The Range Rover Sport having blazed a green trail already, its big brother the Land Rover Range Rover is now also going to be offered in a plug-in hybrid version for the 2019 model-year. Canadian consumers can expect it on our market by summer 2018.
The Range Rover P400e weds a 2.0L, 4-cylinder Ingenium turbo engine with an electric motor (fed by a 13.1kWh battery placed under the floor of the trunk) to generate up to 398 hp and prodigious torque of 472 lb-ft. Mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive, the new hybrid version can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. In all-electric mode, it has a top speed of 137 km/h and a range of up to 51 km. The automaker promises that the Range Rover’s legendary off-road capabilities will remain undiminished with the new powertrain.
The Jaguar Land Rover Group has previously announced that all new models it produces will by 2020 be offered in hybrid or electric versions.
New for 2018
In the meantime, buyers of the Land Rover Range Rover will get an updated and upgraded version of the popular model for 2018 that will offer more comfort and refinement, as well as a redesigned front grille and rear bumper.
Look for new, more ergonomic front seats (with heated armrests!) and a rear cabin section that has been extensively revised to maximize passenger comfort. Legroom there has been increased by 7.3 inches, the seat backs recline up to 40 degrees, and no fewer than 25 massage programs are included within the rear seats.
Tech upgrades are also on the menu: the new InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system – the most advanced in any Jaguar Land Rover Group model – includes a pair of high-definition 10-inch touchscreens. Up to 17 power outlets and ports as well as 4G wireless connectivity are available to occupants. In addition, the optional Land Rover Activity Key wristband allows owners of the 2018 Range Rover to lock and unlock their vehicle without a key – an essential feature in the eyes of many of the vehicle’s outdoors-loving target consumers.
The power sunroof can now be opened or closed via hand gesture in front of the rear-view mirror. Backing up with a trailer attached, meanwhile, is made easier by a new assistant integrated into the Terrain Response 2 system.
Engine choices include a 254-hp diesel V6 and a supercharged gasoline V8 that can deliver 518 or 557 hp depending on the trim level.
Base price for the 2018 Land Rover Range Rover has been set at $113,000.