The 2018 Range Rover Sport Goes Hybrid

Believe it or not, the Range Rover Sport was first introduced back in 2004. Since then, 13 years have passed, and in that time 732,000 models have been sold. The Range Rover Sport was a leader in design and technology then, and the same applies with the latest 2018 Range Rover Sport

While many of the changes to the 2018 model have been made under the skin, the exterior has undergone light refinement. A more aggressive, sharper profile is instantly noticed,  this can be credited to the new Pixel-laser LED headlights which are complemented by a redesigned grill and new front bumper. These changes, although slight, cement the Range Rover Sport as one of the best looking vehicles on our roads.

Interior design follows suit, with the biggest update here being the introduction of Land Rover’s Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, first pioneered on the staggering Range Rover Velar, this system features two high-definition 10-inch touchscreens for even more control and entertainment. There is also great news for families as the new model also features 14 power points, meaning the fight for the car charger is now over. Included in these 14 power points is a domestic plug socket which is perfect for those wishing to charge bigger devices on the move such as laptops and camera batteries.

As mentioned earlier, big changes to the 2018 Range Rover Sport can be found in the heart of the car and this rings true with one specific model, the P400e – Jaguar Land Rover’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. For those who are worried about the performance of the hybrid compared to the classic V6 or V8, they need not worry as the P400e combines a 221kW 2.0-litre combustion engine with an 85kW electric motor, providing a combined power output of 297kW and 640Nm of Torque.

The P400e provides two main driving modes depending on the driver’s mood or route. The first and default mode is called Parallel Hybrid, this mode combines both petrol and electric drive. In this mode, the driver can choose to optimise battery charge or fuel economy by choosing one of two management systems – The SAVE Function and the Predictive Energy Optimisation Function.

The SAVE Function simply prevents the battery charge from dropping below a preselected level, whereas the PEO Function is a little more interesting. This function is activated by entering a destination into the Satellite Navigation.Once the desired route is selected, the vehicle intelligently combines the electric motor and petrol engine to provide the best fuel economy on the trip, it does this by making use of altitude data contained within the GPS system.

The second driving mode is simply “EV” OR Electric Vehicle mode. As the name suggests, this mode enables the Range Rover to run solely on electric power for up to 51km – perfect for quiet, zero-emission journeys, like popping to the shops or the drive to work in bumper to bumper traffic.

Like everything electric, the Range Rover P400e needs charging. Using the standard 10 amp charger supplied with the vehicle results in a charging time of 7 hours 30 minutes, this, however, can be drastically reduced to a mere 2 hours 45 minutes with the use of a 32 amp Rapid Charging system.

Updates to the Range Rover SVR

Those still not convinced by hybrid power need not worry as Jaguar Land Rover’s world-class V6 and V8 petrol and diesel engines are still available, including an entry-level 2.0-litre, 4 cylinder powerplant. For those power hungry, the Range Rover Sport SVR provides even more power than the previous model, with a total of 422kW and 700Nm of torque on tap which results in a 0-100km/h dash of just 4.5 seconds. The supercharged 5.0-litre V8 responsible for this kind of performance is the most powerful in the brand’s history and is not the only component in the SVR to be updated as many chassis enhancements have taken place to increase overall handling capability.

The new SVR stands out even more with a new bonnet design which integrates cooling vents and provides an even more aggressive front end. If the customer wishes, the carbon fibre weave can be left exposed for an even more unique and attention-grabbing look. This bonnet compliments the new bumper design which doesn’t just add to the SVR’S awesome design, but also provides better airflow and cooling to the new brake pads and discs.

Additional design packs such as the Carbon Fibre Exterior Pack adds even more tasteful detailing while a new lightweight 22” performance alloy wheel completes the ultimate SVR package.

All in all, the 2018 Range Rover Sport is an evolution of the previous model. It retains the core essence of what’s made the sport such a popular vehicle over the past 13 years, while adding design and technology which reignites the excitement of the brand, and fixes the Range Rover Sport firmly in the future of the automotive industry.

For more information and pricing, contact your local SMG JLR dealer here.