We were invited yesterday by the PR Manager Jaguar Land Rover Belux Annick Van Cauwenberge to attend a webinar to witness the launch of the new PHEV versions of the best selling Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport.
They are now available as efficient plug-in hybrids with CO2 emissions from only 32g/km and an all-electric range of up to 66km (41 miles) – enough for many to drive the average daily commute distance without recharging.
Just read on…
Hans Knol ten Bensel
Highlights
The technical heart of both these cars is a new 200PS three-cylinder 1.5-litre Ingenium petrol engine coupled to an equally new eight-speed automatic transmission, driving the front wheels. But these cars are 4WD SUV’s, so a 109PS Electric Rear Axle Drive motor guarantees Land Rover’s signature all-wheel-drive capability. This motor is powered by a 15kWh lithium-ion battery located below the rear seats.
These new Rovers are also very kind on your wallet, with a fuel consumption being as low as 1.4L/100km. Of course, all this depends on the way you use and integrate E-power in your daily driving, but again, this is frugal indeed. The PHEV system can operate in electric-only mode, combustion engine-only mode, or a combination, using GPS and navigation data to optimize efficiency on every journey.
Charging can be fast: 0-80 per cent in as little as 30 minutes using 32kW DC public charging or just 1hr 24mins using a 7kW AC wallbox.
You have a wide choice, as the Range Rover Evoque and Discovery Sport PHEV models, which are badged P300e, are available in S, SE and HSE specifications, each as standard or R-Dynamic, with a range of wheel designs from 18 to 20 inches.
State-of-the-art Premium Transverse architecture
Both the new Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport plug-in hybrids are based on Land Rover’s , which was designed to support electrification while maintaining Land Rover’s signature off-road capability. The new plug-in hybrid P300e models join the existing 48-volt mild-hybrid SUVs, bringing new levels of efficiency to the premium compact SUV sector.
With total output being 309 PS and offering 540 Nm of torque, the performance is up to scratch, with an acceleration of 0-100km/h in just 6.4 seconds (0-60mph in 6.1 seconds) in the Range Rover Evoque. Meanwhile, the Discovery Sport offers 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds (0-60mph in 6.2 seconds). Both can reach speeds of up to 135km/h (84mph) using electric power alone.
Driver-selectable modes
As said, drivers of both models can select from three driving modes. 1.HYBRID mode (the default driving mode) – automatically combines power from the electric motor and petrol engine. The operating strategy adapts to driving conditions and the remaining charge in the battery. Entering a destination in the navigation system enables the Predictive Energy Optimisation (PEO) function to intelligently integrate route and GPS data to maximize efficiency and comfort for the selected journey.
2.EV (Electric Vehicle) mode – enables the vehicle to run solely on the electric motor using the energy stored in the battery, for quiet, zero-tailpipe emission journeys.
3.SAVE mode – prioritizes the combustion engine as its main power source, maintaining battery State of Charge at the chosen level.
PHEV technology
As pointed out, the new compact SUVs are produced using Land Rover’s Premium Transverse Architecture, which was designed from the outset to accommodate plug-in and mild-hybrid technologies. The hardware is cleverly packaged beneath the cabin floor without compromising interior space.
The Electric Rear Axle Drive (ERAD) is powered by a compact 15kWh lithium-ion battery located below the rear seats. The battery is made up of 84 prismatic cells, arranged in seven 50Ah modules of 12, with a 6mm-thick steel undertray that protects the battery without compromising the vehicles’ hallmark all-terrain capability.
The advanced Electric Rear Axle Drive (ERAD) features a light, compact and efficient synchronous permanent magnet motor. To optimize package space, the drive-shafts are concentric with the motor and single-speed transmission, while the inverter is also integrated within the ERAD casing. The ERAD module is neatly integrated within the Integral Link rear suspension system.
At speeds above 135km/h (84mph), the electric motor is decoupled to reduce drag and therefore optimise efficiency, and then seamlessly re-engages when the speed falls below this.
The compact high-voltage junction box (HVJB) under the front seats is another engineering innovation. This comprises the DC: DC converter (changes high-voltage current from the hybrid battery to low voltage to support the 12-volt network) and the 7kW on-board charger used to charge the hybrid battery when the vehicle is plugged in.
Packaged next to this is the Belt-integrated Starter Generator (BiSG) Inverter which, through intelligent electrical management, can send recuperation energy to the high-voltage battery for storage to use later or for immediate redeployment to support full all-wheel drive capability.
A new brake-by-wire system replaces the traditional brake vacuum servo, and seamlessly blends regenerative and friction braking to provide a consistent and precise pedal feel. The system can deliver up to 0.2g of deceleration under regenerative braking, maximizing energy efficiency by using the vehicles’ kinetic energy to recharge the battery on the overrun.
Intelligently locating the PHEV system throughout the structure improves dynamics, lowering the centre of gravity by six per cent and further optimizing front-rear weight distribution.
A state-of-the-art 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine
This is at the heart of the new PHEVs: the latest member of the modular Ingenium engine family, which now has three-, four- and six-cylinder variants.
The lightweight aluminium engine is 37kg lighter than the four-cylinder.
This small-capacity engine achieves exceptionally low levels of friction, which contribute to its excellent efficiency. The exhaust manifold is integrated into the aluminium cylinder head, contributing to the rapid warm-up times and minimizing the distance from the exhaust ports to the turbocharger’s turbine wheel for improved responsiveness.
The three-cylinder configuration delivers a better flow of exhaust gases, ensuring the turbine wheel delivers boost pressure almost instantaneously. A highly efficient Water cooled Charge Air Cooler means the density of air being drawn into the combustion chambers remains high, further enhancing performance and efficiency across the engine’s operating range.
The three-cylinder – like the four-cylinder mild hybrid models – also features a belt-integrated starter-generator (BISG) unit. This works alongside the ERAD to deliver regenerative braking, recharging the battery on the overrun, and also enables smoother, quieter and faster stop-start operation than a traditional starter motor.
New eight-speed automatic transmission
This matches the power and torque delivery of the three-cylinder engine and work seamlessly with the ERAD. As well as being 5kg lighter than the nine-speed transmission used in the other models, the new eight-speed delivers enhanced refinement and shift feel, and is an integral part of the hybrid system.
Cost of ownership is very low, so no use waiting any longer to order your Range Rover Evoque or Land Rover Discovery now, combining rational economy with the Rover’s unique 4WD SUV qualities…
Hans Knol ten Bensel
Autoprova - for the Connaisseur 