Range Rover Hybrid range of vehicles launched; to make 16, 000 km journey from Solihull to Mumbai

Land Rover has launched hybrid version of the Range Rover and the Range Rover Sport. Both models are based on the standard SUVs that were launched in late 2012 and early 2013 respectively and are the first ever hybrids from the British auto maker.  

First and foremost the powertrains; the Range Rover and the Range Rover Sport will make use of the 3.0-litre V6 diesel mill that has been combined with a 35kW electric motor and the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. The combined output is 340PS and 700Nm of torque (170Nm from the electric motor). It also acts a generator and harvests kinetic energy through regenerative braking or when the SUV is slowing down. On electric motor alone, both vehicles can travel 1.6km at 30kmph before the diesel engine takes over.

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. 

To celebrate the launch, a set of Range Rover Hybrids will make their way from the factory in Solihull to Tata’s HQ in Mumbai. Dubbed ‘The Silk Trails 2013’, the journey will see the SUVs travel across 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.

Bookings for the Range Rover Hybrid and Range Rover Sport Hybrid in the UK will begin from September 10 with deliveries scheduled to begin early next year. We expect an announcement on prices around that time next month. Will we get the Hybrid range in India? Not in the near future as there is very little demand for such vehicles here right now.