There is absolutely no need for this page to rattle on about the legend that is the Range Rover. Born of the original, agricultural Land Rover Series, this fine car has just about reached the pinnacle of automotive excellence. Few can rival its ability on and off road. Now though, this prestige model has taken on board electric power; yes, it is a hybrid and it works exceedingly well. This latest Range Rover variant is available in SE, HSE and Autobiography models, as is usual for this brand.
The P440e Extended-Range Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) offers exceptional efficiency, producing CO² emissions as low as 18g/km and providing up to 70 miles (113km) of EV range. That’s the manufacturer figure; in the real world this is more likely to be around 55 miles of pure electric driving, but this means that a great many shorter trips can be made under electric power alone without recourse to the 3.0 litre six-cylinder Ingenium engine which otherwise powers the premium SUV from 0-60mph in 5.3 seconds.
The 440 details the brake horse power and the ‘e’ signifies the fitment of a 38.2kWh battery and a 141hp electric motor, with an 8-speed automatic transmission and, of course, all-wheel drive. There is a more powerful P510e variant but for most users the P440e will prove to be more than sufficient and is certainly the more popular version.
On The Outside
Clearly, for most motoring fans, the Range Rover does not need describing. Long gone is the ‘sit-up-and-beg’ design of the original, the latest models are sleek and refined, as can be seen from our images. This is a big car, make no mistake about that and one of the biggest visual exterior changes features new thin, vertical rear lights. Along with the split rear tailgate that still opens at the bottom to create a seat, this helps to set it apart from the Range Rover Sport, which has horizontal rear lights and a one-piece opening tailgate.
The door handles sit flush to the body when not in use and the boot (trunk) accommodates 818 litres of luggage. Standard Range Rovers can have five or seven seats (at the expense of boot space) but this hybrid only offers five. 22 inch ‘diamond-cut’ alloy wheels finish off the package.
On The Inside
Again, this is a Range Rover so buyers know what to expect. Expect a healthy amount of kit and connectivity plus the high-tech safety features, even in the ‘base’ model. The front is dominated by the 13.1 inch ‘Pivi Pro’ touchscreen. While some screens are often a trial to use, this one is simplicity itself, with clear and unambiguous instructions. The interior is beautifully made with fit and finish that is second to none. The seats are an ‘Ultrafabrics/Kvadrat’ (bewildering names these space-age fabrics get) mix which are essentially artificial leather and wool. The wood trim is a matt-finish natural brown walnut with a modern twist inlay.
The rear seats are not just seats but ‘Executive Class’ seats and the electric centre armrest, complete with touchscreen to control the various functions back there, serves up the entertainment quotient. Four-zone climate control makes travel pleasant as well as comfortable.
Power & Efficiency
Grace and pace is the expression here. The huge capability of this plug-in hybrid is signified in their performance and efficiency. The P440e Range Rover is also one of the few PHEV models to offer 50kW DC rapid charging capability and can charge up to 80 per cent in under an hour, making it one of the fastest charging plug-in hybrids.
On The Road
It’s well known that the 3.0L Ingenium engine in the Range Rover is a very refined unit and works in conjunction with the hybrid technology. The driver can select ‘Save’ for long motorway trips to preserve the battery charge, or select Hybrid for mixed driving. A worthy note is that the hybrid system does a good job of choosing between electric and petrol power, for example running on electric power only when at a standstill. The dashboard array enables the driver to see if the car is running on electric or fossil fuel.
As might be expected, on the road the P440e is quiet, comfortable and refined. This is how to travel over long distances in style, with noise cancellation keeping the real world road roar at bay. Technology allows this huge motor to handle very well thanks to ‘Adaptive Dynamics’ which monitors body and steering movements up to 500 times a second and reacting by offering continuously variable damper settings. The result is excellent ride quality and very impressive body control.
There are steering wheel-mounted paddles but they don’t allow any control over electrical brake regeneration. Leave it in auto. To crack on a bit on a good driving road select ‘S’ using the gear selector and ‘Dynamic’ on the Terrain Response 2 dial; this will liven things up for a spirited drive.
The Terrain Response 2 system on Range Rovers is legendary. It doesn’t get any better than this when the going gets tough. As well as Dynamic, Eco and Comfort, there’s Grass Gravel Snow, Mud Ruts, Sand, Rock Crawl and Wade. By selecting the vehicle symbol on the touchscreen the air suspension by 75mm for extra ground clearance. ground clearance. Low range and four-wheel steering fill out this complete off road package.
Find Out More
Range Rovers, with perhaps one or two exceptions, can’t be beaten for all-round excellence. MHH International can offer a comprehensive service to import your Range Rover P440e (or other versions including a V8) from the UK to Kenya, New Zealand and other global destinations. Get in touch to find out more.
