Here’s how the Range Rover Electric Prototype does it
Whether it’s traversing the Darien Gap in Central America, or facing the Sahara in North Africa. The Land Rover Range Rover is a 4×4 which has earned its reputation in the last five decades for thriving in the most hostile environments. The prototype for the all-electric version continues that spirit. The Range Rover Electric, which will be revealed in 2023 based on the L460 Platform, is currently in its final testing stages. The prototypes tested in cold weather for 45,000 miles over the last two winters. The estimated range of any electric vehicle can vary greatly depending on the ambient temperatures, especially in cold climates. Land Rover’s clever ThermAssist thermal management system reuses waste heat in order to keep the battery pack and cabin warm. This system reduces the amount of heating energy by 40%. This means a constant range and faster charging, even at -14degF temperatures in the Arctic Circle. The range is expected to be 300 miles. The battery is located low in the chassis, which results in a lower centre of gravity. This improves high-speed stability, and reduces body roll. The pitch of the vehicle during acceleration or braking is now better controlled thanks to a switchable dual-chamber air spring suspension system that was specifically designed for the Range Rover EV. Single-pedal driving is integrated with Terrain Response to create a superior 4×4 system. Intelligent Driveline Dynamics instantly switches rear torque from 100 to 0 to prevent traction loss. Combined with the Integrated Traction Management System, grip is maintained by controlling motor speed in 50 milliseconds. Land Rover claims that this is 100 times faster than the ICE equivalents. While the competition is increasing from full-size luxury all-electric SUVs like Mercedes, BMW Cadillac and Lucid, the Range Rover’s off-road ability is still what sets it apart. This all-electric Range Rover is expected to arrive in late 2025. It will be a new chapter for the Range Rover, staying true to its heritage while adopting technology of the future.
Watch JLR’s vehicle engineering director, Matthew Becker, share some truly interesting insights as he puts the Range Rover Electric through its paces in the video below.
Image Source: Land Rover
