the range rover sport plug-in hybrid electric SUV signals an electified future

from 2020 all jaguar and land rover vehicles will have the option of plug-in electric powertrains marking the next step in the british-automaker’s electrification journey. in addition to the petrol-electric hybrid vehicles, every range rover ‘sport’ now has an enhanced design and new technologies. the ‘SVR’ now delivers 575 hp, making it the fastest range rover to date with a 0 – 60 mph time of just 4.3 seconds.

all images © jaguar / land rover

the ‘range rover sport’ is jaguar land rover’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. badged ‘P400E’, the new hybrid model provides sustainable performance by combining a 300 hp (221 kW) 2.0-litre four-cylinder ingenium petrol engine with an 85 kw electric motor. the 404 hp (297 kW) total available power output – available from the permanent four-wheel drive system – delivers 0-60 mph in only 6.3 seconds (0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds) and a maximum speed of 137 mph. with an impressive electrified powertrain, the ‘sport P400E’ emits only 64 g/km of carbon emissions, and offers an all-electric range of 31 miles (51 km) without the petrol engine running. for the first time people can experience the british SUV with zero-emissions, near silent off-road luxury, and allowing entry into areas with restrictions for air quality.

the motor is powered by a 13.1 kW/h high-voltage lithium-ion battery. the 2.0-litre ingenium petrol engine is longitudinally mounted, with the 85 kW electric motor housed on the transmission at the centre of the vehicle along with the 7 kw on-board charger. the access point for the cable is at the front of the vehicle, while the 13 kW/h prism-shaped lithium-ion battery is mounted at the rear beneath the boot floor. when rapid charging, a full charge can be achieved in 2 hours 45 minutes at home using a dedicated or 32 amp wall box. the battery can be fully charged in 7 hours 30 minutes using the 10 amp home charging cable supplied as standard. with significant changes under the skin, the exterior has evolved to harmonise and modernise the design, making the range rover sport look more dynamic without changing its instantly recognizable character.

at the front, the striking new design is enabled by intelligent matrix pixel LED headlights, sitting alongside a redesigned grille. this is complemented by a new bumper with a more aggressive profile. the new pHEVmodel also includes access to the 7 kw on-board charger hidden behind the land rover badge on the right of the grille.

inside the cabin, the touch pro duo infotainment system called ‘blade’ by its developers is truly state-of-the-art. two high-definition 10-inch touchscreens form the centrepiece of the minimalist cabin, blending a futuristic, elegant feel with an intuitive, engaging interface and unrivalled functionality. in-car connectivity is enhanced with up to 12 power points, including two domestic plug sockets to keep laptops and other devices topped up. the introduction of the jaguar land rover activity key also brings new levels of convenience to the range rover sport, allowing customers to lock and unlock their vehicle without the need to carry a key fob – ideal for outdoor pursuits.

those looking for an ultimate performance SUV will relish the potent new ‘SVR’, which takes the range rover ‘sport’ into new territory. power is up to 575 hp, delivering the 0-60mph sprint in only 4.3 seconds, while bold design revisions and the increased use of carbon fibre construction make it more dramatic, faster and more agile than before.