WHEN Land Rover launched its replacement for the Freelander earlier this year it was met with nothing but positive feedback, but there was just one thing missing - an engine worthy of such a prominent vehicle.

That's because initially the Discovery Sport was powered by a somewhat dated and not particularly efficient 2.2-litre diesel powertrain.

But that has all changed now with the introduction of JLR's in-house designed and built four-cylinder 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine that is powerful, efficient and complies with all the Euro6 cleanliness standards.

The engine is available with two power outputs 150bhp or 180bhp. It is 24kg lighter than the outgoing SD4 engine and Land Rover claims it is up to 16 per cent more efficient.

The 150ps derivative can achieve a very creditable 57.9mpg with carbon emissions of just 129g/km. The only downside is that this particular engine is only available when mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and with five seats as opposed to seven to save weight.

We had the opportunity to try out the more powerful 180ps option on a lengthy road route that incorporated busy town centres, motorways and lots of twisting country lanes. We also put it through its paces on some of Eastnor Castle's punishing off-roading tracks.

For the road driving we drove an entry level SE model priced at £34,200 (£46,150 with options). This model can sprint from 0-60mph in 8.4 seconds and tops out at 117mph. It can deliver combined fuel efficiency of 53.3mpg with carbon emissions of 139g/km.

The first thing that impressed was how quiet and smooth the start-up is compared to outgoing models. There is far less vibration and juddering when pulling away and the cabin remains beautifully quiet even when the car is pushed hard.

The nine-speed automatic transmission works brilliantly with the new engine - it's both responsive and flowing as it eases through the gears. And you can take extra control via the steering wheel-mounted paddles if you wish.

The road-holding and all other aspects are still just as impressive as when the car was initially launched. It's a vehicle that offers great driving dynamics, excellent comfort levels and all the versatility one could wish for in a 5+2 seat vehicle. It has all simply got better thanks to the new powertrain.

The second vehicle for the road route was the range-topping HSE Luxury grade costing £43,000, which was increased to £47,475 with options. This model had identical performance stats to the first car, but boasted some additional on-board luxury.

Once again, the Discovery Sport was sharp, responsive and a pure delight to drive. The high seated position is a great benefit when driving along winding lanes as it offers a view over the hedgerows to see what's ahead - this is invaluable when tractors are darting out at all angles.

But once again, the engine was the star of the show delivering a punchy performance and despite being slightly less powerful than the outgoing 190ps engine, there was always a constant supply of power on tap.

And finally to the off-road part. Eastnor Castle offers some of the toughest terrain in the UK and has been a proving ground for Land Rover for many years. It is the ideal place to test a vehicle's capabilities to the limit.

We spent almost two hours tackling steep inclines, traversing muddy banks and wading through deep water with hidden rocks and dips beneath the surface. And the Discovery Sport was up to every challenge put in its path.

It's also worth noting that there were no additional features on the vehicle that we drove off-road - it was the HSE Luxury model on standard wheels.

But the Discovery Sport is a vehicle that can wade up to depths of 600mm, has an obstacle clearance of 212mm and boasts approach and departure angles of 25 and 31 degrees, so why would we expect anything but total success when faced with boulders to climb and rivers to cross.

All in all, the Discovery Sport is a fabulous piece of kit. It's practical, offers all the versatility and comfort of a luxury 5+2 vehicle and can tackle anything Mother Nature throws in its path along the way. And now it has the perfect engine to complete the package.