Land Rover will soon begin taking orders for hybrid versions of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

The two all-aluminium models are based on Land Rover’s 'premium lightweight architecture' and share an identical powertrain. Order books will open on September 10 for delivery in 2014.

The new Range Rover Hybrid powertrain features three driver-selectable modes and combines Land Rover’s 3.0-litre SDV6 diesel engine with a 35kW electric motor integrated with the 8-speed ZF automatic transmission.  The hybrid system, including lithium ion battery pack, inverter and electric motor weighs less than 120kg.

The electric motor produces 125lb-ft of torque to boost acceleration and drives the vehicle in EV Mode. The motor also acts as a generator, harvesting kinetic energy through regenerative braking, charging the battery when the vehicle is slowing.  In driver-selectable EV mode the Range Rover Hybrid can travel at speeds of up to 30mph for a range of up to one mile.

Both models accelerate to 62mph in under seven seconds, and have a top speed of 135mph, combined with a 26% reduction in CO2 emissions to 169g/km, equivalent to 44.1mpg on the combined cycle.

The Range Rover Hybrid has the same five-seat capacity and luggage space as the standard vehicle and retains the full-size spare wheel. The Range Rover Sport Hybrid whose interior is unchanged from the standard model, right down to the 5+2 seating.