Angel or demon?
Jaguar Land Rover is covering every base with the PHEV hybrid and Sport SVR
BACK IN 1970, the original Range Rover was launched with a promo film called ACar
For All Reasons. Today, there are a lot more reasons to consider when choosing a car – emissions and taxation to name but two – which explains why JLR laid on a back-toback launch of the Range Rover PHEV (right) and Range Rover Sport SVR (top).
First, the PHEV: badged as the P400e, it’s a plug-in hybrid powered by a 2.0-litre, fourcylinder Ingenium petrol engine, while the Sport SVR has a full-fat 5.0-litre, 563bhp V8. We think we can guess which one Octane readers will gravitate towards, even though early orders suggest the PHEV will shortly account for 20% of all Range Rover sales.
The PHEV is quick, with performance second only to a petrol V8’s, and nor has its off-road performance been compromised by all the electrickery: it has a wading depth of 900mm. We suspect, however, that the PHEV will find greatest favour with city- dwellers. There’s no way to force charge back into the battery, and the range in full EV mode is only 30 miles or so. Surprisingly, the PHEV doesn’t use regenerative braking: ‘It’s designed to feel like a regular petrol or diesel to drive,’ said a spokesman. Sadly, the Ingenium engine just doesn’t sound like it belongs in a Range Rover.
Low-quality sound is not a criticism you can level at the Range Rover Sport SVR. Its exhausts make a fabulously visceral V8 throb, with a deep-chested note that’s more 1960s than 2010s, and you can pump up the bass line by pressing a button on the centre
console. Downshift the eight-speed auto using the flappy paddles and you’re rewarded with sexy pops and crackles on the overrun – this is far and away the best-sounding Range Rover ever.
It rides and handles superbly, too. Even in Dynamic mode, the ride quality is good: a little bit sharp at lower speeds but never uncomfortable. And – hallelujah! – the driver can separately adjust steering, suspension, throttle response and more, using a large touchscreen. There’s also a new head-up display, which is invaluable when off-roading because it shows which way the front wheels are pointing without you having to drop your eye-line down to the dashboard.
Off-roading? In a 563bhp Sport SVR? Absolutely. The test drive was planned so that a 150mph blat around JLR’s Fen End test track was followed barely an hour later by some serious mud-plugging on forest tracks made gloopy by heavy rain. The SVR was unstoppable, despite being on standard road tyres – drivetrain technology has made tyre choice largely irrelevant.
We’re not too keen on the SVR’s carbonfibre bonnet or trim options – exposed carbonfibre is so early 2000s, darling – but you can specify paint instead. And really, that’s about all we don’t like. The SVR drives superbly, sounds fantastic, and has a beautiful interior. This particular Range Rover genuinely is A Car For All Reasons.