• Land Rover shines spotlight on suite of advanced technologies in existing Discovery Sport designed to enhance passenger safety, comfort and convenience
• Combination of 43 sensors measure everything from cabin air quality and solar intensity, to windscreen mist and rain
• Innovative stereo video camera scans road ahead and recognises vehicles, lanes and even road signs

Sydney, Australia, 13 October 2015 - Now available in 170 global markets, Land Rover's Discovery Sport has already attracted 40,000 customers around the world with its combination of contemporary design, outstanding versatility and advanced engineering. 

Advanced technology is integrated throughout, including a handful of discreet features delivered through a network of sensors which measure everything from the intensity of the sun's rays and air quality in the cabin, to windscreen mist and rain - without any input from the driver.

Sun Load Sensor

The Discovery Sport features a sun load sensor on the dashboard that measures the intensity of the sun's rays every 200 milliseconds, automatically adjusting the air conditioning to counteract solar gain through the windscreen.   

When driving out of the shade into the sun, the system imperceptibly increases the output of the air conditioning, even taking into account the angle of the sun to combat its effect on cabin temperature. Cabin humidity is also measured, with the air conditioning finely adjusted to achieve the programmed temperature.

The flexible 5+2 seating of Discovery Sport features face-level air vents in second row seats to maximise the effects of the climate control system. An auxiliary air conditioning unit in the third row seats, also offering face level vents, is available for optimum performance in hot climates.

Sensing its Surroundings

The Discovery Sport is available with Dual Zone climate control with an air quality sensor, which monitors humidity and smog levels.

Once it detects high pollution levels, the system switches automatically to re-circulation mode. Rain sensitive wipers activate autonomously according to the conditions, while a sensor fitted to the windscreen automatically detects and clears windscreen misting.

In the event of driving through water, ultrasonic sensors fitted to the underside of the door mirrors measure the distance from the mirror to the water surface. The Wade Sensing control unit then calculates the depth of the water, taking into account any forward or backward tilt of the vehicle, before displaying the depth on the touch screen, emitting an audible warning signal to warn that the vehicle is approaching its maximum wading depth.

Stereo Camera

An advanced stereo camera mounted alongside the rear view mirror scans the road ahead looking for vehicles as potential obstructions. The 3D imaging camera covers a 50-degree horizontal field of vision and spans up to 50 metres.

When a car is identified, the camera - which is no larger than a key fob - monitors the vehicle ahead and will automatically apply the brakes should a collision be deemed unavoidable, a feature known as Autonomous Emergency Braking.

The camera system also 'reads' global road signs\* for speed limits, subtly notifying the driver on the instrument cluster if the speed limit is exceeded. It can also detect when the driver is leaving a lane without signalling, vibrating the steering wheel to warn the driver accordingly.

High Beam Assist

The stereo camera also automatically activates and dips the beam to avoid dazzling other road users when an oncoming vehicle is detected. This 'High Beam Assist' function dips the headlamps within 500 milliseconds - faster than a traditional driver-operated switch.  

Similarly, the auto-dimming rear view uses two sensors and instantly adjusts to maintain the optimum brightness to ensure another vehicle can't dazzle the driver. A forward-facing sensor in the rear view mirror can measure the amount of light available to the driver, while a second rear-facing sensor scans up to 1,000 metres behind, monitoring the lights of upcoming vehicles.

For example, on dark rural roads the front sensor detects the low level of ambient light and can recognise that the driver will be more susceptible to glare. If the sensor then detects a vehicle behind with bright lights, the mirror will be darkened. If the driver is in a well-lit city, the mirror will only fade by a small amount.

4WD to 2WD switching

Active Driveline improves vehicle efficiency and dynamics by automatically switching to two-wheel drive and disconnecting the rear drive shafts at constant cruising speeds above 35 km/h. However, if the system detects a loss of traction, or the driver accelerates hard, the system can switch to four-wheel drive in 300 milliseconds - a change so seamless that the driver is unable to detect where the power is being sent.

The system is also able to fine-tune torque delivery to the outside or inside rear wheels to suit the conditions, providing superior cornering capability. Drivers can see the real-time distribution of engine torque using the advanced 4x4i function on the vehicle touchscreen. 

ENDS

\* Dependent on market availability

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Editors Note:
Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's 4x4 sectors, with 80% of this model range exported to over 170 countries.