Range Rover Hybrid Confirmed

 

Jaguar Land Rover have announced plans to introduce hybrid technology to Land Rover’s range most likely starting with the flagship Range Rover models. 

Peter Richings, chief engineer for hybrid technology at Jaguar Land Rover said: “Plug-in hybrids definitely have the most potential. The Range Rover is the logical place to start as buyers of this car are able to afford the technology. It makes sense to put it in the top car and let it filter its way down the range.”

He also said that the Range Rover was the logical choice due to the added weight the hybrid technology brings with it.

Although a release time couldn’t be confirmed, Ritchings did say “It will be sometime after 2015, but before 2020.” Suggesting that the technology to successfully turn such a large vehicle into a practical hybrid is still a few years away.

Although Jaguar Land Rover may not be too far away from creating something for the Range Rovers range as they have already experimented with a Jaguar XJ prototype which replaced the 5.0 litre V8 in the car with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and a 94bhp electric motor. This resulted in the prototype having fuel economy of 73.5mpg and was able to run for 25 miles on electric power only.