TopGear - August 2015 PH

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SHAKEDOWN

compact SUV

the SPeCS

Price:

tba

engine:

2.0-liter Dohc I4

Power:

237hp @ 5,800rpm

torque:

340Nm @ 1,750rpm

transmission:

9-speed automatic

Layout/seating:

aWD/5

thirSt Meter

the VerDiCt

the Discovery Sport

looks and feels like a

winner. the only

question, really, is how

it will compare to the

German competition

in terms of price and

market positioning.

19 20

GeArBOX

we doubt the Rover faithful will mind.

While the gutsy crossover has

class-leading approach and departure

angles, attacking loose slopes and sur-

faces requires extra momentum and

technique, even with the familiar multi-

mode terrain-response system—sadly

reduced to small buttons on the dash

rather than a control puck as in other

Land Rovers. Though its lack of utter

unflappability is a bit of a letdown, the

Disco lets you do things you wouldn’t

dare do with your ordinary soft-roader.

And soft-roader the Disco is. Where

Porsche started making crossovers

for the soft-core to supplement its

sports-car line, Land Rover is making

crossovers to supplement its SUV line.

Maybe that’s old news to the dozen

or so people who actually bought the

Freelander, but with the Evoque and

the new Discovery Sport, Land Rover

is finally capitalizing on its heritage

and—dare we say it—sex appeal, going

after upmarket customers who would

more likely go somewhere else instead.

It’s very likely the Discovery Sport

will build upon the success of the

Evoque, this time matching substance

to style. The only question that remains

is whether this one-two punch in Land

Rover’s lineup will be able to beat the

Germans at their own game.

chunky-looking tiller actually a

handy size, with clearly laid-out

controls and paddle shifters.

there’s a crisp reconfigurable

digital screen that features an all-

wheel-drive graphical display.

New touchscreen’s sharp-looking

menus won’t look out of place on

a modern desktop display.

Retractable automatic transmis-

sion dial easy to use, but some-

times catches going into reverse.

cream-colored hide on the seats

is pliable and comfortable to sit

on. be a shame if it got dirty...

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LiFe ON the iNSiDe

the higher roofline means

there’s more headroom

for rear passengers

We spent more

time driving than

fiddling around

RIVAL

THE

audi Q5

Sportiness is still top priority,

not hard-core off-road

capability.

48 toP GEaR PhILIPPINES WWW.topgear.com.ph