Range Rover, Range Rover Sport 2021 edition debut with new engines

As Land Rover celebrates its 50th anniversary of the launch of the original Range Rover in 1970, both, the current-gen Range Rover and the Range Rover Sport will get mechanical updates for the 2021 model year.

New diesel engines

The biggest update will be the introduction of the new 6-cylinder diesel engines from JLR's Ingenium family. The all-aluminium, 3.0-litre inline-six unit, featuring a 48V mild-hybrid setup, is said to be soother and more refined than previous similarly-sized diesel offerings from JLR. The new engines will also meet the RDE2 or Real Driving Emission Step 2 norms that are far more stringent as compared to our own BS6 norms here in India. Internationally, the engine will be available in three stages of tune and on both the Range Rover and the Range Rover Sport – D250 (249hp/600N), D300 (300hp/650Nm), D350 (350hp/700Nm).

Updated petrol engines

Range Rover
The Range Rover will get the choice of three petrol engines – a 2.0-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid, a 3.0-litre six-cylinder motor, and, of course, the range-topping 5.0-litre supercharged V8. The new P400e plug-in hybrid makes a total of 404hp and 640Nm of torque  – 300hp from the four-cylinder turbo-petrol and 143hp from the electric motor – and offers an all-electric range of 41km. The electric motor is powered by a 13.1kWh battery and can be quick-charged in under 3 hours. The 3.0-litre petrol or P400 makes 400hp and 550Nm of torque, while the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 gets two engine tunes – 525hp/625Nm or 565hp/700Nm.

Range Rover Sport
The petrol engine options on the Range Rover Sport are slightly more extensive. The base engine offering on the Sport is the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged P300 (300hp/400Nm). Other engine options include the 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder units in 360hp/495Nm or 400hp/550Nm states of tune and the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 that is available in 525hp/625Nm and 575hp/700Nm forms. The Range Rover Sport, too, gets the P400e plug-in hybrid engine option that makes a total of 404hp and 640Nm of torque. This engine also helps the Range Rover Sport sprint from 0-100kmph in just 6.7 seconds.

Special editions to celebrate 50 years
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Range Rover, the automaker will release a host of special editions. The most notable of the lot is the Range Rover Fifty, which will have a limited run of only 1970 vehicles. The special-edition will be based on Autobiography variant on both, the standard and the long-wheelbase models, and will feature special paint shades that were a part of the Range Rover’s original colour options. The special-edition will also get a special 50 script on the exterior, along with a plaque that will state 1 of 1970 in the interior. Other special editions include the Westminster and Westminster Black, which feature privacy glass and special 21-inch alloy wheels on the standard package or the option of a 22-inch wheel on the Black pack.

What is coming to India?
Currently, the Range Rover and the Range Rover Sport lineup does not feature a diesel engine option but the introduction of the new, cleaner 3.0-litre diesel will mark a return of the oil-burner units to the India line-up. Both the Range Rover and the Range Rover Sport will get the new 3.0-litre mild-hybrid diesel engine in the D300 spec making 300hp and 650Nm of torque. Petrol options for the Range Rover will be the singular P400 mild-hybrid 3.0-litre engine that makes 400hp and 550Nm of torque. On the Range Rover Sport, the petrol engines will be the 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit in the P300 form, making 300hp and 400Nm of torque. The range-topping 5.0-litre supercharged V8 making 575hp and 700Nm of torque will be available only on the SVR.

The Range Rover in its standard wheelbase option will be available in the Vogue, Vogue SE and Autobiography variants, while the long-wheelbase model will also get the additional top-spec SV Autobiography option. Indian buyers will also have the option to choose between the Range Rover Fifty, the Westminster and the Westminster Black special editions, but only on the extended or long wheelbase versions of the SUV. The Range Rover Sport, on the other hand, will be available in the S, SE, HSE Dynamic, Autobiography Dynamic and SVR variants. Dealers across the country are expected to open bookings for the MY2021 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport soon. Bookings for those interested in the special edition cars, which will come with a range of customisation options, will also commence then.