All Land Rover models to be hybrid, PHEV by end-2019

Land Rover, on the back of a turbulent period, has announced that it will undergo an “extremely significant two-year period of consolidation and expansion.” According to an Autocar report, the move will define the automaker for the next decade.

Part of its plan is to launch four new vehicles, but the bigger story is that the brand will expand its electrified line-up. The report adds that all new Land Rover models from late 2019 will be available with a mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains – the recently-unveiled Range Rover Evoque will also be available as a PHEV.

Also on the roster is the fifth-generation Range Rover, which is expected to be unveiled in 2021. The mainstream version of the new flagship will be a PHEV based on an all-new aluminium platform, dubbed MLA. It’s lighter than the current JLR aluminium architecture, and it can accommodate both conventional engine and electric propulsion systems.

Apparently, there will be an all-electric Range Rover, but the model will specifically be targeted at city users, particular in east Asia. The majority of sales, however, are expected to be of the PHEV variant, which will combine the new straight-six Ingenium engine with twin electric motors – one assisting the front wheels and one driving the rear axle.

That, plus the fitment of a battery pack that’s said to provide enough juice for 64-km of pure electric driving, sounds like a hefty system, but Land Rover engineers hope that the lighter platform and downsized engine can offset the weight gain.

The mild-hybrid model, on the other hand, will use a very similar setup to the Range Rover Sport, so expect 300- to 400 hp versions of the new straight-six Ingenium engine assisted by both a 48-volt electric supercharger and a twin-scroll turbocharger. An energy recovery system will be deployed to help power the electric supercharger as well.

Speaking of which, the Range Rover Sport is said to receive a significant mid-life update, and the refreshed model will also be available as a plug-in hybrid. Meanwhile, the first globally targeted Land Rover EV (dubbed the ‘Road Rover’) will sit much closer to the ground and be more aerodynamic than its stablemates. The EV will compete with Porsche’s next-gen electric Macan and be twinned with the new Jaguar XJ.

The future, MLA-based Velar could also be offered in pure-electric form, but that model is thought to be over four years away from launch. It currently remains at the planning stage. Other possible models include a mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid Defender (with an electrically powered rear axle), as well as a significantly updated and electrified Discovery Sport to compete against stiff competition.

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