Land Rover continues to work on the 100% electric Range Rover, a model that marks the Coventry company’s journey towards electric mobility and is currently undergoing intensive testing.
The electric prototypes of the Range Rover are being tested under extreme conditions, and after facing the heat of the desert, the brand has returned to test the 100% electric SUV in sub-zero temperatures in the Arctic Circle.
Covering over 70,000 kilometers across frozen lakes and gravel roads, the recent winter season in northern Europe saw Land Rover engineers testing the thermal management system of the electric Range Rover, the “ThermAssist,” which reduces energy consumption by up to 40% by recovering heat to warm the propulsion system and cabin at temperatures as low as -10 degrees. This technology allows the fully electric Range Rover to maximize its range in extremely cold conditions.
Furthermore, the tests in the Arctic Circle also served to evaluate the vehicle’s dynamics, including the “one-pedal” driving capability, which allows for operation with a single pedal, as well as testing the air suspension.
It is already known that the 100% electric Range Rover will hit the market later this year, and it features an 800 Volt architecture, which will allow for faster battery charging speeds with ultra-fast chargers. It is based on a flexible modular longitudinal platform and is equipped with two electric motors and all-wheel drive. The electric motors are powered by a 117 kWh battery, developed in-house, which has a smart configuration of 344 prismatic cells arranged in two layers.
The off-road capabilities of the new 100% electric Range Rover are further enhanced by a wading depth of up to 850 mm, and performance, which Land Rover claims is equivalent to that of the gasoline V8 with 530 hp.
