2013 debut for hybrid Range Rover Sport

Porsche, Lexus and BMW are among the manufacturers who have waded into the hybrid SUV fray, and now Land Rover is set to follow suit.

The British all-terrainer specialist has confirmed its first hybrid models will be launched in 2013, and for now it has released images and a few details of the so-called 'Range_e', which packs a diesel-electric powertrain in a current-gen Range Rover Sport bodyshell.

A report by UK's Car magazine indicates tests will begin later this year with a fleet of five hybrids, but the technology won't be commercially available until 2013 -- the same year that the all-new Range Rover (the full-sizer, not the Sport) is due to hit the market.

That said, sources quoted by the publication suggest the Range Rover Sport will be the first vehicle to adopt the new diesel-electric powertrain, with the Range Rover and Discovery next in line.

Drive is relayed to wheels via a ZF eight-speed automatic adapted to the powertrain, and it's reportedly no larger in physical dimensions than a conventional transmission. However, according to Car, the hybrid powertrain adds 110kg to the vehicle's kerb weight.

Also in the pipeline is a petrol hybrid to target the diesel-averse markets such as the United States and the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the next-gen Range Rover will reportedly feature lightweight aluminium tech (a la Jaguar XJ) and its electronics will advance to a whole new level. The hybrid model will be followed in 2015 by a plug-in hybrid, reports Car.

The plug-in hybrid is said to offer great benefits for inner-city commuting, and the company's chief engineer of hybrids, Peter Richings, was quoted as saying: "It means you can drive a Range Rover for at least 20 miles (32km) on full electric power around town, (with) emissions of less than 100g/km and speeds of up to 70mph (112km/h) in EV mode."

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