Currently reading: Range Rover Sport's hybrid push
New compact Range Rover will not be available with a hybrid at launch

The new compact Range Rover will not be available with a hybrid at launch, but Jaguar Land Rover is making good progress on the technology, with more than 100 engineers dedicated to development.

“Hybrid is an expensive [engineering] investment and an expensive piece cost, so the focus has to be on larger vehicles,” said Land Rover boss Phil Popham.

Development is focused on the Range Rover Sport, a hybrid version of which is being tested. Targets include a range of 20 miles and top speed of 50mph in electric-only mode, and combined-cycle tailpipe CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km.

But Land Rover’s hybrids boss Peter Riching said, “Our projections are that it will be a lot less than that.”

The new technology - which includes an eight-speed ZF gearbox with integrated electric motor and no torque converter, plus a 160-litre lithium ion battery pack - adds around 200kg to the vehicle. But fresh weight savings actually result in a lower kerb weight.

See all the latest Range Rover reviews, news and video

Advertisement

Read our review

Car review

The Range Rover Sport offers just the right dynamic twist on the well trodden SUV formula

Add a comment…