Coming soon! The new Range Rover Evoque P300e PHEV compact luxury crossover

Jaguar/Land Rover's Range Rover Evoque (Yeah I know it's confusing. Jaguar/Land Rover is the parent company and Range Rover is the name given to upscale Landies) is arguably one of, if not the best-looking compact SUVs on the market today. The Evoque was totally redesigned and now a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) joins the gas, diesel and mild hybrid models. (Click on the infographic, right, for a closer look) The numbers are pretty impressive. The Evoque P300e will travel 41 miles in EV mode, much more than 100 mpg in the Euro cycle (EPA numbers not yet available), rapid charging (80% in 30 minutes depending on the charger), and just over 6 seconds to get from 0 to 60 mph. A 1.5-liter three cylinder engine is mated to the hybrid unit for almost 300 hp and an eight-speed automatic. The hybrid motor is mounted to the rear axle for a sort of all-wheel drive depending on hybrid mode (EV-only, hybrid, gas-only) selected. Three trim levels are on hand S, SE, HSE, which determines the lux level of your ride and hit to your wallet. Remember PHEV vehicles are usually $5k more than their gas-powered counterparts. Pricing will be announced closer to the US roll-out. J/LR would be silly not to bring this model and it's Discovery sibling, to the US. But stranger things have happened. VW is not bringing their iD.3 EV to the US (hopefully for now) due to expected demand in Germany and the rest of Europe and some in VW feel the iD.3 is too small (Golf-sized). Yet many people are looking for an inexpensive (relatively) compact EV. That's why I believe the Range Rover Evoque P300e could do well here (As long as the J/LR folks don't overprice it). It's also good-looking, luxurious, and can be outfitted however you like. Did I mention that it's good-looking? For more info and pics, hit the "read more" link below.

Source: Pics and Press release courtesy of Jaguar/Land Rover. More after the "read more" jump.

All-new Land Rover Defender updates an age-old classic

The Defender model has been important to Land Rover for ages. The go-everywhere, beat-it-'til-it-dies, every vehicle was right-sized and found in garages, barns, and stables all over the UK (and around the world). Since the Defender was getting long in the tooth. Land Rover knew it was time for an update...and it didn't hurt that new government regulations were a hurdle the Defender couldn't get over. It took a long time for Land Rover to re-engineer the Defender and bring it into the 21st century. From the looks of it, they have succeeded very well...very well indeed.

The new model looks like a Defender, but better. It sort of reminds me of the Toyota FJ Cruiser, which was an update of Toyota's original Land Cruiser which was a sort of Japanese copy of the Defender and Mercedes G-Wagon. One big difference is that the 2020 Defender will come with either three doors (90) or five-doors (110) and all the technology, features and options your heart and wallet can handle. There are four main options groups geared to how you will use your Defender and 6 main models from Standard to the top-of -the-line Defender X. Prices start ar around $40k and go up to more than $80k plus taxes, license, fees, options, and accessories. Two engines will be available mated to an eight-speed automatic. Base engine is a 2.0-liter turbo I4 with almost 300 hp and a mild-hybrid 3.0-liter I6 (almost 400 hp)  with turbo- and super-charging. Even software updates are sent out to customers over Wi-Fi. And it goes on and on...

Now if you want a Defender, you don't have to buy a used (and sometimes trashed) model and take it to an automotive re-builder. Now you only need to stop by your nearest Land Rover dealer and spec out exactly what you want. For most of the info check out the press release. Personally, I like the 90. You? Now if it only had an EV option...

Source: Pics and extensive press release courtesy of Land Rover after the "read more" jump.