Using a regular 240V, 13-amp domestic supply, a full charge takes a little over four hours. Land Rover claims this gives the Range_e the capability of travelling over 20 miles on electric power alone.
What’s it like?
In practice, though, such figures are of limited relevance, because although the Range_e is capable enough on electric power at low to medium speeds – and in theory it can hit 70mph without troubling its diesel motor (which it does for the official test figures) – you end up using a mix of power sources.
As an example, when I collect the fully charged Range_e it hums into life almost inaudibly and pulls away electrically and with a smoothness entirely befitting a Range Rover. Through town if remains electrically powered, without any real concession to usable performance. If you want to play traffic light grand prix, the electric motor will call for back-up, but drive normally and the car stays electric for longer than any conventional hybrid I’ve tried. Only when accelerating on to a faster road through an uphill slip road did the diesel motor fire.
Range_e project leader Garry Putt explains that it takes well under a second to start the engine, synchronise speeds and smoothly deliver torque to the wheels, which feels about right. Is the integration noticeable? On this prototype there is a rattle from the starter motor, which Putt says is a known problem and easy enough to overcome for production. But the actual mating of the two power sources happens impressively smoothly.
To an extent, the relative performance of the two motors has been meshed together, too. Dan Beeston, hybrid systems engineer, describes how the system works. “When you call for more performance,” he says, “we ramp up the electric supply to provide instant acceleration while the diesel engine starts. Then the two are coupled together for maximum power.”
In practice, you still notice the extra propulsion when the diesel kicks in – but, crucially, you don’t feel like you’re not moving before it does. Moreover, with sufficient battery charge, the Range_e can maintain a decent cruising speed on electric power alone – even uphill. To prove the Range-e is still a Land Rover we embark on a little light off-roading. Anything more extreme is off limits today because this prototype has yet to be tested for underbody impact protection – and that’s an issue with an expensive battery strapped to the floor.
In addition, the Sport’s Terrain Response functions are yet to be fully configured with the electric drive. However, they will be on the production hybrid and any potential plug-in hybrid. If anything, because the electric motor provides a more accurately controlled supply of torque than a conventional motor, the hybrid drive can actually benefit off-road use.
Should I buy one?
As I said – at the moment you can’t. But come 2013 you will be able to buy a conventional hybrid Range Rover – with the possibility of a plug-in version to follow.
While this prototype isn’t the finished product - the braking is not finalised and some low-speed downchanges need fine-tuning. - what is encouraging from this test is that the addition of electric drive appears to remove nothing from the Land Rover experience. On the contrary, it has the potential to significantly enhance it. Clearly, there’s the tax benefit of that 89g/km CO2 rating, but also the chance of enhanced refinement, improved off-road ability and greater range – all characteristics core to the Range Rover DNA.
Jamie Corstorphine
Land Rover Rang_e
Price: na; 0-60mph: 8.0sec (est); Top speed: 124mph; Economy: na; CO2 emissions: 89g/km; Kerb weight: 2745kg (est); Engine layout: V6, 2993cc, turbodiesel, plus electric motor; Installation: Front, longitudinal, 4-wheel drive; Power: 322bhp; Torque: 561lb ft at 1350-3000rpm; Gearbox: 8-spd automatic
Join the debate
LP in Brighton
Re: Land Rover Range_e
Interesting technical exercise, but the bottom line is that shifting around 2745kg of metal requires an awful lot of energy, no matter how clever the technology. I would be very interested to know what the actual fuel consumption (and therefore CO2 emissions) was while the vehicle was in Autocar's tenure. Did you actually take the trouble to charge it up from a domestic electricity supply? And what percentage of your motoring was electrically driven?
shortbread
Re: Land Rover Range_e
I think its a good thing they are honing the hybrid powertrain on the existing platform. The savings will be far greater once the next generation lighter aluminium platform.
The Apprentice
Re: Land Rover Range_e
C02 is so low because they don't count that emitted from the AA truck, upon the back of which Land Rover products spend much of their journey.
~ calm down, I 'm only kidding... sort of ~
Citytiger
Re: Land Rover Range_e
When you take into consideration the weight and performance figures, it is amazing what a company with limited resources can achieve. Well done JLR and Mr Chancellor and Mr Mayor of London, perhaps its back to the drawing board for the C charge and VED rates, before Chelsea really is full of Chelsea tractors that are not paying them.
I will not be long before a mainsteam manufacturer mass produce this technology thus making it cheaper and more readily available to the normal family, and the Government will have to look at new and exciting ways to continue to fleece the motorist.The Special One
Re: Land Rover Range_e
[quote Citytiger]When you take into consideration the weight and performance figures, it is amazing what a company with limited resources can achieve. [/quote] When I take into account the weight, I see this as a fundamental failing. Needs to be < 2100kg.
Maxycat
Re: Land Rover Range_e
[quote Citytiger]I will not be long before a mainsteam manufacturer mass produce this technology thus making it cheaper and more readily available to the normal family, and the Government will have to look at new and exciting ways to continue to fleece the motorist.[/quote] If technology like this is practical and becomes affordable to the mass of cars it will not reduce motoring costs for the masses as the government will just bring in mileage charges or some other tax to recoup the billions it would otherwise lose through VED and fuel duty.
Big S
Re: Land Rover Range_e
official co2 figures need to start adding in the co2 per Kwh of electricity rather than including it as 'free'. And we need to get used to seeing economy figures as 'miles per kwh' for electric vehicles too. Then we'd see how efficient EVs or hybrids really are - and the London C-charge can remain meaningful. That said, I applaud LR for applying EV technology in a way that stays true to their core values.
fiesta
Re: Land Rover Range_e
So a Golf Bluemotion weighing 1262kg and with a 1.6 litre diesel engine emits 99 g/km CO2, 10 more than this Range Rover officially emits. A child can understand that such hybrid emissions figures are nonsense, so what is going on? You can't blame manufacturers for playing the game that legislation sets, so either there is collusion between legislators and manufacturers to accept a path of low resistance (weight loss is expensive) or someone somewhere is deeply misguided. Can Autocar at least add a bit of insight to the coverage? You'll be telling me next that a Porsche hypercar can run at over 100mpg. Oh wait...
jer
Re: Land Rover Range_e
[quote shortbread]I think its a good thing they are honing the hybrid powertrain on the existing platform. The savings will be far greater once the next generation lighter aluminium platform.[/quote]
Precise and concisely put.
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