Range Rover Hybrid first drive

This is the new Range Rover Hybrid, which is claimed to deliver similar levels of off-road capability and durability to conventional models, but with a decently improved efficiency.

It's hard not to be impressed by the headline figures. It's claimed to average 44.1mpg and emit 169g/km of CO2. That's a 17 per cent reduction in fuel consumption when compared to a Range Rover TDV6.

Land Rover's new hybrid system combines the Range Rover’s familiar TDV6 diesel and a 35kW electric motor, which is integrated within the eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. This creates a powertrain with peak output of 335bhp and 516lb ft of torque.

Pure electric range is around one mile at speeds of up to 30mph, and there is a regenerative system that harvests kinetic energy when the car is coasting or braking. 

The hybrid system, including its lithium ion battery, adds less than 120kg to the kerb weight, which is now claimed to be 2394kg. Fully sealed and mounted within the existing structure, it does not compromise the Range Rover’s wading capacity or ground clearance.

No interior or spare tyre space is given up, either, and the battery is liquid rather than air-cooled to ensure no noise can ruin the calm of the cabin.

With V6 diesel and electric motor at full tilt, the Range Rover Hybrid can sprint from 0-62mph in 6.9sec and on to a top speed of 135mph. Brisk enough – and it feels it, especially with the eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox seamlessly shifting through the gears.

In default hybrid mode the electric motor operates to boost power and torque as required. Additionally, there are three selectable drive modes: EV, Auto Stop/Start Off and Sport. EV, as the name suggests, allows for a short period of electric-only driving when possible. Although its range is limited, it's perhaps most useful for low speed or off-road work, when the instant torque comes in handy.

When it’s out of juice in electric drive mode, the diesel engine automatically – and seamlessly – fires up. In EV mode the Range Rover's throttle response is also softened in order to reduce abrupt demands and save power. The 'Auto Stop/Start Off' mode forces the engine to run continuously, recharging the battery as quickly as possible should the need arise for more pure-electric driving.

Sport mode, meanwhile, optimises all powertrain settings for immediate throttle response and higher revs. Land Rover says this delivers SDV8-style performance.

Beyond the powertrain this is all Range Rover, in the best possible sense. On the road it feels like the conventional V6, but it moves off the line with much more conviction. Land Rover claims V8-like performance for the Hybrid, and it's not unjustified in saying so. There's plenty of punch and it's certainly capable of delivering on the claimed performance figures. 

The system hasn't compromised the Range Rover's refinement either. When coasting, the V6 engine cuts to save fuel, while restarts are all but imperceptible. The electric motor fills in gaps in the V6's torque output as well, smoothing the power delivery and improving consistency above that of the conventional models.