The wait is finally over. Auto enthusiasts throughout the space have been waiting on bated breath for Range Rover’s official unveiling of the 2023 Range Rover, and the wait was worth it. The British automaker has opened orders for two new Range Rovers in 2023: an Extended Range Plug-in Hybrid and the more opulent Range Rover SV flagship. While the more luxurious SV is exciting, the big news is undoubtedly that we are getting our first PHEV version of the Range Rover, which continues the industry-wide shift towards electrification.
The P440e Extended-Range Plug-in Hybrid model looks as sophisticated and elegant as any Range Rover. It builds on the classic design elements we know and love about the brand, and now, it has an all-new drivetrain to boot. Sporting a 3.0L 6-cylinder Ingenium gas engine with a 105kW motor, the PHEV model has an impressive EV range of 48 miles. While that may not seem like a lot compared to the ranges of strictly electric vehicles, the average person’s daily commute is only around 30 miles, which means this new model’s EV setting would sufficiently cover most people’s daily journey.
Another feature that augments the PHEV model’s versatility is its ability to offer 50kW DC rapid charging, which can charge its battery to 80% in under an hour. From a performance perspective, the PHEV Range Rover benefits from the enhanced torque that electric powertrains offer through Torque Vectoring, along with an Electronic Air Suspension to improve handling. An Electronic Active Rear Locking Differential rounds out the new Range Rover’s handling by adding traction on corners and off-road by controlling the wheels of the rear axle.
More than anything, the new Range Rover proves that embracing electrification does not equate to conceding performance capabilities, style, or status. Range Rover will prove that claim further when it releases its first-ever fully electric SUV in 2024. For now, interested parties can get their orders in for the 2023 Range Rover P440e Extended Range Plug-in Hybrid, which starts at $104,900.
