The 2014 Range Rover Sport Will be Available With a Hybrid Powertrain

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - April 10, 2013 - PRLog -- Shoppers in the Chicago area who are looking for a new luxury SUV can expect new efficient options at Land Rover Hoffman Estates (http://www.landroverhoffman.com/dealership/about.htm) in the near future. Land Rover has generally been known for incredible off-road capability as opposed to on-road efficiency, but that looks like it’s all about to change with the new next-generation 2014 Range Rover Sport. A diesel hybrid powertrain promises impressive efficiency numbers. Land Rover also plans to debut two new efficient diesel options and other advancements in engineering that should lead to improved fuel economy.

The Range Rover Sport is completely redesigned for 2014, with a new, significantly lighter aluminum chassis that should lead to improved efficiency and better handling. The body of the new Range Rover Sport is actually 39% — or 800 pounds — lighter than the previous model. Despite the diet, the body should actually be stiffer, leading to more confident handling both on and off the road.  

The diesel-hybrid vehicle should be among the world’s most capable hybrid off-road vehicles. The hybrid system will include a 3.0L turbodiesel engine and an electric motor connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission. That should lead to a maximum fuel economy of around 37 mpg on the highway. The electric motor not only helps with efficiency, it actually boosts power, too. Land Rover estimates a total system output of around 333 hp and a 0-to-60-mph time of around seven seconds. For comparison, that’s only a second and a half more than the 2013 Range Rover Sport (http://www.landroverhoffman.com/2013-range-rover-sport.htm) when equipped with a 5.0L V8 engine.

Since the hybrid was conceived from the ground up, Land Rover engineers managed to integrate the lithium-ion battery and electric motor in a way that does not hamper overall off-road performance. Unfortunately, the Range Rover Sport diesel hybrid probably won’t be hitting North America for a couple years due to emissions standards; however, in 2015, new standards in Europe will essentially match those in the United States, so there won’t be much standing in the way.

Land Rover Hoffman Estates will have more details on the new Range Rover Sport Hybrid as they become available. Interested buyers can visit Land Rover Hoffman Estates, one of the leading Chicago area Land Rover dealers at 1051 W. Higgins Rd. Hoffman Estates to find out more about the current Land Rover lineup (http://www.landroverhoffman.com/showroom/index.htm).