Land Rover is known for producing super-luxury off-road capable SUVs. Some of the most prestigious lines launched by the company include Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery. Land Rover vehicles utilize plugin hybrid (PHEV) and mild hybrid (MHEV) technology to boost performance. However, we are yet to see a fully-electric SUV produced under its banner.
Read this article for the latest information on Land Rover electric vehicles, the history of Land Rover, and the lineup of the company.
History of Land Rover and its Electric Cars
A British engineer and automotive enthusiast, Maurice Wilkes, founded Land Rover in 1947. In the same year, he initiated the development of the first Land Rover model, and he later unveiled it at an Amsterdam motor show the following year.
Since then, Land Rover has changed its ownership quite a few times. An Indian automotive company, Tata Motors, currently owns Land Rover. The company has always focused on producing off-road capable vehicles and has perfected the art of inner beauty over time.
The history of Land Rover electric vehicles is rather new, or should we say that it is still beginning. Due to the frequent changes in ownership, it was difficult for the company to modernize and adapt to electric drivetrains. That’s why it is yet to launch its first all-electric vehicle.
Land Rover Vs. Other EV Companies
To put it in simpler terms, Land Rover stands no chance against the competition in the EV space. Most of its competitors, like BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, and Tesla, have taken a firm lead in the race to electrification. Land Rover vehicles are unfortunately known for being gas guzzlers. Hence, they should have been the first ones to dive head-first into the electric race.
But unfortunately, the management of Land Rover arrived at this conclusion much late. Where other companies have already launched a bunch of electric models, Land Rover is still trying to unveil its first electric SUV. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced that it will invest $19 billion (15 billion pounds) over the course of the next five years to launch an electric lineup.
JLR is a reputed auto manufacturer with half a century-long history. We expected it to do better, but now it has to play a lot of catch-up with its competitors. Where others are busy perfecting their electric drivetrains, Land Rover is lagging way back in the game.
Land Rover Electric Car Lineup
Land Rover currently is not offering any fully electric vehicles at the moment. The electric vehicle lineup of Land Rover consists of plugin hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEV). There are a few Land Rover models based on these two technologies.
Let’s have a detailed look at currently available PHEV and MHEV models of Land Rover and the upcoming all-electric Range Rover!
Land Rover Range Rover EV
Land Rover will be making its much-awaited entry into the EV space by the end of this year. The company has designed a universal platform that can support gas, plugin hybrid, mild hybrid, and electric propulsion systems. This might not be the best way to go as you need a specialized platform for an efficient EV design, as it has a high curb weight due to the load of batteries.
Range Rover EV remains a mystery yet as the range, battery, and other technical specifications are not made public. But the preorders for the all-new 2024 Land Rover Range Rover EV are on the way. If the price of previous Range Rover models is any reference, the pricing of Range Rover EV should start at above $100,000. We will update you soon about this car as more details evolve.
Land Rover Range Rover PHEV
Land Rover Range Rover PHEV is a plugin hybrid SUV. This means that it comes with a smaller battery pack that will give an all-electric range of up to 75 miles. The main part of the power comes from a 6-Cylinder P440 i6 Mild Hybrid Engine that can produce 434 horsepower. The battery pack used in Range Rover PHEV comes with a DC fast charging capability as well.
As with any other Land Rover vehicle, luxury and comfort have been given prime importance. For instance, the 6-way power-adjustable, heated front seats and power recliner heated rear seats are a benchmark. Things like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will come as standard on Rover PHEV.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport Autobiography PHEV
Range Rover Sport Autobiography PHEV is much similar to the standard PHEV model. It just has a better outlook. The Range Rover Sport PHEV utilizes the same P440 i6 Mild Hybrid Engine, which generates an output of 434 hp, and pairs it with a 140 horsepower brushless electric motor. In hybrid mode, the electric motors initiate the start, and the gas-powered engine engages later.
The Range Rover Sport PHEV draws juice from a 31.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that ensures an all-electric driving range of up to 70 miles. Thanks to the DC fast charging ability, the battery pack can be recharged in less than 60 minutes at a rapid charging station. Even at a home charger, you can rejuice the battery in about 5 hours which is impressive for a PHEV.
Land Rover Range Rover MHEV
Land Rover has coined the term mild hybrid to describe its models that use a set of electric motors to enhance the efficiency of its petrol and diesel engines. Range Rover MHEV also uses the energy collected via means of regenerative braking to decrease fuel consumption.
Thanks to the mild hybrid engine of Land Rover MHEV, it can deliver an impressive 30.8 mpg. This is quite an improvement on previous models of Range Rover, which used a regular gasoline engine. The carbon emission has also been limited to 241 g/km.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport MHEV
The mild hybrid technology of Land Rover is consistently proving its worth on the roads. Range Rover Sport MHEV is a slightly better version of the standard MHEV. It can offer a staggering highway range of up to 700 miles, much better than regular gas-powered Range Rovers.
Range Rover Sport MHEV boasts a healthy fuel mileage of 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. It has an enormous fuel tank of 27.8 gallons so that you don’t have to stop frequently for fill-ups. Sport MHEV is offered in two different engine configurations, P360 and P400.
Land Rover Range Rover Velar
Range Rover Velar has got a very slick exterior design. It is powered by a turbo and supercharged 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder engine. Range Rover Velar is offered in two different engine configurations. P340 models can produce 335 hp, whereas P400 can go up to 400 hp.
Land Rover Range Rover Velar uses a 48-volt hybrid support system to enhance efficiency. Without turbocharging, the city fuel efficiency can reach up to 20 mpg and 26 mpg on the highway. However, with the turbocharged version, these figures improve to 21 mpg and 27 mpg.
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque MHEV
Range Rover Evoque is yet another amazing prospect in the category of mild hybrids. It is offered in quite a few different variants. The D165 and D200 trims come with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. The P160 features a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine, while the P200, P250, and P300 versions incorporate 2.0-liter petrol engines.
These engines join forces with the 48V Belt-integrated Starter Generator to deliver a boost of electric power. The top-of-the-line P300 Evoque is pretty swift for its size. It can cross the 60 mph mark in 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 150 mph.
Land Rover Defender MHEV
Land Rover Defender MHEV is also available in multiple drivetrains. The Defender comes with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine powered by a supercharger and the standard 48-volt hybrid system that is standard on almost all MHEV models by Land Rover.
People are absolutely in love with the offroad capabilities of Defender MHEV. But the best part is that even after being a capable offroad vehicle, Land Rover Defender ensures a smooth ride on regular roads. The retro-modern interior of Defender is also something to look up to.
Land Rover Discovery MHEV
Land Rover Discovery MHEV is a practical SUV with a very quiet and comfortable riding experience. It has ample cabin space to comfortably seat up to seven adults, a virtue that seems to be missing in most modern-day seven-seaters.
The mild hybrid engine technology comes in handy and returns around 35 mpg with a CO2 emission of less than 214 g/km. Some additional features of Land Rover Discovery include an electronic air suspension and a 400W Meridian sound system with twelve speakers.
Final Word, Land Rover Electric Vehicles Lineup
Land Rover has stuck to its core values for far too long. The company has benefited from developing a loyal customer base, but it has lost the factor of innovation. It has arrived way too late to the EV scene, so it must struggle hard to increase the popularity of Land Rover electric vehicles.
Are you excited to get your hands on the first fully-electric Land Rover Range Rover in 2024? Let us know in the comments below. We would love to hear from you guys!
