Land Rover details new plug-in hybrids

Friday, 24 April 2020

Land Rover has revealed a new plug-in hybrid powertrain that will see duty in versions of the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport next year.

Designated P300e, the powertrain blends a 147kW 1.5-litre turbocharged triple with an 80kW electric motor mounted on the rear axle. All in, the system produces 227kW/540Nm, sent to all four wheels through a new eight-speed automatic.

A 15kWh lithium-ion battery offers 66km of range in the Evoque, which comes with a WLTP fuel consumption rating of 1.4L/100km and emits 32g/km of carbon. The larger Disco Sport has 62km of range and uses 1.6L/100km while emitting 36g/km.

Because it is smaller and lighter , the Evoque P300e is faster, has slightly more electric range and uses less petrol.

Acceleration is brisk for both, with the Evoque hitting 100kmh in 6.4 seconds compared to the Discovery Sport's 6.6s time. Top speed under electric power only is governed at 135kmh for both models.

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Both models also support three charging methods. A standard household wall outlet will fully juice the battery in just under seven hours while a 7kW AC point boosts charge from zero to 80 per cent in an hour and 42 minutes.

Finally, a 32kW DC charger will complete the same 0-80 per cent benchmark in half an hour.

Three driving modes will be available. Hybrid draws power from both sources, EV pulls the petrol engine out of the equation entirely and Save drops out the electric motor to preserve battery charge.

Pricing and local specifications will be confirmed closer to launch, which should happen sometime next year.