Following the announcement of the new Range Rover Sport plug-in hybrid electric vehicle last week, the brand’s ICE to ACE journey continues, moving from conventional internal combustion engines to connected and electrified vehicles. The Range Rover P400e PHEV and Range Rover Sport PHEV models represent the first steps for Land Rover on the path that will see all new Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles launched from 2020 offering an electrified powertrain option.
The efficient new Range Rover P400e provides sustainable performance by combining a 296hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder Ingenium gasoline engine with a 114hp (85kW) electric motor. The 398hp total available power output – available through the permanent four-wheel drive system – delivers 0-60mph in 6.4 seconds (0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds) and a maximum speed of 137mph (220km/h).
With an impressive 472-lb. ft. of torque, the new powertrain delivers dynamic performance with traditional Range Rover capability, comfort and refinement.
The Range Rover P400e provides an all-electric range of up to 31 miles (51km) without the Ingenium gasoline engine running. For the first time, customers choosing the flagship Land Rover SUV can experience zero-emission driving.
Drivers of the new PHEV model can choose from two driving modes:
1. Parallel Hybrid mode (the default driving mode) – combines gasoline and electric drive. The driver can optimize battery charge or fuel economy by utilizing one of two charge management functions:
– SAVE function – prevents the battery charge dropping below a pre-selected level
– Predictive Energy Optimization (PEO) function – entering a destination in the navigation system enables the feature, which utilizes in built GPS altitude data for the selected route, to intelligently combine the electric motor and petrol engine to maximize fuel economy
2. EV mode – enables the vehicle to run solely on the electric motor using the energy stored in the battery, the ideal solution for quiet, zero-emission journeys
The powertrain’s precision and control make for serene progress in various conditions and terrains. The Land Rover Terrain Response technology has a unique calibration to intelligently and precisely distribute torque from the electric motor, which has no creep speed and is able to deliver maximum torque from zero rpm, to all four wheels. This gives greater control during low-speed off-road maneuvers, confirming the Range Rover brand’s outstanding breadth of effortless capability.
The Range Rover 2.0-liter Ingenium gasoline engine is longitudinally mounted, with the 85kW electric motor housed in the ZF automatic eight-speed transmission at the center of the vehicle alongside. The access point for the cable is at the front of the vehicle, while the prismatic cell lithium-ion battery is mounted at the rear beneath the trunk floor.
The new 2019 Range Rover PHEV model features a plug-in charge point behind a discreet panel on the grille, a 7kW on-board charger, and a charging cable. Based on market and type of hardware used, the Range Rover P400e is suited to deliver full battery charging overnight using a domestic plug socket.
The PHEV model is available with three types of cables and includes a home charging lead, which connects to domestic power supplies, as standard.
The public charging cable, which is compatible with AC wall boxes installed at domestic and business premises and service stations, makes it ideal for charging on the move.
Timed charging is also available via the vehicle’s infotainment system, which allows owners to choose the most appropriate time to begin charging – perfect for customers who want to plug in when they return home, but want to wait until a less costly energy price is available.
Owners can monitor the charging status via two illuminated strips that sit either side of the charging socket behind the grille. A white light signifies the vehicle is connected but indicates that charging has not started, while a blue light shows that timed charging is set but not underway. A flashing green signal shows the car is charging, while a solid green light indicates the battery is fully charged.
When customers are away from their vehicle, they can use the InControl Remote app to monitor the charge status, as well as receive an alert if there is an error, or the cable has been removed forcibly.
Designed and engineered by Jaguar Land Rover in the UK, the new Range Rover will be produced at the company’s Solihull production facility and is available to order now, with first deliveries from the end of 2017 (market dependent).
Range Rover P400e will go on sale next summer as a 2019 model in the U.S.
