Vauxhall adds front-drive Grandland X Hybrid as cheaper option

Vauxhall is quickly following up the introduction of its Grandland X Hybrid4 with a more attainable, lower-powered front-wheel drive version.

Priced from £32,390 (£3,200 cheaper than before) the electrified SUV makes use of  the same 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine, albeit detuned by 20bhp to 177bhp, as the standard 4Hybrid. But instead of two electric motors, it ditches the rear-mounted one and makes use of a single gearbox-mounted item instead, mated to a 13.2kWh battery.

That takes the Hybrid4's output down from 296bhp to 222bhp, enough for a 0-60mph time of 8.6sec - 2.5sec down on the four-wheel drive model - and a 140mph top speed.

On paper efficiency is also reduced for the 2WD model, which promises 192mpg (instead of 204mpg). The 13.2kWh battery enables a slightly shorter all-electric range of 34 miles, too. 

The 2WD Grandland X Hybrid also, fairly obviously, drops down to three driving modes with the removal of the AWD mode, with the same regenerative braking system as it's all-wheel drive sibling. It also gets a standard 3.7kW on-board charger or an optional 7.4kWh charger to reduce charging times. First examples arrive in showrooms in April 2020. 

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