Hybrid diesel Range Rover and Range Rover Sport coming

[umbertob]

Order in September, deliveries early next year... But will they make it to the North American market?

• World’s first premium diesel SUV hybrids introduced by Land Rover
• Hybrid powertrain for Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models
• 26 per cent lower CO2 emissions (169g/km) and 44.1mpg (combined)
• Outstanding performance with 340PS and class-leading 700Nm torque
• Uncompromised cabin comfort and load space, with enhanced refinement
• Hybrid capability to be demonstrated on 16,000km Silk Trail expedition to India
• Order books open from September 10, with first deliveries in early 2014

Whitley, UK, August 21 2013 – Land Rover is launching its first-ever hybrid models – the Range Rover Hybrid and Range Rover Sport Hybrid – which will deliver outstanding fuel economy, significantly lower CO2emissions and retain Land Rover’s renowned capability and performance. Order books in the UK will open from September 10 with first deliveries in early 2014, the two all-aluminium models are based on Land Rover’s Premium Lightweight Architecture and share an identical powertrain. They are the world’s first premium diesel SUV hybrids.

“We are excited to introduce the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Hybrids, the world’s first hybrid SUVs with legendary Land Rover capability. The addition of a smooth electric drive enhances refinement, cuts CO2emissions and delivers staggering performance on a par with our SDV8 engine,” said John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director.

To demonstrate the capabilities of the new hybrids, three Range Rover Hybrids will embark tomorrow (Thursday, August 22) on an epic trip, from the home of the Range Rover brand in Solihull to the home of the parent company Tata, in Mumbai, India.

This ‘Silk Trail 2013’ 16,000km expedition visits 12 countries and takes in some of the world’s most challenging roads, passes and trails, including part of the ancient, 4,000 mile Silk Road connecting Asia with the Mediterranean. These are the first hybrids to ever attempt this challenging route.

The new Range Rover Hybrid powertrain features three driver-selectable modes and combines Land Rover’s popular 3-litre SDV6 diesel engine with a 35kW electric motor integrated with the 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. The hybrid system, including lithium ion battery pack, inverter and electric motor weighs less than 120kg.

The electric motor produces 170Nm torque to boost acceleration and drives the vehicle in EV Mode. The motor also acts as a generator, harvesting kinetic energy through regenerative braking, charging the battery when the vehicle is slowing. In driver-selectable EV mode the Range Rover Hybrid can travel at speeds of up to 30mph (48km/h) for a range of up to one mile (1.6km) before the diesel engine seamlessly restarts.

Together, output of the diesel engine and electric motor is 340PS at 4,000rpm and a class-leading 700Nm torque between 1,500-3,000rpm, resulting in stunning SDV8-style performance. Both models accelerate to 62mph (100km/h) in under seven seconds, deliver strong transient and mid-range performance with a top speed of 135mph (218km/h), combined with a 26 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions to 169g/km, equivalent to 44.1mpg on the combined cycle.

The latest generation Range Rover models have all been designed with the integration of a hybrid system in mind. Consequently, the liquid cooled battery pack is mounted beneath the floor of the vehicle in a protective boron-steel cradle without impacting on the cabin or luggage space. The Range Rover Hybrid has the same five-seat capacity and luggage space as the standard vehicle and retains the full-size spare wheel. This no-compromise philosophy is echoed in the Range Rover Sport Hybrid whose interior is unchanged from the standard model, right down to the 5+2 seating.

Both hybrid Range Rover models continue to deliver a class-leading breadth of capability and versatility, enhanced by the exceptionally linear torque delivery from the powertrain and retaining Land Rover’s peerless four-wheel drive system including Terrain Response® 2, with uncompromised wading and ground clearance.

The ‘Silk Trail 2013’ expedition featuring the new Range Rover Hybrids is scheduled to visit France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China and India. The expedition will be broken into 10 separate legs, with the Range Rover Hybrid vehicles driven by teams of Land Rover development engineers and invited media – arriving in Mumbai on October 15.

Technical Specifications

Range Rover Hybrid Range Rover Sport Hybrid​

Engine type

3.0 SDV6 HEV 3.0 SDV6 HEV​

Power PS/rpm

340PS@4000 340PS@4000​

Torque Nm/rpm

700@1500-3000 700@1500-3000​

0-62mph / 0-100km/h secs

6.9 6.7​

Top speed mph (km/h)

135 (218) 140 (225)​

CO2 Combined g/km

169 169​

Combined consumption mpg (L/100km)

44.1 (6.4) 44.1 (6.4)​

Weight From… kg

2394 2372​

 

[Scott Brady]

I like the hidden winch mount. The Silk Road is perfect for the RR

 

[haven]

A diesel Range Rover is unlikely for USA until the emissions rules for Europe and USA get a little closer to each other. I'd guess 2016 model year. A gasoline-electric hybrid could come sooner, but there is no mention of this in the press release.

A little more here
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/115359-Range-rover-diesel-hybrid-on-the-Silk-Road

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

More on this:

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/08/21/land-rover-announces-range-rover-hybrids/

d

 

[Eniam17]

Given our increased oil output in the US over the next decade, and a declining dependence as we become more energy efficient, I think gas prices will eventually fall and we will be even less likely to see a Diesel option here. Let's face it - not many people buying new Land Rover's in the United States care about gas mileage even at 4 dollars a gallon. They won't care at 5 or 6 per gallon either for the most part so I don't see LR even bothering with diesels for the US market anytime soon.

