NEW VEHICLES
Unveiled: Range Rover Sport P400e – JLR’S first plug-in model
WITH JLR’S announcement earlier this year that electric variants of every model would be available by 2020, it was obvious we weren’t going to have to wait long for the first one. And here it is: the Range Rover Sport P400e.
The new model is a hybrid, combining a 2.0-litre Ingenium petrol engine with an 85kw electric motor. The 404 hp (297kw) total available power output available to the permanent four-wheel drive system delivers 0-60 mph in only 6.3 seconds and a maximum speed of 137 mph.
With an impressive 640 Nm of combined torque, JLR says the new powertrain mixes dynamic and sustainable performance with traditional Land Rover capability, comfort and refinement.
The Sport P400e emits only 64g/km emissions and achieves an impressive 101 mpg through the electrified powertrain when both petrol and electric engines are used on the combined cycle.
For the first time, Land Rover owners can experience zero-emission, near-silent driving, on and off-road, by opting to drive on battery only. But not for long. The all-electric range is just 31 miles before you either switch the petrol engine back on, or charge up the battery.
When rapid charging, a full charge can be achieved in as little as two hours 45 minutes at home, using a dedicated or 32 amp wall box. Unfortunately, this isn’t supplied with the car. What is supplied is a much less capable 10 amp home charging cable, which will fully charge the battery in a less-than-impressive seven hours 30 minutes.
Drivers can select from two driving modes to best suit their needs. • PARALLEL HYBRID MODE: This is the default driving mode and combines petrol and electric drive. The driver can optimise battery charge or fuel economy by choosing between two charge management options – Save (which prevents the battery charge dropping below a selected level) or Predictive Energy Optimisation (which uses GPS data to maximise fuel economy over a designated route). • EV (ELECTRIC VEHICLE) MODE: Enables the vehicle to run solely on the electric motor using the energy stored in the battery.
Land Rover’s Terrain Response 2 technology is calibrated to distribute torque from the electric motor to all four wheels, which JLR engineers hint is particularly impressive on low-speed off-road work.
Nick Collins, JLR’S Vehicle Line Director, said: “The new Range Rover Sport strikes a compelling balance between dynamic capability, passenger comfort and efficiency. The introduction of our advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain is a watershed moment in the history of our performance SUV.”
The motor is powered by a 13.1 kwh high-voltage lithium-ion battery. The 2.0 -litre Ingenium petrol engine is longitudinally mounted, with the 85 kw
electric motor housed on the transmission at the centre of the vehicle, along with the 7 kw on-board charger. The access point for the cable is at the front of the vehicle, while the prismshaped battery is mounted at the rear beneath the boot floor.
In addition to the new petrol-electric hybrid options, every Range Rover Sport now has an enhanced design and new consumer technology. The flagship SVR now delivers 575 bhp, making it the fastest Land Rover to date with a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds.
The Solihull-built Range Rover Sport has sold more than 732,000 since it went on sale in 2005. JLR UK Managing Director, Jeremy Hicks said: “The Range Rover Sport’s blend of performance, comfort, utility and off-road prowess make it the perfect all-round luxury vehicle.
“These 2018 updates make it an even more attractive proposition with CO2 emissions down to 64 g/km and a 101 mpg on the combined cycle, coupled with new infotainment technology making life simpler. Our efficient engines are our cleanest ever and remain utterly relevant today on our journey to electrification.”