The Land Rover Defender has gained plug-in hybrid power in Australia, with up to 43 kilometres of electric driving range – but a $10,000 to $12,000 premium over the standard model.
The 2024 Land Rover Defender four-wheel-drive has gained yet another engine option in Australia, with the addition of the P400e plug-in hybrid.
Available only in five-door 110 format, Land Rover’s plug-in hybrid option can be optioned in Defender X-Dynamic SE and X-Dynamic HSE trim levels.
Pricing starts at $127,600 plus on-road costs for the X-Dynamic SE P400e – which replaces the standard SE model grade for 2024, including the standard petrol and diesel versions – which brings a $11,950 premium over a comparable mild-hybrid petrol model ($115,650).
Stepping up to the X-Dynamic HSE costs $139,300 plus on-road costs, or $11,700 more than the lower specification grade, and $9400 more than a comparable mild-hybrid petrol model.
The Land Rover Defender plug-in hybrid is about behind schedule, as orders were first earmarked to open between July and September 2022.
The plug-in hybrid system sees a 221kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine team up with a 105kW electric motor, which provides combined maximum outputs of 297kW and 640Nm.
These outputs make the Defender P400e the second most powerful model in the range – and the torquiest behind the 368kW to 386kW/625Nm supercharged V8 versions.
Land Rover claims a 5.6-second 0-100km/h acceleration time.
A 19.2kWh prismatic-cell lithium-ion battery allows for up to 43 kilometres of claimed electric-only driving range, and Land Rover claims fuel economy of 3.4 litres per 100km (according to the lenient NEDC lab-test cycle).
Electric driving is also available in low-range mode, with the plug-in hybrid Defender maintaining the off-road capabilities of standard models.
However, the braked towing capacity of the Defender P400e is 3000kg lower than the 3500kg available on most other models.
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