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NEWS
Range Rover Hybrid and nine-speed Evoque looming
New technology from prestige SUV brand due sooner rather than laterRange Rover says it will launch its nine-speed-equipped Evoque into the local market from January. The hybrid-powered traditional Rangie is due here early in Q2 next year (2014). Both models are arriving sooner than previously anticipated.
The Evoque is set to take fuel economy and offroad capability even further with the aid of its new transmission. The nine-speed ZF unit (9HP) – which will supersede the current six-speed automatic – will continue to be offered alongside a six-speed manual.
Speaking at the prototype drive of the new Range Rover Sport this week, local spokesman, James Scrimshaw says the new transmission is designed for front- and all-wheel drive applications and will be adopted for petrol, diesel and hybrid applications. At 6mm longer, but 7.5kg lighter than the model it replaces, it is also said to offer “significant” improvements in fuel consumption (by as much as 16 per cent) and CO2 emissions, while also reducing NVH levels.
“[The] nine-speed 2014 model year Range Rover Evoque is due here in January 2014,” said Scrimshaw. “It may be a couple of weeks earlier or later, depending on when we get our first build.”
“This [transmission] will be available on both petrol and diesel, and we expect that it will be popular with potential customers and help to maintain the healthy sales rate we are currently observing,” he added.
Sales of the Evoque are down 14 per cent compared to the same time last year, when the vehicle was still fresh to market. However, the gains in economy and ability the nine-speeder will add to the equation, and a couple of minor cosmetic tweaks, could again see the niche model clamber above the 1000-odd monthly sales it currently achieves.
Full-size Range Rover models are also set to receive a technological shot in the arm when a diesel-electric hybrid joins the range from early Q2 (2014). Originally slated for a mid-year arrival, the British brand’s first electrified model will sit atop a line-up comprising V6 and V8 diesel and petrol models. This means a price tag of close to $200,000.
Range Rover says the hybrid-powered model will achieve a combined cycle fuel consumption tally of just 6.3L/100km with CO2 emissions of 169g/km – that’s around 40 per cent cleaner than the best of the outgoing models. Plus, with more than 250kW it will be quicker to 100km/h than the previous TDV8 by as much as 25 per cent.
“Both the Hybrid Range Rover and Range Rover Sport are likely to arrive in Q2, 2014,” confirmed Scrimshaw. “Again, we are waiting on notification of first build so the exact month is hard to pinpoint at this stage. We expect that it will be a popular addition to the model line-up and something that our customers will be attracted to.”
The new Range Rover sold 137 units for the month of May, giving it a 93 per cent jump over its predecessor. The Range Rover will be joined by its smaller, more agile sibling, the Sport, from late November this year (2013).
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Written byMatt Brogan
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