Range Rover Electric Prototypes Surpass Extreme Winter Testing

On the icy tracks of the Arctic Circle, the electric Range Rover has proven that all-wheel drive technology can handle any surface. Thanks to a much more precise torque delivery than internal combustion engines, the Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD) technology can distribute rear axle torque from 100% to 0 to prevent traction loss.

The Integrated Traction Management system helps maintain traction stability by controlling engine speed in 50 milliseconds and managing slip up to 100 times faster than a similar internal combustion vehicle.

After the second season in Arjeplog, the electric Range Rover prototypes will continue their rigorous testing and development programme with an eye on opening reservations.

In its mission to preserve the essence of an unparalleled product, Range Rover redefines the concept of a luxury electric SUV by offering an incomparable driving experience that lives up to its name. The electric Range Rover prototypes continue their journey towards production after successfully completing the second season of testing and development in sub-zero temperatures in the Arctic Circle.

Covering over 70,000 accumulated kilometres across frozen lakes and dirt tracks, the latest winter season in Northern Europe has allowed engineers to test the advanced thermal management system of the electric Range Rover with a series of demanding challenges. The frozen lakes offered a unique opportunity to test the vehicle's dynamics, such as single-pedal driving and dual-chamber switchable air suspension.

One of the main objectives for engineers in the final development phase in Arjeplog, Sweden, has been to validate the new ThermAssist technology of the electric Range Rover. The advanced onboard thermal management system reduces thermal energy consumption by up to 40% by recovering heat to warm the propulsion system or cabin in situations where the outside temperature is even -10°C.

This advanced thermal management technology ensures that the electric Range Rover can offer optimal range even in extreme cold conditions. It also minimises the impact of freezing temperatures on charging performance, ensuring that charging capacity remains intact. Occupants also enjoy a consistently warm cabin environment, regardless of the weather outside.

The 800V high-voltage battery, which optimises energy density, range, and charging time, is the first to be designed and manufactured in-house by JLR. The ultimate luxury electric SUV has been developed to deliver the effortless performance and classic refinement expected of a Range Rover with Cell-To-Pack architecture that offers the highest possible performance. The 117 kWh battery of the electric Range Rover is fully integrated with an intelligent configuration of 344 prismatic cells distributed in two layers.

The off-road capability and refinement that define the Range Rover experience will be maintained in the electric version thanks to the introduction of advanced technologies, such as single-pedal driving and dual-chamber switchable air suspension.

The electric Range Rover, offering a hassle-free experience with the sensation of having hidden power, takes single-pedal driving to unprecedented levels. In addition to recharging the battery with regenerative braking, it has been configured to work seamlessly with Terrain Response.

Single-pedal driving allows the vehicle to come to a complete stop and activate Hill Hold so the driver can resume driving without needing to press the brake at any time. One of the most distinctive features of single-pedal driving in the electric Range Rover is its ability to operate on challenging surfaces, as demonstrated by Range Rover engineers on slopes with 28 and 17-degree inclines with different friction coefficients (μ split) at the Arctic Circle test areas.

To ensure that the electric Range Rover maintains the true poise of a Range Rover in any situation, the dual-chamber switchable air suspension has been developed to the millimetre to manage body movements resulting from the characteristic weight distribution of the electric model.