Range Rover And Range Rover Sport Plug-In Hybrids To Debut Later This Year

Jaguar Land Rover CEO Dr. Ralf Speth has revealed the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport will soon be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Speaking with Motoring at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Speth confirmed the models will be equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and "electric motors" that are powered by a lithium-ion battery pack.

The executive declined to talk performance specifications but the publication is reporting the Range Rover plug-in hybrid could have a combined output of 402 hp (300 kW) and 405 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque. More importantly, the model is expected to consume 3.0 L/100km (78.4 mpg US / 94.1 mpg UK) and have an electric-only range of approximately 50 km (31 miles).

If these numbers pan out, the Range Rover plug-in hybrid would be dramatically more fuel efficient than the standard model which has a 3.0-liter Si6 petrol engine that enables it to return an EPA-estimated combined fuel economy rating of 19 mpg (22.8 mpg UK / 12.3 L/100km).

The models will be introduced later this year and a debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show seems likely.

Following their unveiling, the plug-in hybrid powertrain is expected to spread to other Jaguar Land Rover products including the Jaguar XF and Range Rover Velar.

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