Land Rover has unveiled the Discovery Sport, the replacement for the Freelander, which will go on sale in January 2015 - with a 119g/km version to follow.

The first member of the new Discovery family, Discovery Sport, features 5+2 seating in a footprint no larger than existing 5-seat premium SUVs.

“Our challenge has been to combine premium design with exceptional versatility; the two attributes must work in harmony,” said Gerry McGovern, Land Rover design director and chief creative officer.

“I’m proud to say we’ve achieved that; Discovery Sport’s dynamic design will resonate on an emotional level with consumers, and this vehicle is more versatile than any other premium compact SUV on the market.”

A host of innovations have allowed Discovery Sport to introduce the versatility of 5+2 seating into the premium compact SUV class for the first time. An all-new multi-link rear axle not only provides engaging driving dynamics but it also provides ample and flexible cabin space behind the second row.

Coupled with supple long-travel suspension, the innovative rear axle also ensures the Discovery Sport is comfortable, refined and rewarding to drive on-road, while retaining the breadth of all-terrain capability for which Land Rover is world-renowned.

With approach, departure and breakover angles of 25, 31 and 21 degrees respectively, Terrain Response technology, and the ability to wade to 600mm, Discovery Sport offers class-leading capability in all conditions.

A service plan will be available for Discovery Sport from launch in the UK, offering five years or 50,000 miles worth of servicing (whichever is sooner) at an Approved Service Centre, for a one-off fee of £499.

From launch in the UK, the new Discovery Sport will be equipped with the powerful and refined 2.2 litre SD4 turbodiesel engine producing 190 PS featuring stop-start technology, high-pressure direct injection, low-friction internal components and smart regenerative charging for outstanding performance and economy. Both 9-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmissions are available.

Later in 2015, a highly efficient two wheel drive eD4 turbodiesel engine will join the range with CO2 emissions from just 119g/km.

The Discovery Sport will be produced at Land Rover’s award-winning manufacturing facility at Halewood, Liverpool. It goes on sale in January 2015 in the UK alongside the existing seven-seat Land Rover Discovery.