New Range Rover Sport HST Has A Straight-Six Mild Hybrid With 395hp

This is the new Range Rover Sport HST, the first production vehicle from Jaguar Land Rover to launch with a mild-hybrid powertrain.

Powering the Range Rover Sport HST is the all-new 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder gaasoline engine that boasts 395 hp and 405 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque. The engine replaces the company’s V6 petrol and is special due to its implementation of an electric supercharger and a twin-scroll turbocharger.

Jaguar Land Rover says the electric supercharger is driven directly by an electric motor that can spool it up to 120,000 rpm in half a second. The presence of this electric supercharger is said to virtually eliminate all lag from the turbocharger. The new engine also reduces CO2 emissions over the petrol V6 by 12 per cent while cutting down on particulate emissions by 75 per cent.

In addition to the electric supercharger and efficient turbocharger, the Sport HST’s powertrain includes Continuous Variable Valve Lift (CVVL), a system that varies inlet valve timing and lift profile to improve efficiency. There is also a 48-volt system that can harvest energy on the move, provide torque assistance to the engine, and trigger the Start-Stop system.

The SUV has claimed fuel economy figures of 30.5 mpg (9.3 liters/100 km) combined and CO2 emissions of 213g/km.

“In-line six-cylinder engines are inherently better balanced than V6 designs and our all-new Ingenium unit builds on that promise to optimize efficiency in all operating conditions. Advanced features, including an electric supercharger, ensure distinctive Range Rover Sport performance and responses, while the intelligent MHEV system harvests energy to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions,” Jaguar Land Rover executive director of product engineering Nick Rogers said.

As for the Range Rover Sport HSE itself, it will be sold as a special edition and can be distinguished from other models with unique badging and carbon fiber trim across the exterior. Inside, Land Rover has equipped the vehicle with 16-way Dynamic front seats with red and black leather and satin chrome shift paddles. The vehicle also includes Advanced Cruise Control, High Speed Emergency Braking, and Land Rover’s Terrain Response 2.

The Range Rover Sport HST will set UK customers back £81,250 ($104,733). It remains to be seen if the car will be sold elsewhere.