Go Hybrid With The Brand New Range Rover Sport PHEV
We might like to think of the concept of disruption as a relatively recent Silicon Valley-type affair but of course, history is punctuated by ingenious innovation since the dawn of humanity. Amazing discoveries and leftfield ideas that go on to change an industry or sector or just life in general. You know, things like the printing press, the aeroplane and mixing tomato sauce with mayonnaise. Profound ideas that dent the universe in a certain way.
Another example of this comes from the automotive world. Okay, there was the invention of the wheel which was pretty disruptive but sometime after that in 1970 the automotive world was disrupted again when Land Rover decided that something needed to be done to inject some style and luxury into the otherwise utilitarian SUV world with the launch of the Range Rover complete with stylish design and sophisticated appeal. Its sleek clamshell bonnet, distinctive split tailgate, and timeless silhouette exuded an air of coolness that set it apart from the rest. This vehicle was more than just a rugged off-roader; it was a statement of freedom and luxury. A balance between ruggedness and refinement. Its sturdy chassis and capable four-wheel-drive system were ready to rock the off-road world, while its plush and opulent interior promised a concert of comfort and extravagance.
And not only did this category-shifting idea carve out a new place in the automotive world but it’s become a cultural icon and the vehicle of choice for other cultural icons like the Queen, King, Prince of Wales, 007 and of course the ultimate royal, Ariana Grande.
And while we are profiling the 2023 Range Rover line-up as opposed to the 1970 one, I just want to draw a parallel to highlight this rebellious disruptive ancestry because it is still very much a part of the DNA. And while drivetrains and technology has come a long way over the decades Range Rover’s philosophy of being able to draw together different elements to create something cool and unique is very much still a foundation.
The design of the Range Rover Sport Range follows this recipe also weaving together contradictory elements to weave together fine details, tough elements, a muscular stance and a sweeping sculptural form that draws from its famous heritage yet has a definite nod to the future.
And speaking of the future the 2023 range gets an extended-Range Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain option. New Zealand customers also get the option of a potent 390kW 4.4-litre V8 or 221kW 3.0-litre turbo six-cylinder diesel but it was the PHEV that we test-drove and fell in love with.
Within this powertrain is exactly that genius mix that I eluded to at the start. The Tomato sauce and mayonnaise of the motoring world if you will. The general concept of a plug-in hybrid is that you get the best of both worlds. The range that comes from the internal combustion engine while also the around town quietness, green credentials and the best parking spots in the mall that comes from having a plug-in electric. But somehow the Range Rover engineers have blended these two things together to accentuate the power of the ICE engine, the smoothness of the electric and the interplay between the two. It’s a weird thing to try and describe but it is like a salsa dance between the two forces. Just without the bronzer and sequins. The two come together and there is just this extra X factor. When it wants it can be ultra quiet and when you need to let it roar it will. When it comes to power delivery, the gasoline engine takes centre stage in ensuring performance while the electric motor steps in to offer an additional surge during initial acceleration, minimising delays between gear shifts.
This electric assistance not only increases the vehicle’s total power output but also plays a role in creating a more seamless driving encounter. With its gentle hum and understated growl, the Range Rover Sport PHEV masterfully blends opulence and high-performance capabilities.
Thanks to its substantial battery capacity, the Range Rover Sport PHEV can cover an electric range of up to 113 km on a single charge, making it ideal for daily commuting or short trips without any tailpipe emissions and charging the new Range Rover Sport PHEV is as convenient as it is efficient. With rapid DC charging, the battery can be charged from zero to 80 percent in just an hour, allowing you to quickly top up the battery during a break for a cup of tea.
In regards to the all-important on-road/off-road flexibility the 2023 Ranger Rover line-up covers both without breaking a sweat. On road, it drives with a level of stability that belies its size. I have no idea what sort of dark arts have gone into this lack of body roll but the engineers will probably point to the Dynamic Air Suspension and Adaptive Dynamics2 technology which manages Active Twin Valve Dampers and monitors external variables at a rapid rate of up to 500 occurrences per second but I like to think that one of them sold their soul in exchange for perfect stability. And it was probably worth it. The responsiveness displayed by the suspension system is remarkable not only around corners but also during braking and acceleration manoeuvres. Typically, larger vehicles exhibit a noticeable dip during braking as the weight shifts forward. However, the 2023 Range Rover mitigates this effect by swiftly adjusting the suspension’s firmness upon braking.
Similarly, during acceleration, the suspension system adapts to eliminate excessive squat, resulting in a balanced and minimal-inertia sensation.
These factors also contribute to the all-important off-road capability too with attributes like an impressive wading depth of up to 900mm and specialised drive modes including Rock Crawl and Mud and Rut, while Hill Descent Control system adeptly manages braking, throttle, and transmission functions. There is also Terrain Response2 which operates like a digital sherpa, it bringing in automatic surface and terrain recognition and fine-tuning the chassis along the way while giving you updates via the intuitive PIVI Pro touchscreen.
And this touchscreen is quite the star. It is a very cool reversed curved 13.1-inch which sits as a centrepiece on the dash and is complimented by a 13.7-inch Interactive Driver Display. There’s a tonne of connectivity and infotainment options but there is also something really pared back, subtle and sophisticated about the integration of the tech with the luxe minimal interior. It’s just slick. There are other areas where cool high-tech wizardry meets considered functional design like the deployable door handles and side treads. There’s actually more tech than I have space to cover but the mastery really is in how it balances with such a refined and sophisticated package but one that can also be a bit of a beast off-road when it needs to be.
It is such an enigma to pin down but there is something utterly disruptive about combing these elements to really shift the dial on the concept of a PHEV. I think 70s Granddad Range Rover would be quite chuffed about this new generation in a chin-up, subtle sort of way. I actually shed a tear when I had to hand back the keys and had to console myself with some fish and chips and just the right blend of tomato sauce and mayonnaise.
