Jaguar Land Rover expands PHEV line-up

Jaguar Land Rover is introducing its latest plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system, which debuts in the new Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport SUVs.

They have an electric range of 66km and 62km respectively and CO2 emissions as low as 32g/km.

“Designed, engineered and manufactured in-house, the modular, scaleable and flexible architecture of our Ingenium family has allowed us to create a pioneering, three-cylinder plug-in hybrid system, giving our customers more choice than ever before,” Jaguar Land Rover product engineering executive director Nick Rogers says.

“The 147kW engine, combined with an 80kW electric motor on the rear axle, gives fantastic all-wheel drive capability and the perfect blend of performance, depending on your driving style.”

Electric-only mode delivers quiet, zero-tailpipe emissions driving on shorter journeys, while Hybrid mode automatically combines petrol and electric driving for longer journeys.

While being driven, energy generated by the engine during acceleration, or by braking in electric or hybrid mode, is harvested to charge the battery.

When plug-in charging is required, the 15kWh battery can be powered to 80% in 30 minutes using a public rapid charger. It takes one hour 24 minutes to six hours 42 minutes at home, depending on whether the car is plugged into a dedicated 7kW wall box or typical domestic electricity supply.

Both have 227kW total power and 540Nm torque.

Jaguar Land Rover has filed more than 40 patent applications for the latest technologies that debut in the three-cylinder PHEV system. A number relate to the high voltage belt-integrated starter generator (BiSG), for example, which is a key enabler for the hybrid system on this car.

It also marks the second phase in the electrification of the company’s Halewood plant in the United Kingdom.

Jaguar Land Rover has a growing portfolio of electrified products across its model range, embracing fully electric, plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid.

PHEV and mild-hybrid are also offered on the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport vehicles, while the recently revealed New Defender features mild-hybrid from launch and a PHEV variation will be introduced later this year.

The company has confirmed plans to transform its Castle Bromwich facility to manufacture a range of new electrified vehicles, starting with the luxury Jaguar XJ.

It will also build electric drive units at its Wolverhampton (UK) Engine Manufacturing Centre, offering full flexibility between new petrol and diesel engines and electric units as drivers transition from conventional to electrified vehicles.

This is complemented by investment in an advanced battery assembly centre at nearby Hams Hall.

The new Range Rover Evoque P300e PHEV and Discovery Sport P300e PHEV are expected to be available for delivery in Australia during the second quarter of 2021.

Pricing will be announced closer to the launch.