Range Rover PHEV due imminently with new petrol-electric powertrain

Land Rover is putting the finishing touches to its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Range Rover ahead of the car's anticipated reveal.

CEO Ralf Speth confirmed the model will be ready for launch at the end of 2017, leaving sources convinced it'll be shown in production form in the coming days.

Speaking at the Frankfurt motor show, Speth said both the regular Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models will gain the new electrified powerplant, which is expected to combine 2.0-litre Ingenium petrol power with an electric drive unit. The former power source is predicted to provide 299hp and 399Nm, while the latter injects 203hp and 450Nm and will also enable about 50km of electric-only range.

The electric drive technology was created in-house and fits into the existing structure of the Range Rover's model line-up. It's mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox and sources its power from a lithium-ion battery located beneath the boot floor.

Several Range Rover Sport PHEV development cars have been spotted with no major aesthetic changes to the model's exterior, suggesting little more than badges and a charging port will signify its zero-emissions capability.
 
The Range Rover PHEV's closest rival will be the BMW X5 xDrive40e, but the hybrid-electric X5's electric motor produces 115hp, meaning it is likely to fall short of the Ranger Rover's straightline and electric-only performance.
 
How JLR's new hybrid powertrain works

The model will be the first to use JLR's newly developed PHEV drivetrain which is expected to part of the Jaguar F-Pace, XF and XJ ranges in the future.

The carmaker already produces a diesel-electric hybrid version of the Range Rover, but that system mates a larger 3.0-litre V6 engine to electric drive. It produces more power than the new petrol-electric system with a peak of 353hp available, but the new system should undercut the V6 diesel's 164g/km of CO2 emissions.