Range Rover and Range Rover Sport feature new mild-hybrid diesel engine

• 3.0-litre MHEV diesels replace old V6 and V8
• Six new special editions
• Available to order now

Land Rover has introduced new mild-hybrid diesel engines and exclusive trim levels to the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport line-ups. The new engines replace the ageing 3.0-litre V6 (badged SDV6) and 4.4-litre V8 diesels, and should offer better economy and performance. The updated models can be ordered now, and prices start from £65,295 for the Range Rover Sport and £83,465 for the Range Rover.

The new engine features 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, which saves the energy normally lost during braking and uses it to assist the engine when accelerating. It’s said to be a lot smoother and more efficient than the older engines. The 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine is available in outputs of 296 and 345bhp (badged D300 and D350), and we’re told the Range Rover Sport cracks 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds with the more powerful engine.

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They’re now the only diesel engines available and you can expect figures of 33mpg and 225g/km from the D300 (30.8mpg and 241g/km for the D350). Both Range Rover models also offer a 394bhp 3.0-litre ‘P400’ petrol, a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 (called P525) with 518bhp and a P400e plug-in hybrid option that promises 25 miles of electric range and 88mpg. The Range Rover Sport also gets a 296bhp petrol engine and a 567bhp version of the 5.0-litre V8, used in SVR models.

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The Range Rover SUV gets three new special editions, plus the recently launched Fifty edition. A ‘Westminster Edition’ gets 21-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, a panoramic sunroof and soft-close doors, and is available with diesel or plug-in power. The Westminster Black Edition adds a black styling pack and unlocks the option of 22-inch black wheels. Both are based on the Vogue trim and are exclusive to the UK market. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Black focuses on sporty looks, and gets black paint, accents and wheels.

Range Rover Sport buyers get three similar new models to choose from. HSE Silver cars get recoloured exterior trim, tinted rear windows, a cooled centre console, the sunroof and two-tone 21-inch wheels. HSE Dynamic Black adds a similar colour scheme to the Range Rover’s new black-based trim level, while the SVR Carbon Edition adds plenty of carbon-fibre detailing to the 567bhp flagship.

Read our guides to the best large SUVs and the best luxury cars.