Land Rover is taking its iconic Range Rover brand electric, with prototypes undergoing rigorous testing in extreme environments. This first glimpse reveals a focus on maintaining the Range Rover’s legendary performance while transitioning to electric propulsion
The all-electric Range Rover is currently being put through its paces in temperatures ranging from -40°C in the Arctic Circle to a scorching +50°C in Middle Eastern deserts. This initial phase focuses on the battery and Electric Drive Unit (EDU) – the vehicle’s heart, including the motor, transmission, and power electronics. Notably, both the battery and EDU are assembled in-house by JLR for the first time.
Testing on frozen Swedish lakes highlights a key focus: ensuring the electric Range Rover retains its off-road prowess. Land Rover claims its new electric propulsion system will even surpass the existing Range Rover’s performance on low-grip surfaces. This will allow the electric model to maintain the brand’s reputation for conquering any terrain, in any weather.
A major innovation for Range Rover is the new traction control system designed specifically for electric power. Unlike traditional systems reliant on the ABS unit, the electric Range Rover distributes wheel slip management to each individual electric drive control unit. This reduces torque reaction time at each wheel from 100 milliseconds to a mere 1 millisecond.
According to Thomas Mueller, Executive Director of Product Engineering at JLR, the electric Range Rover “means customary Range Rover luxury, refinement and capability plus near-silent fully electric propulsion; with effortlessly smooth and relaxed journeys.”
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