Range rover offers two new ev models for niche buyers

RANGE Rover loyals wanting to go the electric route, without giving up the long-distance kilometre-gobbling capability of petrol power, now have two plug-in hybrid options to consider.

But, given Eskom’s supply woes, is now really the time to buy a vehicle that plugs into the grid?

At a stretch there certainly could be a niche for vehicles like this among well-heeled buyers who have gone off the grid with solar panels.

But back to the Rovers – what we have here are the Range Rover Sport P400e, priced at R1 639 300, and Range Rover P400e, yours for the more princely sum of R2 207 300.

Both are powered by a hybrid drivetrain that mates a 221kw 2-litre four-cylinder Ingenium turbopetrol engine to an 85kw electric motor for total system outputs of 297kw and 640Nm, according to Land Rover. With all hands on deck, the Range Rover can accelerate from 0-100km/h in as little as 6.8 seconds, according to claims, while the Range Rover Sport can do that dash in 6.7 seconds.

The electric motor is housed within the eight-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, alongside a 7kw on-board charger, while the lithium-ion batteries are fitted beneath the boot floor.

Behind the front grille badge you’ll find a socket – plug in and you’ll get a range of around 50km between charges, according to Land Rover. A full charge is said to take seven hours and 30 minutes using the standard home charging cable, however the optional 32 amp wall box can reduce the waiting time to two hours and 45 minutes.

Land Rover’s Terrain Response four-wheel-drive system has been uniquely calibrated to distribute torque from the electric motor and the advantage here is greater control during low-speed off-road driving.

The default driving mode combines petrol and electric drive, but drivers can make use of a “Save” function that prevents the battery charge from dropping below a preselected level and there’s a Predictive Energy Optimisation function, that works with the Satnav system, to optimise battery use. There is also an EV mode that allows the vehicle to run solely on electric power.

The Range Rover P400e is available in standard and long wheelbase guises, and offers an abundance of high-end features, including the “gesture sunblind” that can open and close with rearward and forward swipes in front of the rear view mirror.

Also available are Pixel-laser LED headlights, the Activity Key and front seats with Hot Stone massage technology, and up to 24-way movement. | IOL Motoring