 

[haven]

"not many people buying new Land Rover's in the United States care about gas mileage even at 4 dollars a gallon"

Maybe so. Car manufacturers, on the other hand, need to improve their fleet mpg. They want to avoid the stigma of the "gas guzzler" penalty tax. A V6 diesel with electric assist gets close to double the mpg of a gasoline V8 of similar power.

 

[Eniam17]

That's a great point, they definitely have to something about average mpg of the whole fleet to meet upcoming requirements so maybe we will see a diesel or diesel hybrid.

 

[proper4wd]

I can tell you first hand, its not just "expo" folks who appreciate diesel for its benefits (some of which are quite subjective). I would say on average, I field the diesel question 5-6 times per month. "Is this available in diesel?"

The Audi Q7 is a lackluster SUV product, yet the same people tell me they check it out strictly because it is diesel. BMW seems to do quite well with the X5 diesel as well (I see one or two per month come through, usually the owners wont back down to V8 fuel mileage).

The days of "people who buy these things dont care about gas mileage" is seriously over. The grand idea of environmental and social responsibility has taken hold even at the higher income levels and the only thing better than driving a Range Rover is driving a Range Rover that gets 30mpg and is 100% carbon offset (talking points at the cocktail party).

 

[ZG]

I like the hidden winch mount. The Silk Road is perfect for the RR

Woahwoahwoah Scott... I think you mean the Silk TRAIL! The Silk Road is a very, very different thing.

 

[David Harris]

Mmmm. . . On second thought, throw some better tires on there and I can see a couple of those running the Darien.

 

[greynolds]

I can tell you first hand, its not just "expo" folks who appreciate diesel for its benefits (some of which are quite subjective). I would say on average, I field the diesel question 5-6 times per month. "Is this available in diesel?"

The Audi Q7 is a lackluster SUV product, yet the same people tell me they check it out strictly because it is diesel. BMW seems to do quite well with the X5 diesel as well (I see one or two per month come through, usually the owners wont back down to V8 fuel mileage).

The days of "people who buy these things dont care about gas mileage" is seriously over. The grand idea of environmental and social responsibility has taken hold even at the higher income levels and the only thing better than driving a Range Rover is driving a Range Rover that gets 30mpg and is 100% carbon offset (talking points at the cocktail party).

I just put in an order for a 2014 Range Rover HSE. I was also considering a 2014 Mercedes Benz G550. One of the points that tipped the scales in favor of the Range Rover was the gas mileage that the V6 is rated for - MUCH better than the G550. There were other considerations too, such as the fact that my elderly mother would have a heck of a time getting in and out of the G550 (the air suspension on the Range Rover is a big bonus here), but gas mileage was quite possibly the biggest factor in deciding to go with the Range Rover.

I just hope that the statements I've read about their quality control being much better now are true. I used to own a 1995 Disco I, and while I really liked it a lot, it spent far too much time in the shop for stuff that shouldn't have been failing. That vehicle caused me to go with other brands ever since, until now.

A hybrid diesel Range Rover would definitely interest me, but not until they've had it on the market for a few years to demonstrate that there aren't any major issues with it. I'm definitely not going to be the first one to try it . I'd also probably be willing to pay extra for a diesel (non-hybrid) Range Rover, assuming the fuel economy numbers versus the extra cost for the diesel made sense.

 

[Eniam17]

Interesting perspective from Transient Mechanic - you obviously have a much better sense of what new Rover buyers are looking for. I think it's 90% cocktail party chat, as you said, that the higher end buyers want diesels and hybrids, but hey, at least they are thinking about it. I would not have guessed that many people cared.

Greynolds, when you mention that gas mileage was your deciding factor - is that because of the environmental impact?

 

[EricTyrrell]

Fuel range. That's the huge advantage for expo use. Think how much further you could go now.

 

[proper4wd]

Typically, Range Rover buyers (and Land Rover buyers, for that matter) are very sensible. These vehicles have substance and utility, while also offering premium luxury. That's what Range Rover has always presented. The diesel or diesel hybrid version exemplifies that.

Right now, the market is in a unique state because the Range Rover (and Range Rover Sport) have finally drawn the attention of the mass market. There is a waiting list for both of them, in both engine variations, that extends into 2014 in most cases.

We are seeing the highest ever number of "new" Range Rover buyers, meaning this is their first Range Rover (and first LR product). In many cases these conquest buyers want the Supercharged with 510hp, strictly because its the "most". The buyers that are on their 3rd, 4th, 5th Range Rover are opting for the HSE with the SC V6 because "I don't need any more".

Mind you there is only a $10,000 price difference between the two versions (similarly equipped). An interesting snapshot.

The same way the 510hp Supercharged has conquested buyers, the diesel version would as well (on the other side of the spectrum). My cocktail party comment was somewhat tongue-in-cheek but could hold some truth. Based on the sensibilities of the Range Rover buyer, if they could have all of the luxury and utility plus the economy, it would be a no-brainer wouldnt it?

Another note... for many buyers, the Range Rover is not their only car. They have a 911, or a Bentley GT in the garage as well. But the Range Rover is what they choose to drive, because "it fits in just as well at the country club as it does at Home Depot."

 

[umbertob]

Well, this article from Car and Driver seems to put the question of whether these hybrids will be available in the US to rest (Hint: no)

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/20...range-rover-sport-hybrid-photos-and-info-news

Cool photos, though.