- Discovery Sport unveiled in dramatic dynamic fashion on an 80‑metre barge on the River Seine in central Paris
- Surprise appearance from supermodel and actress Rosie Huntington‑Whiteley
- Unveil stunt featured seven pairs of giant Wellington boots to bring to life Discovery Sport's "5+2" seven seat versatility
- Discovery Sport to take over entire Land Rover stand during Paris Motor Show press day on 2nd October
The new Land Rover Discovery Sport made a uniquely British public debut today, ahead of the Paris Motor Show. A pair of Discovery Sport vehicles performed a dramatic dynamic debut aboard a giant barge on the River Seine to mark the arrival of the brand's new premium compact SUV.
The two Discovery Sports put on a true show of Land Rover capability, flanked by seven pairs of brightly coloured, giant‑sized Wellington boots ‑ created to represent the family‑friendly SUV's versatile 5+2 seating layout, along with Land Rover's unique take on outdoor life.
Fresh from the runways of Paris Fashion Week, Rosie Huntington‑Whiteley made a surprise appearance on Land Rover's own floating catwalk. Experiencing the new Land Rover's premium interior design and dynamic capability first hand, the British supermodel and actress played a starring role in the unveil, causing a media frenzy as she posed next to the Discovery Sport and a pair of 4.5‑metre Union Jack patterned Wellington boots.
After revealing Discovery Sport to the world's media for the first time, the 80‑metre long barge continued to turn heads on its attention‑grabbing journey down the River Seine, cruising past Parisian landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre‑Dame Cathedral.
Highlighting the significance of the new premium compact SUV, Discovery Sport will be the only vehicle displayed on the Land Rover stand throughout the first media preview day of the Paris Motor Show (2nd October).
"Designed and engineered to be the world's most capable and versatile premium compact SUV, this is a vehicle that will appeal not only to existing Land Rover customers but to a whole new group of people who may never have considered Land Rover before," said Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Design Director and Chief Creative Officer. "It is quite simply the most accomplished vehicle in its segment."
Land Rover sales continue to go from strength to strength after a record year for vehicle sales in 2013. Last year Land Rover set a new full‑year sales benchmark, retailing 348,338 vehicles ‑ up 15% ‑ and this year looks set to be another record breaker.
Discovery Sport will be produced at Land Rover's award‑winning manufacturing facility at Halewood in Liverpool and go on sale in 2015, alongside the existing seven‑seat Land Rover Discovery, in more than 170 markets worldwide.
ENDS
Note to editors:
Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Freelander, Discovery, 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.
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View the launch film with Rosie Huntington‑Whiteley here: http://youtu.be/bgqJLWyFsXY
For further information log on to www.media.landrover.com, download the press pack for iPad at www.landrovermediahub.com or contact:
Chris Thorp, Senior Manager, Global Public Relations, Land Rover
cthorp@jaguarlandrover.com +44 (0) 7990 084951
Natalie Brooks, Manager, Global Public Relations, Land Rover
nbrooks4@jaguarlandrover.com +44 (0) 7766 471562
