Range Rover gets its first plug-in hybrid as the base models get a midlife facelift
Rivals for the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE feature 400hp-plus performance, while also being capable of driving on pure electricity for 50km.
Isit an evolution of the diesel hybrid?
No it isn’t. Like for most of its current competition, the Range Rover (and its Sport derivative, as pictured) feature a petrol-based hybrid whose electricity can be drawn from wall sockets. The main action from the so-called P400e comes from a 300hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-turbo engine. When combined with the electric motor, outputs rise to 404hp and 640Nm of torque. The 0-100kph acceleration time is rated at 6.8sec (6.7sec for the Sport).
The battery is of the lithium-ion type. The theoretical driving range in pure electric mode is 50km — the new minimum range many carmakers are eyeing today to satisfy China, the world’s biggest car market. All in all, that has shifted attention to vehicles with some kind of electrification.
While the hybrid in the P400e works similarly to systems found in other brands, one highlight is Predictive Energy Optimisation, whereby the driver can select a destination in the satnav system, allowing the car to automatically optimise operations of the internal combustion engine and electric motor. The exteriorl ooks slightly different…
That’s because the introduction of the brand’s firstever plug-in hybrid coincides with the base models’ midlife facelift.
Changes are very elementary, though, including new LED lights, bumper design and grille. The last aspect neatly conceals the charging point for the electrical system.
Some tweaks have also been made to the interior to bring all Range Rover derivatives (including those with regular petrol and diesel engines) in line with the new Velar. The notable changes include two 10-inch digital screens on the fascia and sun blinds that can now be operated via gestures made by users sitting in the cabin.
Is the P400e designed as the flagship version?
Land Rover had earlier announced that electrification would eventually appear in all models from 2020. But the real flagships of the two Range Rovers remain the SV Autobiography Dynamic and Sport SVR, with an old-school eight-cylinder motor.
Also as part of the midlife update, power for the Sport SVR’s 5.0-litre supercharged V8 has been raised from 550hp to 575hp to help improve the 0-100kph time from 4.8sec to 4.6sec. The SV Autobiography Dynamic has a slightly weaker kick at 565hp with a slower 5.4sec time.
But the Sport SVR isn’t the quickest SUV in its class. Porsche has just announced the Turbo version of its third-generation Cayenne, boasting 550hp twin-turbo V8 and 4.1sec acceleration time.
Nevertheless, the Thai Land Rover office will focus on the P400e when the cars are available for delivery early next year. Due to special taxes for plug-in hybrids in Thailand, expect prices to be very similar to the outgoing diesel hybrid, which went for 7 million baht in Premium trim and an additional 1 million baht in Luxury spec for the Sport. In fact, this is the price range of the Cayenne plug-in hybrid in second-gen form.
The earlier Range Rover hybrid cost 10 million baht in regular Autobiography trim.