10 Reasons to Wait Until Summer 2018 for the Plug-In Hybrid Range Rover Sport

Winter is on its way, which means everyone is thinking about getting a vehicle designed to handle the worst Mother Nature can muster. What this often means is that you want to get a capable SUV like a Range Rover. There are great choices you can buy now — but also one that you can't.

Land Rover has announced it will build its first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle: the 2018 Range Rover Sport P400e, which will go on sale next summer. This is excellent news for Range Rover fans who have been craving a hybrid choice, but unfortunately, you can’t get one in time for this winter. Here are 10 reasons to wait.

Land Rover isn’t simply adding a new hybrid powertrain option to the existing Range Rover Sport lineup. The entire model range is getting an update whether you opt for the new hybrid or one of the powerful gas engines. If you can wait until next summer, your Range Rover won’t just have a new powertrain, but also a new look and new technologies.

Design changes were made inside and out to keep the Range Rover Sport aggressive and athletic while still retaining its unique appeal. There is also a new Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, greater connectivity options and a refined interior that make it worth waiting until next summer to park one in your driveway.

Up front, there are new lights and a slimmer grille along with an updated front bumper. The new bumper not only gives the Range Rover Sport a fresher look but also improves airflow for better cooling. Land Rover also added LED fog lights that are likewise slimmer and brighter for better visibility when you need it most.

Around back, a slotted spoiler helps keep dirt off the rear window. It’s designed to complement the changes up front, creating a new sharper profile for the Sport.

Inside there are new color choices and redesigned front seats. The cushions are less bulky, taking up less space, but provide better support through the use of new foam materials. There’s also new ambient lighting with up to 10 different color choices to create the perfect mood inside your Sport.

Storage is improved with a larger center cubby and a double-level hinged tray. A new Nanoe cabin air ionization system makes sure the air quality in the cabin is optimal. It reduces allergens, viruses, and odors and can be switched on and off via the climate screen. There’s also a new gesture sunblind that you can open and close by merely swiping your hand in front of the rearview mirror.

Infotainment in the 2018 Range Rover Sport includes the new Touch Pro Duo system, nicknamed “Blade” by the development team. It features two high-definition 10-inch touchscreens and uses the same tap, swipe and pinch motions found on tablets. It has a customizable home screen, and the upper screen can even be angled to adjust for glare.

Information is divided between the two screens to keep the driver informed. While the upper screen shows navigation, the lower screen continues to provide access to other features like climate control, vehicle settings, phone information and music selections.

Everyone stays connected with up to 14 outlets located throughout the cabin supporting a combination of USB, HDMI, and 12V plugs to accommodate a variety of devices. There’s also 4G Wi-Fi that supports up to eight connections.

Land Rover’s Activity Key wristband is also available for the first time on the 2018 Range Rover Sport. It lets you lock and unlock your car without the need for the key fob. It’s an ideal solution for those who plan outdoor activities where a key fob could be easily lost or damaged. It’s waterproof down to 18 meters and can withstand temps as low as minus-50 degrees or as high as 125 degrees.

The Range Rover Sport P400e has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine paired to an 85 kW electric motor with a 7-kW on-board charger. This gives it a total of 404 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque, so it isn’t going to be a hybrid that leaves you wanting for power when you press the accelerator. In fact, the numbers are darned impressive.

The goal in the design of this new powertrain was to provide all the power and capability of the Land Rover brand with the fuel efficiency of a hybrid. Land Rover says its new hybrid will go from 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds with a top speed of 137 mph.

The charging port for the Sport P400e is on the front of the vehicle tucked behind the grille, so you don’t even notice the door unless you’re looking. It charges for 2 hours 45 minutes using 32-amp rapid charging. Using the 10-amp home charging cable that comes as a standard feature, you can be fully charged and ready to go in 7.5 hours.

Land Rover integrated the hybrid into its InControl mobile app to give you the tools to need to monitor your vehicle. There's no need to run out and check on it; instead, the app shows the current charge level and how much longer you’ll need to wait to be fully charged.

The Sport has several drive modes that let you tailor the powertrain to suit your tastes. Parallel Hybrid mode is the default and it uses a combination of the gas engine and electric motor. In this setting, you can choose two functions to enhance your drive further. The Save function keeps the battery from dropping below a specified level, while the Predictive Energy Optimization function uses navigation information to alternate between the electric and gas motors for peak fuel economy.

EV mode operates the vehicle with only the electric motor with zero emissions and no engine noise. This mode is limited to the Sport’s estimated 31-mile all-electric range, at which time the gas engine resumes operation in Parallel Hybrid mode.

The Range Rover brand is renowned for its capability, and the 2018 Sport has new features to uphold that reputation. Anyone who has ever towed knows how difficult it is to master the counter-steering needed to put the trailer where you want it when you’re in reverse. It’s a skill that takes time to learn, but new Advanced Tow Assist makes it easy.

The system lets drivers select the path they want for the trailer by turning the Terrain Response controller. Once that route is selected, the driver then operates only the pedals. The system takes over steering and guides the trailer into the preselected space.

Land Rover tailored its four-wheel drive systems to work specifically with the new hybrid powertrain. Its Terrain Response 2 system is calibrated to distribute torque to all four wheels, accounting for the fact that maximum torque is available instantly with the electric motor. This provides better control and ensures the Range Rover Sport P400e still delivers a genuine Land Rover experience off-road.

Even the positioning of the 13.1 kWh prismatic cell lithium-ion battery was chosen with handling in mind. It’s mounted in the rear below the trunk floor to maintain a balanced weight distribution.