Range Rover Hybrid and Sport Hybrid revealed

Range Rover is launching its first-ever hybrid models in the form of the new Range Rover Hybrid and Range Rover Sport Hybrid, which make their world debut next month at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show and go on sale overseas early next year. Both vehicles feature state-of-the-art diesel-electric hybrid powertrains.

The powertrain is common to both: a 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 paired in parallel with an electric motor integrated with the ZF eight-speed automatic already fitted across the line. Peak output of the system is 250kW of power at 4000rpm and 700Nm of torque, with the latter generated from as low as 1500 rpm and up to 3000rpm.

Note, the electric motor by itself generates 35 kilowatts and 170Nm of torque. This allows the vehicle to travel at speeds of up 48kmh on electric power alone, but only over a distance of about 1.6km. This mode, which is selectable by the driver, is purely for stop and start driving around town. The motor also acts as a generator under braking.

The total weight of the hybrid system, including the floor-mounted lithium-ion battery and inverter, is only 120kg, helping the vehicles maintain their strong performance and off-road capability. The Range Rover Hybrid weighs in at 2394kg while the Range Rover Sport Hybrid checks in at 2372kg.

They’re not exactly light but that makes the performance of their new hybrid system all the more impressive. Land Rover claims a 0-100kmh time of 6.9 seconds for the Range Rover Hybrid and 6.7 seconds for the Range Rover Sport Hybrid. Top speed is 218kmh and 225kmh, respectively. Combined fuel economy for both models, based on the European combined cycle, is 6.4L/100km, with CO2 emissions of 169g/km.

Importantly, both hybrids retain Land Rover’s peerless four-wheel drive system and work seamlessly with the computer-controlled Terrain Response 2 off-road system, and both offer uncompromised wading and ground clearance despite their floor-mounted batteries.

To demonstrate this capability, three Range Rover Hybrids will embark today on an epic trip, from the home of Range Rover production in Solihull, UK to the home of Land Rover’s parent company Tata, in Mumbai, India. The journey, which Land Rover has dubbed the “Silk Trail 2013,” will see the vehicles travel some 16,000km across 12 different countries. They are expected to arrive in Mumbai on October 15.

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