Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport gain PHEV tech

The new Range Rover Evoque is now available with a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variant which offers an electric-only range of up to 66km.

Badged P300e, the new Range Rover Evoque plug-in hybrid is based on Land Rover’s new Premium Transverse architecture, which was designed to support electrification while maintaining Land Rover’s signature off-road capability. The new plug-in hybrid P300e model joins the existing 48-volt mild-hybrid SUV in the range, bringing higher levels of efficiency to the premium compact SUV.

The new Range Rover Evoque P300e offers sustainable performance by combining a 147kW 1.5-litre three-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine with an 80kW electric motor integrated into the rear axle and powered by a 15kWh lithium-ion battery located below the rear seats. Combined, the hybrid powertrain delivers 227kW of power and 540Nm of torque. Drive is sent to all four wheels via a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

Performance and capability are uncompromised, with acceleration of 0-100km/h in just 6.4 seconds, while fuel economy is rated at a frugal 1.4L/100km. The EV only range is rated at 66km.

The new PHEV model is available with a Mode 2 Home Charging Cable, enabling customers to fully charge the vehicle from a plug socket in 6hrs 42mins, which is perfect for overnight charging. For faster charging, the Mode 3 Charging Cable enables customers to plug-in to a 7kW AC domestic wall box or AC public charge points. This enables charging from 0-80 per cent in just 1hr 24mins. The quickest charge times are achieved using the growing public charging network of DC charge points: at 32KW DC, 0-80 per cent takes just 30 minutes. The charge port flap is located on the rear fender – on the opposite side of the vehicle to the fuel filler flap.

Drivers can select from three driving modes to best suit their needs, whether they’re in the city or driving on the highway.

HYBRID mode (the default driving mode) automatically combines power from the electric motor and petrol engine. Entering a destination in the navigation system enables the Predictive Energy Optimisation (PEO) function to intelligently integrate route and GPS data to maximise efficiency and comfort for the selected journey.

EV (Electric Vehicle) mode enables the vehicle to run solely on the electric motor using the energy stored in the battery, for quiet, zero-tailpipe emission journeys.

SAVE mode prioritises the combustion engine as its main power source, maintaining battery State of Charge at the chosen level.

The same PHEV technology and drivetrain are also now available on the Land Rover Discovery Sport. The Discovery Sport P300e PHEV is capable of up to 62km of electric-only range, and a 0-100kmh/h sprint time of 6.6 seconds.

Both the Range Rover Evoque P300e PHEV and Land Rover Discovery Sport P300e PHEV are expected to be launched in Australia during second quarter 2021.

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