Goodbye Range Rover V8 diesel, hello hybrid

Out go the V6 and V8 diesels and in comes the Ingenium 3.0-litre straight-six diesel in new mild-hybrid (MHEV) form, with 48-volt electrics to boost efficiency and refinement. Available with either 300PS or 350PS, the latest engine is now the only diesel choice for both cars and joins a petrol line-up that already comprises a hybrid model in the form of the plug-in P400e, with its 25-mile electric-only range.

As mild hybrids the new diesels can’t run on battery power alone and are being aimed at high-mileage drivers and those who regularly tow. The D350 boasts 700Nm of torque which is as much as the supercharged V8 offers; the D300 has an almost as impressive 650Nm, also from 1,500rpm. Land Rover says the aluminium Ingenium engine’s six-pot layout gives it a performance advantage over the outgoing SUVs with the old and heavier V8 diesel.

The new engine also promises to be smoother than the previous diesels, as well as being designed to meet the latest global emissions regs. The MHEV Range Rover and Sport are among an elite band of full-sized luxury SUVs to meet the latest (RDE2) standard on nasty NOx emissions. On fuel consumption, the D300 achieves 33mpg on the WLTP test cycle.

The Range Rover, which starts from £83,465, is also newly available in three special models which join the limited-edition Range Rover Fifty – marking the car’s 1970 launch – already announced.

The Westminster is a UK-only special with either the new diesel or plug-in electric power, and extras that include privacy glass, Atlas exterior accents, 21-inch diamond-turned alloys, black cabin veneers, suedecloth headlining, a sliding panoramic roof and soft-close doors. The Westminster Black Edition gives you all as well plus, you guessed it, lots of black detailing, including new wheel choices up to 22-inch gloss black nine split-spoke wheels. The third new edition is the SVAutobiography Dynamic Black – now with more gloss back accents on the body than ever.

Specials are also flavour of the month with the Range Rover Sport, priced from £65,295. The latest is the HSW Dynamic Black – think the already-plushly equipped HSE along with all the black trims, a fixed panoramic roof, and Meridian surround sound system. If you want to give the black a rest you can get a similarly enhanced package with the HSE Silver edition, which comes with the option of new paint colours, or go the whole hog with the SVR Carbon Edition. With carbon inserts, 22-inch wheels and the 575PS V8 under the bonnet that’s the performance choice.

All the new specials apart from the SV models are available with the new mild hybrid diesel engine and can be ordered now.