The new plug‑in hybrid Discovery Sport and Evoque have 305bhp

Taking a leaf out of the firm’s flagship hybrid models, the latest Evoque and Discovery Sport variants to join the range, both badged P300e PHEV, have been given the plug-in treatment for what is being hailed as a major boost for Land Rover’s most popular models.

With some astonishing new figures for a Land/Range Rover – such as 201mpg and 32g/km of CO2 for official purposes – the new pair are the company’s much-needed key to unlocking for owners the tax savings, cost concessions and efficiency advantages that go with plug-in hybrids (PHEV) thanks to their ability to travel some distance in electric-only mode – something that Land Rover’s mild hybrids (which continue in the range alongside the newcomers) aren’t able to do.

The two SUVs get a whole new drivetrain designed specifically for the new platform that underpins both cars. Driving the front wheels via a new eight-speed auto transmission is the latest in the Ingenium engine family, a lightweight turbo three-cylinder of 1.5-litres and 200PS (197bhp). Mounted on the rear axle is a 109PS (108bhp) electric motor fed by a 15kWh lithium-ion battery located below the rear seats.

Total system power is the same for both models: 309PS (305bhp) backed up by 540Nm (398 lb ft) of torque, enough to give these £45,000 cars appropriate performance – best 0-62mph time is 6.4 seconds – while also ensuring all-wheel-drive traction is available when needed, along with what Land Rover says is untarnished off-road ability.

The driver can choose to drive with petrol power only, electric only, or a combination of them both. There is also a mode that ensures the battery charge is maintained so that, on entering a city after a motorway journey for instance, there will be enough juice for electric only running through built-up areas.

In keeping with other plug-in hybrids, that zero emissions range is up to 41 miles for the Evoque (38 for the Discovery) which Land Rover says will be sufficient for most people’s daily commute on a single charge (their research shows the average vehicle commute in the UK is 18.8 miles a day). The cars can run at up to 84mph in electric mode. And of course when the battery does go flat you have the petrol motor and regular fuel tank to allow a normal touring range.

The battery pack gets a power top-up from energy recuperation via a new brake-by-wire system that can deliver up to 0.2g of regenerative deceleration. But you will still need to plug the P300e PHEV models in. Do that at home via a normal three-pin plug and a full charge is an overnight job (actually 6 hours 42 minutes). But there are quicker options: an AC home wallbox delivers an 80 per cent charge in 1 hour 24 minutes while a 32kW DC fast pubic charger can do the same in just 30 minutes.

Land Rover production may still be on hold during the coronavirus pandemic, but the firm is now taking orders for these important new arrivals which for many owners, and company drivers especially, won’t have arrived a moment too soon. Both models are available in a range of equipment levels, with prices for the Evoque P300s PHEV starting from £43,850 and the Discovery Sport P300e PHEV from £45,370.

Land Rover says likely strong secondhand values, fuel savings and significantly cheaper company car tax will make the newcomers a natural choice for some drivers.

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