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Report: Land Rover confirms first production hybrid coming in 2013

Chris Shunk — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Land Rover, Electric

2011 Range Rover Range_e - Click above for high-res image gallery

Land Rover models are high-end luxury SUVs with an ardent fan base. But while these pricey utes are popular, they're also quite thirsty at the pump, and between rising gas prices and increased legislative pressures regarding C02 emissions, the British automaker has undertaken an alternative fuel strategy that should begin paying off soon.

Land Rover Brand Director John Edwards tells Inside Line that the Tata Motors-owned automaker will start its production alt-fuel strategy with a gasoline hybrid under the hood of the Range Rover in 2013, followed by a range-extended hybrid in 2014. The Chevrolet Volt-like range extender will likely involve a larger battery pack and motor that do most of the work and a small gasoline engine that will charge the battery. This top-down approach means that bigger, more expensive Rovers will receive the hybrid tech first. The move will reportedly result in a greater impact on overall emissions, and lower-end models like the forthcoming Evoque may not receive battery assistance any time soon. Bigger models are typically more expensive, too, which means that the cost of the electric propulsion tech can be better hidden in the MSRP.

Also unlikely, according to IL, is a diesel-powered hybrid like the Range_e concept from the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. While very efficient with a theoretical 85 miles per gallon and a 20 mile electric-only mode, the diesel engine coupled with all that battery tech would make the utility vehicles far too expensive.

Keep in mind that Tata Motors also owns Jaguar, so you can bet that any gas-electric technology used by Land Rover will also be used by the Leaping Cat.

We're pretty excited about the prospect of highly efficient Range Rovers, but this sort of technology has a way of taking longer to get to market than automakers initially forecast. Land Rover has a bit of time before 2013 happens, though, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Gallery: Land Rover Range_e plug-in diesel hybrid: Geneva 2011

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Noah Joseph / AOL

[Source: Inside Line]

Report: Land Rover confirms first production hybrid coming in 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: Land Rover shows off Range Rover Sport plug-in diesel hybrid

Aaron Richardson — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Land Rover, Diesel, Off-Road

2011 Range Rover Range_e - Click above for high-res image gallery

Land Rover has debuted its Range_e, a plug-in diesel hybrid, at the Geneva Motor Show. According to Land Rover, the Range_e can go up to 20 miles in full-electric mode, and return 85 mpg and 88 grams of C02 per kilometer. Not too shabby for an SUV.

Beyond the impressive electric capabilities, the Range_e is being touted as the world's first 4WD plug-in hybrid diesel. As you can plainly see, the Range_e is based on the Range Rover Sport and is powered by Range Rover's 3.0-liter 240-horsepower TDV6 and a 69 kW electric motor. The Range_e can be recharged from a standard household power supply in less than four hours, so plan ahead if the battery's dead and you have errands to run, otherwise you'll be stuck with the diesel mill.

Land Rover isn't saying whether it considers the Range_e to be a concept or a production-intent model, but it is saying that the electrified SUV is part of its $1.3 billion 2008 plan to reduce carbon emissions by a quarter by 2012. Check out the official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Land Rover Range_e plug-in diesel hybrid: Geneva 2011

Gallery: 2011 Range Rover Range_e

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Noah Joseph / AOL

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Geneva 2011: Land Rover shows off Range Rover Sport plug-in diesel hybrid

Geneva 2011: Land Rover shows off Range Rover Sport plug-in diesel hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover promises Range_e plug-in diesel hybrid for Geneva

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Land Rover, Luxury

Land Rover Range_e plug-in diesel hybrid is heading to Geneva - Click above for high-res image gallery

Land Rover is gearing up for the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and it's bringing new four models to show off, one of which shows the automaker is thinking a bit more green. The Land Rover Range_e plug-in diesel hybrid will be on display. Power for the electrified Range Rover Sport comes courtesy of a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 paired with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, as well as an electric motor. The Range_e's driving range is said to be nearly 700 miles and it can drive approximately 20 miles on electric power alone, which should be good enough to get the SUV into the heart of London.

Also getting the bright light auto show treatment are the luxurious Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition, Evoque in two and four-door guise and the 2011 Discovery/LR4 Landmark Edition. The Autobiography Ultimate is described as the most luxurious Land Rover ever produced and features yacht-inspired teak flooring and Apple iPad tablets for the rear passengers. The Evoque will be featured in a handful of trims that offer unique customization options for consumers. Finally, the limited-edition Landmark LR4 will be available in either a Black or a White theme with upscale interiors and unique color treatments.

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Land Rover promises Range_e plug-in diesel hybrid for Geneva

Land Rover promises Range_e plug-in diesel hybrid for Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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