Land Rover has revealed a heavily revised version of its fleet favourite – the Discovery Sport – which gets a new mild hybrid engine line-up – and an all-new platform.

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Unveiled following the debut of the second-generation Evoque, the updated Discovery Sport retains its practical 5+2 seating and basic styling but be in doubt there’s more to this facelift than a new set of lights and bumpers.

Firstly, as with the new Evoque, this Discovery Sport now sits on Jaguar Land Rover’s Premium Transverse Architecture. This enables it to introduce 48-volt mild hybrid technology for all models bar the entry-level D150 diesel – bringing CO2 emissions as low as 144g/km and fuel economy up to 40.9mpg – along with a full plug-in version due next year. And thanks to the new underpinnings, the Discovery Sport is 13% stiffer than before, according to Land Rover.

The Discovery Sport is the next Land Rover recipient of the clever Clearsight Groundview and Clearsight Rearview technologies. Clearsight Groundview works via cameras in the grille and mirrors to project a view through the front of the car on to the central touchscreen. Clearsight Rearview makes use of an aerial-mounted camera, which projects an image to the rear-view mirror.

Outside, you’ll spot the facelifted Discovery Sport with its new lights front and rear, with their distinctive signature. There is also a new front grille, reshaped bumpers and changes to wheel fitment to improve the stance. Go for the sportier, range-topping R-Dynamic models and the changes are more obvious, with bespoke bumpers, a full exterior dechrome and colour-coding, plus up to 21-inch wheels.

Under the bonnet, it’s the RDE2-compliant front-wheel drive 150hp diesel – the only unit not using mild hybrid tech – that will bring the highest efficiency for fleets, offering emissions from 140g/km of CO2 and fuel economy from 47.8mpg (5.9l/100km) as well as exemption from the 4% BiK surcharge.

According to Wayne Darley, senior product marketing manager, R-Dynamic models will make up 70% of fleet sales, as they are available with the RDE2-compliant D150 engine.

Inside, the Discovery Sport takes a big step upmarket, with larger screens, a lifted centre console with stick shifter, reduced switches, improved quality materials – including a wood trim option for the first time,  as well as a new steering wheel and 25% more stowage than before.

The Discovery Sport is available to order now, in Sport, S, SE, HSE and R-Dynamic trims.  Pricing starts from £31,575, for the entry-level D150.