New York show: Land Rover confirms Discovery Sport

LAND Rover’s replacement for the current eight-year old Freelander compact SUV will be called the Discovery Sport when in launches in 2015, the company revealed overnight.

The name change was formally confirmed at the New York motor show by LR design director and chief creative office Gerry McGovern. The company had already announced its intention to turn its Discovery nameplate into a family of vehicles.

The name follows Land Rover’s existing convention that began with the Range Rover and its Range Rover Sport derivative.

The UK-based off-road specialist, which is owned by cashed-up Indian conglomerate Tata, said the Discovery Sport would be positioned as a premium compact SUV much like the current second-generation Freelander.

The company is also set on keeping the rugged off-road abilities that in many ways define its brand, said Mr McGovern, adding that elements of the Discovery Sport’s styling would carry over from the decidedly upmarket Vision Concept being shown in the Big Apple.

“I am proud to confirm the nameplate that will make Discovery a family of vehicles for the first time,” he said.

“This will be the most versatile and capable SUV in its segment and is the first expression of the Discovery Vision Concept unveiled here in New York,” he said.

Little else is known about the Discovery Sport. It is unclear if the car will feature extensive use of aluminium like its Range Rover stablemates.

Following the launch of the Sport in 2015, Land Rover is expected to premiere the replacement for the current Discovery 4 large SUV in 2016.

European speculation suggests this model will be pushed further upmarket, creating space for a third member of the planned Discovery ‘family’ due around 2017.

Land Rover has not said how many members its Discovery family will ultimately have.