New Range Rover Sport HST gets JLR's first mild-hybrid powertrain

Land Rover has added a new straight-six mild hybrid Ingenium petrol engine to the Range Rover Sport line-up, debuting first in a special edition model.

The Range Rover Sport HST, priced from £81,250 (Rs 74 lakh), uses a 395bhp in-line six that replaces the old V6 petrol. It’s said to offer more performance and greater refinement, while at the same time improving fuel economy and emissions.

The unit features an electric supercharger, able to spool up to 120,000rpm in half a second to the firm claims, 'virtually eliminate' lag from the twin-scroll turbocharger. The motor itself produces 406lb ft of peak torque.

It’s also the first Jaguar Land Rover production model to market with a mild-hybrid system, as part of the firm’s plan to offer an electrified variant on every model launched from 2020. The 48v system harvests energy through regenerative braking, storing it in a small battery that can offer electrical assistance when pulling away.

The new engine makes the Range Rover Sport HST capable of 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds, while going on to a top speed of 140mph. Fuel economy is rated at 30.5mpg, with CO2 emissions of 213g/km, under the old NEDC measuring regime. 

Like the current range of four-cylinder Ingenium engines, the new straight-six has been designed and developed in-house and will be built at JLR’s Wolverhampton engine facility. 

The HST special edition also brings with it unique combinations of exterior and interior upgrades, including carbon fibre trim, red brake callipers, and ‘suede cloth’ detailing on the wheel and gear lever.