Hybrid Range Rover Sport a good compromise

It offers a good blend of luxury and performance while providing the right sort of brand cache. Buyers of vehicles such as this aren’t usually too concerned with their eco-credentials; however, there is no denying the push towards cleaner mobility. Enter the Range Rover P400e, a plug-in hybrid version of the Sport. I spent a bit of time in this new entrant recently.

P400e

While many consider the terms ‘Sport’ and hybrid oxymoronic when used together, one could argue that recent history has made a case for hybrids as performance cars. Look at Formula 1 cars, the McLaren P1, Porsche 918 Spyder, LaFerrari, even Audi has confirmed that its next R8 supercar will be a hybrid, so, therefore, a Range Rover Sport Hybrid could be something rather exciting, although, as I discovered, it’s more about luxury than performance given the 2.4-ton kerb weight. The luxuriousness of the interior is something few question when it comes to a Range Rover, and my hybrid press car, in HSE guise was certainly not lacking in fine quality material, on-board tech and the general impression that you’re in something expensive, which you most certainly are at well over R1.5-million.

The P400e badge stands for the amount of horsepower that the car produces, which is 400, translating into around 297 kW and 640 N.m. The power comes from a 221 kW and 400 N.m 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine in combination with an electric motor that offers 116 kW and 275 N.m. An eight-speed torque converter automatic takes care of business when the petrol engine is in use and in true Land Rover style, provides effortless shove, despite the engine note being more euro-hatchback than British luxury SUV.

The brand claims some impressive figures, with 100km/h coming up in a claimed 6.7 seconds with the combined fuel consumption set at 2.8-litres/100km, however, this is under the assumption that the car has been charged, seeing as though this is a plug-in hybrid, not to be mistaken with the traditional hybrids that are charged by their combustion engines such as in Lexus and Toyota products, for example.

Driving hybrid

The hybrid Range Rover was something of a revelation for me during my weekly commute, you see, once fully charged I found that I could complete my daily commute, a round trip of 34km or so on all-electric power. Range Rover claim that the product is capable of doing 137 km/h in all-electric mode, however, I was happy to hover at the national speed limit. I would then simply plug the car in at home and leave it on charge overnight like you would your smartphone.

The silent operation of the car during my commute was befitting of a luxury product such as a Range Rover. After three days of fuel-free driving, a weekend trip to the Vaal Marina meant that the petrol engine had to be used. The average consumption read-out on the odometer read 0.0 L/100km after 130km before it began slowing creeping up as the petrol engine worked in unison with the electric motor during our drive. By Monday morning the average fuel consumption had shot up to 7.2 L/100km, which I still consider impressive for a 2.4-ton Range Rover.

Understanding hybrid

Had I not included a lengthy road trip, I suspect that I could have come closer to the claimed fuel consumption of this particular hybrid. This brings me to my biggest takeaway from a week spent with a plug-in hybrid and that is that these vehicles work brilliantly, depending on the application that it is will be used for. For those undertaking longer commutes where the efficacy of the hybrid powertrain is compromised, a turbodiesel is likely a better companion, however, for those that primarily commute within a 50km radius, the hybrid makes a lot of sense as it can make better use of its electric powertrain.

Verdict

The Range Rover P400e is the most efficient large, luxury hybrid that I have tested so far, with the previous generation BMW X5 and pre-facelift Volvo XC90 T8 both registering higher consumption figures during their respective weeklong tenures. Its efficiency aside, the effortless progress that it makes in relative silence, the comfort afforded by its air suspension and indeed, the lashing of leather and fine materials make this an entirely agreeable place in which to spend your time.

Pricing

Land Rover Range Rover Sport HSE P400e R 1 699 500