What's this then?

This is Jaguar Land Rover starting to make good on its promise to offer an electric or hybrid version of all of its model ranges by the year 2020. While we wait on the arrival of the company's first all-battery car (the I-Pace, coming late in 2018) a plugin hybrid Range Rover will launch before the end of 2017.

Will it be a bit weedy and need charging up every five minutes like a G-Wiz?

No, definitely not. The plugin Range Rover (there will be a plugin Range Rover Sport too) will use the 300hp turbo petrol four-cylinder 2.0-litre Ingenium engine and a 200hp electric motor and lithium-ion battery. That should be good for a combined 450hp or thereabouts, and there'll be an electric-only range of around 30 miles with a fully-charged battery. Emissions should be very low too.

Will this same system be used in other models?

I'm glad you've asked that, because yes, it will. You can expect to see the same plugin hybrid module popping up in the Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover Velar, as well as in the Jaguar XF, F-Pace and next-generation XJ.

Speaking at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Jaguar Land Rover CEO Ralf Speth said: "Tthe technology we are developing on the track allows us to deliver thrilling electric vehicles to our customers. The pace of change is exhilarating and we want to go above and beyond for our customers. From 2020 every new Jaguar Land Rover vehicle will be electrified. Customers will be able to choose from battery electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid power as well as ultra-clean petrol and diesel engines. Future mobility will not be boring. Our products will have passion and emotion as well as being distinctive, desirable and capable as they have always been and will stand out from the crowd."

Neil Briscoe - 13 Sep 2017