The safest way for auto makers to switch to an electric lineup is to bring in hybrid support systems to their IC engine offerings. Such a hybrid system helps improve fuel efficiency while also sticking to the regular format of refuelling?at a fuel station in minutes. Land Rover has now shown its belief in the concept by launching the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions of the Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque in Europe.
The hybrid versions come with a small rear-mounted electric motor coupled to the 1.5-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine in both the vehicles. With this, the combined power output is bumped up to around 300 horsepower in both the PHEVs by Land Rover.
Specifically, the new electric motor is able to increase the power to 296 horsepower on the Evoque PHEV, with 400 Nm torque. Meanwhile, the Discovery Sport is now able to produce 286 horsepower and 393 Nm of torque. The electric motor in both the vehicles is backed by a 15 kWh battery pack beneath the rear seats.
With this, the Evoque P300e PHEV is able to go from 0 to 100 kmph in 6.1 seconds while the Discovery Sport P300e PHEV takes 6.2 seconds for the same run. Naturally, the plug-in hybrids are also able to curb the emissions from the cars, down to 32g/km and 36g/km respectively.
As for the battery in the SUVs, a steel undertray protects it against off-road bumps, while also lowering the ground clearance of the vehicles marginally. On its own, the battery is able to propel the Evoque for around 66 km and the Discovery Sport for around 61 km of clean driving. A top speed of 131 kmph is also possible on both the vehicles through this battery.?
Once out of juice, the battery charges to more than 80 percent in around 30 minutes using a 32kW DC fast-charger. A 7kW wall box charger promises the same in an hour and a half. In addition to the plug-in charging, both the Evoque PHEV and Discovery Sport PHEV come with regenerative braking for added range.
There is, however, a big question. Will there be an all-wheel drive with the hybrid system? Yes, says the company, as the IC engine powers the front wheels while the electric motor turns the axle at the back. Both power sources can work independently or in sync based on the driving mode.
As an answer to the question, the Evoque PHEV and Disco Sport PHEV still have an effective all-wheel-drive system and nine-speed automatic gearbox, only this time, it is cleaner than ever before.
Meanwhile, both PHEV versions of the Evoque and Discovery Sport are also destined to make a grand entrance in North America later this year. But instead of having a three-cylinder engine like its European counterparts, both U.S.-bound Evoque PHEV and Discovery Sport PHEV models are powered by a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-banger with 246 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque.
The European order books are now open for the Range Rover Evoque PHEV and Land Rover Discovery PHEV. American buyers will have to wait a bit longer as both are not expected to arrive until the end of 2020.