The Updated Range Rover Sport now comes in hybrid.

Land Rover introduces a plug-in hybrid option: Range Rover Sport P400e

Good news! If you wanted the nobility and the imperialism that only a Range Rover could exude, but have grown conflicted given the recent fuel price increase, then Land Rover may be able to reduce the number of litres you need at R14 each. The answer lies in their new P400e Plug-in-hybrid model. The new model is in line with JLR’s ethos of electrification for their new models by 2020 and is the firm’s first attempt at a PHEV.

The Range Rover Sport P400e will ditch the larger displacement V6 and V8 Engines in favour for the 2.0-litre four-pot Ingenium petrol engine. This may initially be a scary thought, but thanks to an 85 kW electric motor mated to a 221 kW combustion engine, the P400e has a total output of 297 kW and an impressive amount of torque, at 640 N.m.

These figures are good for a 6.7 second 0-100 sprint time and a 220 km/h top speed. Enemies of progress will scream blasphemy, still grumpy that the V8 burble is gone, but should understand that this PHEV will match the previous generation Range Rover Sport in terms of sprint and top speed. Fuel consumption figures are impressive and, well, rather unlikely at 2.8 l/100km, but the JLR engineers have made adjustments to the Terrain Response 2 system that allow for seamless integration between the electric motor and the system.

Drivers can select from two driving modes:

The first is Parallel Hybrid mode, which allows for the petrol and electric drive motors to work together and to better fuel economy and offers a Predictive Energy Optimisation (PEO) that finds the most efficient routes to destinations. The second mode is a fully electric mode that allows for the Range Rover to function fully electrically for up to 51 km, on or off-road.  Charging times from home are a lengthy 7 hours 30 minutes unless one makes use of the Rapid Charging 32 Amp Outlet, reducing that time to a mere 2 Hours 45 Minutes.

The new Range Rover Sport

The most significant changes to the new range of Sports is the design, with the changes to the front end now incorporating the Pixel-laser LED headlamps and the new grille, which falls into a newer and more aggressive bumper. The interior will feature the new “Blade” Touch Pro Duo infotainment system which comprises of two High-definition 10-inch touchscreens that make up a single centrepiece. Key new features include a new gesture operated sunblind and advanced tow assist trailer control systems.

SVR performance SUV

The adrenalin junkies seeking more potency and fans of ridiculous levels of speed will be glad to know that the new Range Rover SVR will deliver 423 kW from the 5.0L JLR V8, and will be good for 4.5 seconds to 100km/h. More carbon fibre will help keep the weight down and enhancements to the oily bits will help vehicle dynamics and keep the SUV as agile as possible.