RAY MASSEY: The 2024 Range Rover Evoque plug-in hybrid is a homegrown winner

As I floated serenely through the landscape at the wheel of the refined new 2024 model Range Rover Evoque, I was reminded of the brilliant vehicles our British car manufacturer JLR produces.

Cocooned in my own luxurious living room on wheels, I reflected on how I have followed this groundbreaking Range Rover throughout its life.

Now I was updating the story with this year’s upgrade, although I was aware of some more pressing issues – mainly the theft of its vehicles, insurance concerns and parts supply, all of which JLR is struggling with.

Riding on 20-inch wheels, I drove the P300e plug-in hybrid version in Autobiography trim, which combines an economical 3-cylinder 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor to develop 308 hp, taking it from a standstill to 100 km/h can accelerate. 6.1 seconds to a maximum speed of 210 km/h.

A huge panoramic tinted glass sunroof gives a feeling of airy space, while the high-end Meridian hi-fi costs a £630 upgrade.

It’s an engaging drive, although removing buttons for an uncluttered, minimalist dashboard might be going too far.

The main drive settings are comfort, grass and gravel, mud/ruts, sand and auto. There’s also slope descent control, wade detection and intelligent all-wheel drive.

Once fully charged, a promised electric range of up to 60 kilometers is ideal for short and virtually silent zero-emission commutes, shopping trips and social or sporting events. And there’s still the safety and comfort of the petrol-electric hybrid setup with a 56.5 liter fuel tank.

Provided you keep it charged and drive sensibly, consumption can reach 190mpg, with total CO2 emissions of just 33g/km, although I suspect few would achieve that.

The main drive settings are comfort, grass and gravel, mud/ruts, sand and auto

Provided you keep it charged and drive sensibly, consumption is up to 190mpg

A promised electric range of up to 60 km is ideal for short and virtually silent zero-emission commutes, shopping trips and social or sporting events

With the vehicle seen as a target for criminal gangs, JLR has improved security on all new models

The range starts at £40,080, but the £63,565 version I drove included £3,125 worth of extras, including a £520 tracker theft alert subscription as an option.

With the vehicle seen as a target for criminal gangs, JLR has upgraded security on all new models and updated previous models, as well as launching its own insurance option for buyers.

Will this fit in my garage? Range Rover Evoque Autobiography model year 2024 P300e plug-in hybrid (PHEV)

Price as driven with extras: £63,565 Extras: £3,125 in fitted options The Evoque range starts from: £40,080

Length: 4,371mm Width (mirrors folded): 1,996mm Width (mirrors out): 2,100mm Height: 1,649mm Wheelbase: 2,681mm Gross weight: 2,660 kg Unloaded weight: 2,157 kg Turning circle (curb to curb): 11.6 m

Engine: Turbocharged 3-cylinder 1.5 liter petrol with rechargeable battery and electric motor Current: 308 hp (think three Ford Fiestas) Transfer: 8-speed automatic gearbox

0-100 km/h: 6.1 seconds Tat speed: 212 km/h

Wheels: 20-in

Fuel capacity: 56.5 litres

MPG up to 190mpg

Co2 emissions: 33g/km

Drive settings: Comfort, ‘grass and gravel, mud/ruts, sand and a car.

Functions: Descent control, wading detection and intelligent all-wheel drive.

Maximum wading depth: 530mm Ground clearance/ride height: 211mm

Extras include

Secure Tracker Pro’ theft alert subscription: £520 Tribeca blue paint: £705 Corinthian bronze contrast roof: £650 Privacy glass: £450 Meridian Surround Sound System: £630

Funky two-wheeled BMW

At the BMW car launch this week I was pleasantly distracted by this fun and funky electric two-wheeled projector – ideal for beating traffic jams or anti-car regimes on trips into the city.

The BMW CE 02 is a battery-powered e-scooter/e-motorcycle. The 4kW (5hp) version, which costs from £7,450, feels incredibly robust but is light, has a top speed of 28mph and a range of 28 miles, and can be ridden in the UK by anyone with a standard car driver’s license.

Fun and funky: the electric projector on two wheels is ideal for beating traffic jams or anti-car regimes during trips to the city

The more powerful 11 ​​kW (15 hp) version, from £8,450, has a top speed of 95 km/h and a range of 90 km, but requires a motorcycle licence.

There are three driving modes: ‘Flow’ for city driving; ‘Surf’ for more acceleration and effortless cruising and ‘Flash’ for a sportier experience.

Suitable for driving as a couple, including a reversing assistant and LED headlights.