V8’s and Range Rover have a long-standing history dating all the way back to the 70’s. With the mighty eight-cylinder motor still an option in today’s model, Range Rover also offers V6’s and a handful of turbodiesels in select markets and that’s as small as they’ll go. Not anymore! Now there’s a four-pot motor on the way and with it, a plug-in hybrid too! And the 2019 Range Rover P400e PHEV has them both.
Driving each corner is a 300 horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine coupled with an 85 kW electric motor which is said to churn out 104 horses bringing the total up to 404 hp and 640 Nm of torque. Range Rover claims the 2019 Range Rover P400e PHEV is able to launch from standstill to 100 km/h in a respectable 6.8 seconds before hitting a top speed of 220 km/h.
Range Rover’s latest model offers two drive modes. The parallel Hybrid mode which is selected by default utilises both the petrol and electric unit. Drivers can select can choose between one of two charge management systems. Save, stops the battery charge from dropping below a pre-selected threshold and Predictive Energy Optimisation or PEO utilises the onboard navigation system to optimise fuel consumption.
Switch over to EV and the 2019 Range Rover P400e PHEV runs only on electric power generated by the compact motor.
When buying a 2019 Range Rover P400e PHEV, a standard household charger is separate while a level 2 charging cable is available as an optional extra. Range Rover has cleverly hidden the 7kW charging port behind the front grille complete with LED status indicators. Charging the SUV via a standard outlet takes 14 hours whereas the 240-Volt Level 2 charger just takes three hours to top up the motor.
If you’re expecting any other radical changes, you’re in for a shock as the powertrain is the only difference. The P400e receives an identical sleek exterior with an ultra luxurious cabin with all of the typical Range Rover features. There are minute changes, but not necessarily anything to write home about but just in case you want to know what they are, rear passengers have a little extra space and there’s a new EV drive mode button.
When to expect the 2019 Range Rover P400e PHEV
While no date has been set in stone, the 2019 Range Rover P400e PHEV is expected to arrive in GCC countries in the next two years for an undisclosed price.
Dubicars.com has new Range Rover and used Range Rover for sale in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
