Land Rover Range Rover Hybrid Long Wheelbase displayed at the Beijing Motor Show 2014. Together with the Range Rover Sport Hybrid, it will be the first diesel hybrid model from any manufacturer to be offered in China. China is recognised by Land Rover as a potentially strong market for its new premium hybrids, whilst the long wheelbase design is identified as best suiting Chinese customers’ preferences for luxury and spaciousness.
The production vehicles benefit from valuable insights Land Rover gained from its Silk Trail expedition in 2013. A fleet of Range Rover Hybrids proved their durability and all-terrain capability on a gruelling 16,000km route from the Land Rover factory in Solihull, across central Asia to the Mumbai headquarters of Tata, Land Rover’s parent company. After the journey, the vehicles were stripped down and scrutinised by Land Rover engineers to improve understanding of how the designs and technologies can be fine-tuned.
The Range Rover Hybrid combines with 3.0-litre SDV6 diesel engine with a 35kW electric motor, integrated with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. The system allows the driver to select from three different drive modes to maximise performance or efficiency, and is capable of delivering 26 per cent lower CO2 emissions (169g/km) and 6.4 l/100 km (44.1mpg).
The hybrid system uses the same proven Terrain Response® system and all-wheel drive technology deployed in the petrol and diesel-powered models. Wading depth capability is undiminished at a class-leading 900mm.
The complete system, including a lithium ion battery pack, inverter and electric motor, weighs less than 120kg. The electric motor produces 170Nm torque and operates to boost acceleration when required, and to drive the vehicle in EV (electric vehicle) Mode. The motor also acts as a generator, harvesting kinetic energy through regenerative braking, charging the battery when the vehicle is slowing. In EV mode the Range Rover Hybrid can travel at speeds of up to 30mph (48km/h) for a range of up to one mile (1.6km) before the diesel engine seamlessly restarts.
Together, output of the diesel engine and electric motor is 340PS at 4,000rpm and a class-leading 700Nm torque between 1,500-3,000rpm, delivering performance on a par with the SDV8 engine. The version to be marketed in China is technically identical to that sold elsewhere, except for a change to the exhaust system to take into account the different local emissions standards.