navigation screen
- Standard Trailer Stability Assist detects trailer instability and brakes individual wheels to help the driver correct a potentially hazardous situation
- Standard Tow Assist and Tow Hitch Assist use a camera system to help the driver hitch a trailer and predict its path while reversing
- Standard automatic headlamps and rain-sensitive wipers activate autonomously according to conditions
