Facelifted Range Rover gets PHEV power

The Range Rover is getting a facelift just in time for 2018 which will include the introduction of a PHEV version.

Badged the P400e PHEV, as part of Land Rover and Jaguar's move to a new naming system, it's powered by the same powertrain as the recently introduced Range Rover Sport PHEV.

That's a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 300PS alongside an 85kW electric motor, providing 404PS in total. Even more impressive is the 640Nm of torque, all available from a standstill, giving this particular version of the Range Rover a 0-62mph time of 6.4 seconds.

The P400e PHEV - available in both standard and long wheelbase - has an electric-only range of 31 miles, a few miles less than the Audi Q7 e-tron manages, while CO2 emissions of 64g/km mean it is exempt from the London Congestion Charge.

A full charge from a rapid charger takes 2 hours and 45 minutes while from a standard three-pin 10amp socket it will take 7 and a half hours. The battery comes with an eight-year, 100,000-mile, 70 per cent state of health warranty.

Alongside the introduction of the PHEV, the Range Rover is getting a facelift with new front seats that are wider and deeper, with 24-way movement, plus a heated armrest.

The rear has been completely redesigned and also gets new seats which recline 40 degrees plus heated arm, foot and calf rests. Because that's something everyone needs...

All the seats can be controlled from a smartphone app. Massage seats are available with 25 programmes including Hot Stone massage technology.

Other new features include a new Touch Pro Duo touchscreen system, a gesture controlled sunblind (why a button isn't good enough is beyond us), cabin air ionisation and pixel-laser LED headlights no less.

The SVAutobiography Dynamic has been uprated with 565PS - a 15PS increase - giving it a 0-60mph time of 5.1 seconds. Extra design features include a Graphite Atlas mesh grille with chrome inserts and a revised rear bumper with integrated metal tailpipes.