Range Rover introduces a diesel hybrid, while BMW previews a plug-in petrol variation for the X5
Range Rover Hybrid does a 15.6kpl average.
What kind of hybrid is in the Rangie?
It's a diesel-electric version combining Land Rover's 3.0-litre SDV6 engine with an electric motor backed up by lithium-ion batteries and is a new option for both the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport for buyers to choose from.
Producing 340hp and 700Nm in total, this drivetrain _ the electrified components of which add 120kg to the vehicles _ is capable of catapulting the two Range Rovers from 0-100kph in 6.9sec and 6.7sec respectively.
Efficiency is improved by a claimed 26%, meaning that the Range Rovers are now capable of more than 15kpl on average. As well, the SUVs can drive purely on electricity for 1.6km at speeds no more than 50kph.
Both go on sale in the UK next month when prices will be announced and both will be able to attract the hybrid tax rate of 10% in Thailand due to their engines displacing less than 3,000cc.
Land Rover claims the Range Rovers are the first SUVs in the luxury segment to go with a diesel hybrid.
Wasn't it Mercedes-Benz?
True, Mercedes once previewed the M-class with a diesel-electric hybrid called ML300 Bluetec Hybrid, but it hasn't reached production yet. This ML300 will be an essential weapon for the Thai market in the future when Mercedes deems the state of competition has gotten to the point it's necessary.
The Range Rovers are then the first luxury SUVs to get diesel hybrid power. And to prove its viability (as seen in the picture), they will run from Solihull in the UK where they are made to Mumbai, India, where they will see mummy _ Tata Motors.
How affectionate. And what's with the X5's umbilical cord?
Oh, that's a wire used to draw electricity from the home socket for use in the X5. Called eDrive, the plug-in hybrid X5 mixes a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-turbo with electricity.
Although the size of the battery and electric motor hasn't be revealed, the ability to get plugged means a more generous EV driving range than regular hybrids without plug-in capability (like the Range Rovers and ML300 Bluetec Hybrid).
BMW says the X5 eDrive is capable of doing 0-100kph in 7.0sec, while achieving a theoretical 26.3kpl average under one tank of fuel and a full charge of electricity.
It can drive in EV mode for 30km at speeds not exceeding 120kph. It's still billed as a concept, although it isn't complex to put it into showrooms.
Will the Cayenne follow suit?
Yes, and here's why. At the moment, the Cayenne SUV has a 3.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid to choose from in showrooms.
And now that Porsche has already upped the hybrid game in the Panamera range with a plug-in version called S E-Hybrid, it's a no-brainer that today's Cayenne S Hybrid will eventually be upgraded to a plug-in.
During the international launch of the Panamera S E-Hybrid, a Porsche executive told Life that it is only logical that plug-in hybrid will be given to Cayenne once it reaches midlife (due next year).
X5 eDrive has a theoretical 26.3kpl record.
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