Land Rover Discovery has pulling power | Car Talk - Car News Jun 2016

15:03 Friday 17 Jun 2016

Land Rover has given a spectacular demonstration of the UK-built Discovery Sport’s towing prowess by using it to haul over 100 tonnes of railway carriages.

The Discovery’s 178bhp Ingenium diesel engine and drivetrain remained unmodified for the stunt in Switzerland where it was used to tow three carriages along a 10km route. With Terrain Response, Tow Assist, Tow Hitch Assist and All Terrain Progress Control – a semi-autonomous off-road driving system that automatically manages engine output and braking – all standard features, the 9-speed automatic Discovery Sport was able to tow the hundred-ton plus load, dramatically exceeding its official certified maximum towing weight of two-and-a-half tonnes. The only modification required was the fitment of rail wheels.

Karl Richards, Lead Engineer for Stability Control Systems at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “Towing is in Land Rover’s DNA, and despite Discovery Sport being the smallest model in the range, it has proved its exceptional towing capabilities. Over the years, we have introduced game-changing towing technologies to take the stress out of towing for our customers. I’ve spent most of my career travelling to the most punishing parts of the world to test Land Rovers in gruelling conditions, yet this is the most extreme towing test I’ve ever done.”

The current Discovery Sport joined the Land Rover line up at the end of 2014, with UK prices starting from £31,095. The efficient Ingenium 2.0-litre diesel engine delivers up to 57.7mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 129g/km.