Plug-in hybrid Land Rover Defender P400e unveiled

Just months after the Defender was launched in Australia, a new plug-in hybrid Land Rover Defender P400e has been introduced to the line-up.

Called the P400e, the new plug-in hybrid Defender lifts its electrified powertrain from the Range Rover Sport PHEV, combining a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery.

Together, the P400e is not left wanting for performance with the plug-in hybrid engine producing 300kW and 650Nm.

That's enough to launch it to 100km/h in just 5.6 seconds and tow up to 3000kg.

Thanks to its 19.2kWh battery, the Defender P400e can cover up to 44km on pure-electric power alone, allowing the efficient Landie to average just 3.3L/100km, while emitting just 74g/km of CO2.

Topping up the battery using a 50kW fast charger, meanwhile, takes just 30 minutes for an 80 per cent charge, or two hours using a 7.4kW wallbox home charger.

Usefully, when in electric mode, the Defender still sends all its power and torque to all four wheels, allowing for zero-emissions off-roading.

Available only as the longer 110 wheelbase, buyers will be offered the P400e with five- or six-seat layouts, while all plug-in Defenders come standard with air suspension and 20-inch alloy wheels.

As well as the plug-in hybrid, Land Rover has also phased out the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel and replaced it with a new 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel.

Replacing the old D200 and D240, the new six-pot diesel powers the D200 (147kW), D250 (184kW) and D300 (221kW).

Thanks to 48-volt mild hybrid tech, the new smoother six-cylinder diesel is claimed to offer better fuel efficiency and the ability to hit 100km/h in 10.2sec (D200), 8.3sec (D250) and 6.7 seconds for the fastest D300.

The most efficient D200 and D250 can both average 8.7L/100km, while emitting 230g/km of CO2.

All come with the car-maker's eight-speed automatic and its Intelligent all-wheel drive that can shuffle 100 per cent of its torque to either axle.

The new diesels are also offered in both the 110 and 90 short-wheelbase.

In some markets, Land Rover has also introduced a new X-Dynamic trim that features a satin black finish for the front and rear bash plates, grille bars, recovery loops and alloy wheels.

Inside, there's illuminated tread plates and seats finished in Land Rover's new hard-wearing Robustek fabric.

Finally, as well as new paint options, there's a Blind Spot Assist pack, a Family pack that adds a third-row seating with three-zone climate control and a Family Pack Plus version that includes heated elements for the third-row pews.

There's no word when the six-cylinder diesels and plug-in hybrid petrol will land Down Under, nor how expensive they will be.