In midst of the pandemic, Land Rover still managed to release two new models for the European Market. The two models are Discovery Sport P300e PHEV and Range Rover Evoque P300e PHEV.
Yes, you read that right, these are PHEVs, as in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Land Rover is still creating gas-guzzling monsters. But if you are into these type of things, we won’t judge you. As of now, Land Rover still has not announced any all electric vehicles in the pipeline.
As for these two new models, at least they are plug-ins so you could technically use them as a short range BEVs (although you would be stuck with a two-wheel drive). Powered by 15 kWh battery packs, the EV-only range for the Discovery Sport PHEV will be 62 km (39 miles) and 66 km (41 miles) for the Range Rover Evoque PHEV. Each will have EV-only cruising speed of 135 km/h (84 mph).
The EV-only range is actually fairly decent, especially if you compare to the Volvo XC90 T8, which is one of the best PHEV SUV currently available today, it gets 18 miles of EV-only range. The Porsche Cayenne S E-Hyrbid only gets 13 miles of EV-only range.
The appearance and interior of the P300e looks mostly like the gasoline-guzzling-monster version. The obvious difference is the charging port on the left rear side.
Both PHEV models are called P300e, with a newly developed 1.5 Ingenium three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine that can output 197bhp of maximum horsepower, with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and an electric motor loaded to the rear axle with a maximum horsepower of 107bhp.
The 15kWh lithium battery pack from Samsung in South Korea has a combined horsepower of 296bhp and a total torque of 398lb-ft. It is paired with AISIN’s eight-speed automatic transmission.
Of course, Land Rover is staying true to its traditional four-wheel drive system, which also provides quick acceleration. The Evoque P300e can complete 0-100km / h per hour in 6.1 seconds, and Discovery Sport in 6.2 seconds.
In the WLTP test cycle, the carbon dioxide emissions of the Evoque P300e are 32g / km and the range of pure electric can reach 66 km. The carbon dioxide of the Discovery Sport P300e is 36g / km and the range of pure electric is reduced to 62 km. The maximum speed of pure electric driving is 135km, but above this speed, the rear axle electric motor will be detached to reduce air resistance, and at the same time it will be converted into a front-wheel drive.
As for the charging the 15 kWh battery, a 32-kW DC public charger will be able to charge from 0 to 80% in about half hour. When using the 7-kW AC wallbox at home, it will take about 84 minutes to 80%, or 132 minutes to 100%. The last option is to simply plug into the standard 220-volt home outlet, which would take almost 7 hours to charge.
What do you guys think? To PHEV or not to PHEV? the EV-only range honestly isn’t too bad.
