Demonstrating its unwavering commitment to peerless product DNA, Range Rover is redefining the electric luxury SUV segment by striving to create an unparalleled driving experience true to its esteemed name. In a significant step towards this goal, Range Rover Electric prototypes have successfully completed their second rigorous season of testing and development in the sub-zero environments of the Arctic Circle.
Arctic Testing and Thermal Management: Enduring an impressive 45,000 miles of accumulated testing across frozen lakes and varied land tracks, the latest winter season in northern Europe provided engineers with the ideal conditions to thoroughly evaluate Range Rover Electric’s sophisticated thermal management system. The icy lake tracks also offered invaluable testing grounds for assessing vehicle dynamics, including the innovative single-pedal driving capability and the adaptable twin-chamber air suspension system. A key focus of this latest development phase in Arjeplog, Sweden, was the validation of Range Rover Electric’s novel ThermAssistTM technology. This advanced on-board thermal management system is engineered to reduce heating energy consumption by up to 40 per cent and is designed to recover heat to effectively warm the propulsion system or the cabin even in ambient temperatures as low as -10°C. This intelligent heat management technology ensures that Range Rover Electric maintains an optimized driving range, even in extremely cold conditions. Furthermore, it minimizes the impact of these severe temperatures on charging performance, assuring clients that charging capability remains consistent. Occupants also benefit from a consistently warm and comfortable cabin environment, regardless of the outside chill.
Powertrain and Performance Details: The high-voltage 800V battery, a first for JLR as an in-house designed and built unit, is optimized for energy density, range, and rapid charging times. Engineered to deliver the effortless performance and customary refinement expected of a Range Rover, this definitive electric luxury SUV utilizes a cell-to-pack architecture to maximize performance. The Range Rover Electric’s 117kWh battery is fully encased and intelligently packaged, comprising 344 prismatic cells arranged in a double-stacked configuration. All-terrain capability and refinement remain core tenets of the Range Rover experience and will seamlessly transition to electric propulsion through the implementation of advanced technologies such as single-pedal driving and switchable, twin-chamber air suspension.
Single-Pedal Driving and Terrain Response: Effortless, with a palpable sense of power in reserve, Range Rover Electric elevates single-pedal driving to an advanced new level. Beyond simply decelerating the vehicle and recuperating energy into the battery via regenerative braking, it is also intricately tuned to integrate seamlessly with Terrain Response. The single-pedal driving system is designed to bring the vehicle to a complete stop and automatically engage Hill Hold, enabling the driver to smoothly move off again without ever needing to touch the brake pedal. A distinguishing feature of Range Rover Electric’s single-pedal capabilities is its functionality across extreme terrain, as Range Rover engineers rigorously tested its performance on both 28-degree and 17-degree split mu inclines at the Arctic test facility.
Air Suspension and Handling: Ensuring that Range Rover Electric retains the authentic Range Rover composure across all conditions, the switchable twin-chamber air suspension has undergone extensive development to effectively manage body movements resulting from the electric model’s unique weight distribution. Taking to the ice tracks of the Arctic Circle has vividly demonstrated the all-wheel drive technology’s ability to handle diverse surfaces. Thanks to its precise torque delivery, which surpasses that of traditional ICE applications, the Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD) technology can seamlessly distribute rear torque from 100% to 0% to proactively prevent any loss of traction. Working in conjunction with Integrated Traction Management, traction stability is consistently maintained – controlling motor speed within an impressive 50 milliseconds and managing slip up to 100 times faster than a comparable ICE vehicle.
Summary:
- Range Rover Electric prototypes completed a second successful winter testing season in the Arctic.
- Advanced ThermAssistTM technology optimizes range and charging in cold temperatures.
- Single-pedal driving capability tested and proven on challenging icy surfaces.
- Features a high-voltage 800V, 117kWh battery designed in-house by JLR.
- Equipped with switchable, twin-chamber air suspension for enhanced handling.
- Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD) ensures precise torque distribution for optimal traction.
Disclaimer: The information provided reflects prototype testing and development. Final specifications and features for the production model may vary.
Source: Land Rover
AI Assistance: Gemini
