The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 45: Oct/Nov 2019 | Page 32

REVVED UP
The Land Rover Discovery
There is not much that can be said about the Land Rover Discovery
and its more recent sibling Discovery Sport that hasn’t already been
written over the years and the vehicle continues to go from strength
to strength.
The latest models take this now almost
legendary name to greater heights with a
range of enhancements and technology
upgrades. We use the term legendary
because since its introduction in 1989 this
big SUV has proved its credentials on and off
road, where it is virtually unbeatable. Here’s
the latest on this great family-sized car.
THE DISCOVERY
It’s a big car, that’s for sure; the flexible
interior provides seven full-sized adult
seats which are instantly configurable
to accommodate any load. Best of all,
the seats can now be adjusted from a
smartphone using Land Rover’s world-first
remote Intelligent Seat Fold technology.
That will save some trapped fingers.
The semi-autonomous safety technology
in the Discovery provides the family peace of
mind whilst the premium interior combines
class-leading design with durable, high-
quality materials and space for the whole
family.
As ever, Land Rover’s full-sized SUV
delivers world-beating all-terrain capability
making the Discovery unstoppable on all
surfaces, all terrains and in all weathers. It
is lighter too with aluminium construction
which saves no less than 480kg, making the
car more fuel efficient and reducing CO²
emissions to a low of 171g/km, model and
engine dependent of course.
Power comes from the all-new super-
clean Ingenium family of engines with the
latest offering 238bhp via a four-cylinder
turbo-diesel with a mighty 500Nm of torque.
This sort of torque makes the Discovery
the king of all the tow-cars with a best-in-
class 3,500kg towing capacity and semi-
autonomous Advanced Tow Assist which
helps take the stress out of difficult reversing
manoeuvres.
The design may have been updated for
the modern world yet still retains those
key Discovery attributes with space for all.
There’s room for up to 2,406 litres of luggage
space with seven seats as standard in the UK
specification with clever storage throughout
for those family essentials.
Ingenious features that make life easier
include up to nine USB ports, four 12-volt
charging points and an in-car WiFi hotspot
for up to eight devices. That’s staying
connected 21st century style.
THE DISCOVERY SPORT
The Discovery Sport is a striking evolution
of the original that does not compromise
capability. Demonstrating versatility, the
spacious, more comfortable and quiet
5+2 interior has been transformed with
a completely new infotainment interface
and all the latest connectivity. Additionally,
there’s a more flexible seating arrangement
with up to 24 combinations. Under the skin,
new electrified engines include a 48-volt
mild hybrid to help reduce emissions and
fuel consumption in for the 21st Century.
The Discovery Sport remains every inch
a Land Rover, combining the same assured
all-terrain handling with all-weather
capability. All-Wheel Drive and a second-
generation Active Driveline system (engine
output dependent) couples with Terrain
Response 2 which automatically detects the
surface and adjusts the torque delivery to
best suit the conditions. Advanced Tow Assist
makes reversing with a trailer (up to 2,500kg)
more intuitive and safer than ever.
As with the regular Discovery there is a
reversing camera as standard on all models,
alongside a suite of available advanced driver
assistance systems. These include optional
Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist,
which centres the vehicle in the lane based
on road markings as well as maintaining
a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
Standard safety features include Lane Keep
Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking and
Driver Condition Monitor. The Discovery is
the car that really can do it all and do it well.
Written by Geoff Maxted
www.drivewrite.co.uk
@DriveWrite
Pebley Beach launches ‘Go Green’ car site
Swindon motor dealer Pebley Beach has
launched a green car sales brand to promote
low-emission vehicles.
Go Green is a physical and online area
for the sale of used cars that emit less
than 100 grammes per kilometre of CO 2 .
As cleaner engines, hybrids, and
electric vehicles filter into the used car
market, the CO2 bar to Go Green entry will
be lowered.
The launch of Go Green is one of a
number of initiatives made by Pebley
Beach to lower its carbon footprint, and
help customers to reduce their own
impact on the environment.
This summer, the firm ceased its use
of screen wash in plastic bottles, opting
instead for tablets that can be mixed on
premises. The move will save 5,000 250ml
plastic bottles a year.
The Hyundai and Suzuki dealership
is also phasing out the use of printed
brochures, pointing customers to its
website instead.
The glossy brochures are not easily
recyclable and become obsolete whenever
the price or specification of a vehicle
changes.
It is also discontinuing the use of
single-use plastic seat protectors when
cars come in for a service or MOT,
relying on reusable covers instead. And
it is scrapping chemical-based interior
protection treatments to a water-based
solution.
The company has also signed a deal
with Haven Power to meet its energy
needs with certified wind- and solar-
generated electricity.
Managing Director Dominic Threlfall
said, “One hundred years ago, the
industrialist Henry Ford told customers
they could have the Model T Ford in any
colour – so long as it was black. The
motor industry has taken great strides
towards more sustainable motoring, so
today we’re able to tell customers they
can have a new or used car in any colour –
so long as it’s green.”
Come in and see a future mobility solution
Pebley Beach Hyundai West Swindon Motor Park, Swindon SN5 7SB 01793 816800
www.pebley.co.uk
Watch the NEXO showcase video here: pebley.uk/nexo
32
www.tbeswindonandwilts.co.uk