Where we stand: September, 2012
British car manufacturer Land Rover is the second oldest four-wheel-drive car brand in the world, after Jeep, and has built its reputation with a marquee that encompasses some of the most popular 4?4 models on our roads including: the Range Rover, Land Rover Defender and Land Rover Discovery.
However, while it has always been known for its striking, powerful models it has recently dipped its wheels tentatively into a more environmental approach to motoring: reducing the emissions of its existing line-up and introducing an exciting new model for the future.
Land Rover today
Land Rover was actually one of the earliest movers in the green car sector: moving quickly to test out electric vehicle technology, thanks in part to its links with the Army.
In 2008, it introduced Integrated Electric Rear Axle Drive Technology (ERAD), which was dubbed as E-Terrain Technology. This allows a vehicle to move from a stationary position without needing to activate the engine; and it also supplies additional power when travelling over difficult terrain. Land Rover actually developed a Diesel ERAD Hybrid in partnership with the UK?s Energy Saving Trust and Land Rover is attempting to introduce the technology into its vehicles as part of a range of innovations known as E-Terrain Technologies. At the British Motor Show of 2008, it displayed the new technology within two Land Rover Freelander II prototypes.
Arguably its most significant breakthrough however, came at the North American International Auto Show during the same year when it unveiled the LRX Concept vehicle ? a smaller and more environmentally friendly vehicle featuring a host of E-Terrain Technologies. These included: lightweight construction materials; a start-stop system; carbon composite roof panels; and the ERAD hybrid system. According to Land Rover, its aim with the vehicle was to achieve 120g/km of CO2 with fuel economy in the region of 60mpg.
The vehicle was eventually put into production at the Land Rover plant in Halewood, Merseyside, in July 2011 ? and was delivered to customers in September as the Range Rover Evoque (see article). The production model of the Range Rover Evoque retains many of the same features as the LRX Concept but no hybrid powertrain is currently being offered.
The reason Land Rover decided against introducing a hybrid engine in the Range Rover Evoque is because it is targeting a top-down hybridization project beginning with heavier models such as the Land Rover Discovery and the regular Range Rover. They are set to be introduced in 2013. Recently it announced some massive weight reductions to the Range Rover ? shaving 926lbs off its body weight in a bid to make it more fuel efficient (see article).
Greenest models on sale:
The following are the greenest models of all new Land Rover models available now in the UK:
Land Rover Defender Greenest Model: Land Rover Defender 90 with combined fuel consumption of 28.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 266g/km.
Land Rover Freelander II Greenest Model: Land Rover Freelander II eD4 manual with combined fuel consumption of 47.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 158g/km.
Land Rover Discovery 4 Greenest Model: Land Rover Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 (210hp) with combined fuel consumption of 33.2mpg and CO2 emissions of 224g/km.
Land Rover Range Rover Greenest Model: Land Rover Range Rover TDV8 with combined fuel consumption of 30.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 253g/km.
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Greenest Model: Land Rover Range Rover Evoque eD4 manual with combined fuel consumption of 56.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 133g/km.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport Greenest Model: Land Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 with combined fuel consumption of 32.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 230g/km.
Land Rover tomorrow:
In addition to its plans to introduce hybrid models throughout its range, Land Rover also unveiled an exciting plug-in hybrid model at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show:
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport E (see article): Simply put, this is a plug-in hybrid version of the Range Rover Sport with average fuel economy of 85mpg and CO2 emissions at just 89g/km. It can travel up to 22miles on electric power alone and can reach speeds up to 70mph also relying solely on its electric power.
It is expected that Land Rover will introduce a number of plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2015.
About Paul Lucas
Paul is a freelance writer with a background in everything from motoring to finance; and holidays to women's undergarments? he just writes about them, honestly! He has now sadly crept into his early 30s and seems to have forgotten everything learned at school Still, he?s a green car fanatic and isn?t that what counts?
Source: http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/index.php/2012/09/03/manufacturer-spotlight-land-rover/
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