Land Rover reveals its 4WD Plug-In Diesel Hybrid
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3rd March, 2011
- Range_e: Land Rover advanced plug-in hybrid diesel technology debuts at 2011 Geneva Motor Show
- Low emissions and exceptional fuel efficiency: Range_e capable of delivering 89 g/km CO2 emissions and a
fuel economy of 2.7 l/100 kms (85 mpg)
- Electric range: over 32 km range in all-electric EV mode
- Hybrid programme: Land Rover announces intention to launch first diesel-electric hybrid in 2013
- Land Rover 4WD capability: First fully capable 4WD plug-in hybrid diesel
Land Rover's on-going commitment to building vehicles that are more fuel and emissions-efficient reaches
another milestone at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show (3rd-13th March) with the first presentation of Range_e. This
development model is equipped with an advanced plug-in hybrid diesel-electric powertrain that Land Rover
expects to make available in future production models, following the scheduled launch of its diesel-electric
hybrid in 2013.
Range_e is based on the Range Rover Sport and uses the current 180 kW 3.0 litre TDV6 diesel engine, working
with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and a 69 kW electric motor. Using a parallel hybrid system, with
a 14.2kW/h lithium-ion battery that can be recharged from an external 240V power source, Range_e can be driven
on electric power alone for more than 32 kilometres, with zero harmful tailpipe emissions.
A full recharge from a standard domestic power supply can be accomplished in around four hours. Typically
the majority of European car drivers cover less than 40 kilometres a day and therefore the EV range offered by
this technology will support the majority of short urban journeys, where fuel economy and emissions are of
prime concern. However, for longer journeys the diesel hybrid drivetrain will engage and continually optimise
CO2 emissions.
Overall CO2 emissions are just 89 g/km, yet Range_e has a maximum system output of 250 kW and a top speed
of around 193 km per hour, delivering a fuel economy of 2.7 l/100km (85 mpg). Improved fuel efficiency from
the hybrid system makes 1,100 kilometres possible on a full tank of fuel.
Range_e is also engineered with the same full 4WD capability as the standard Range Rover Sport, with high
and low range in the transmission, front and rear differentials and a mechanical locking centre differential.
Dependant on the driver demand, the car's intelligent system decides the most efficient method to deliver the
power required, whether this is by electric, diesel or both. The Range_e also features regenerative braking
to capture energy usually wasted in heat energy via the brakes. This energy can then be redeployed to drive
the vehicle, further reducing fossil fuel consumption.
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John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director, said: "This system is the first example of a premium
plug-in hybrid that also provides the full four-wheel-drive capability that you would expect from a Land
Rover. It is an evolution of the production intent diesel-electric hybrid technology which will be launched
in our next generation of SUVs and will be available for customers within the next two years."
Land Rover in Partnership with CABLED
The Range_e is one of a number of Land Rover projects supported by the UK Government's Technology Strategy
Board and five prototype models are currently engaged in a test programme with Land Rover's fellow members of
the CABLED - Coventry and Birmingham Low Emissions Demonstrators - consortium. Land Rover anticipates its
plug-in hybrid system will be brought to market in the near future, following on from the debut of its first
standard diesel-electric hybrid models from 2013.
Pete Richings, Chief Engineer Hybrids, said: "We started the Range_e fleet trial in December 2010 and
we have so far covered 19,000 kilometres on the trial between the five test vehicles. We are gathering
invaluable real world data that will enable us to refine the technology ahead of introducing a production
vehicle."
Land Rover continues to recognise the need to work on all aspects of our CO2 footprint such as reducing
weight, reducing mechanical losses and increasing powertrain efficiency and our hybrid technology represents
one part of the research and development journey.
Jaguar Land Rover is committed to spending £800 million on environmental technologies and has targeted a
25 per cent reduction in its fleet average CO2 emissions between 2008 and 2012.
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