01 Mar 06
A few years back, Land Rover hinted at a new entry-level 'baby' SUV known as the Landie. This isn't it, though there's some echo in the Land_e name and it could have some influence on a future small-dimensioned LR product.
Instead, the Land_e is just a mock-up to display some of Land Rover's new technologies. Its full name is the Land_e e-Terrain Technology Concept, setting out its stall as eco-friendly and high-tech. Its target is to achieve fuel economy reductions of 30% to around 50mpg and carbon dioxide output of around 150 g/km, from a vehicle similar in size to the Freelander. The economy and emissions improvements are gained via a series of systems, some seen before in cars from other manufacturers but all new to Land Rover.
The first is the Integrated Electric Rear Axle Drive (IERAD) works in conjunction with an Integrated Start-Generator (ISG). It's not a full hybrid system, but a battery system sends electric power to the rear axle when needed to supplement the power from the conventional mechanical drivetrain. As electric power systems can achieve peak torque from a standstill, this can benefit performance, low-speed control and pulling away on a slippery surface.
The system can operate in fully-electric mode at up to 20mph, with the ISG restarting the engine whenever necessary. The electrical energy is stored in a 12-volt battery system, with auxiliary lithium-ion batteries collecting the energy dissipated under braking (so-called regenerative braking).
The Integrated Starter-Generator, essentially a stop-start device, similar to that developed by Citroen or Volkswagen. It replaces the alternator and automatically stops the engine when the vehicle stops or is idling, restarting it when required. In combination with the Integrated Rear Axle Drive, it can offer improvements of up to 20% in carbon dioxide emissions.
Finally, the propshaft with Seamless Re-Connect means that the drive to the rear wheels can be disconnected when not needed, allowing the vehicle to run in more economical two-wheel drive mode. It is claimed to be much quicker-acting than selectable or torque-sensing part-time four-wheel-drive systems already on the market and to virtually eliminate wheel slippage.
These three systems are said to be fully compatible with all current Land Rover engine and gearbox configurations, and can be adapted for any model in any country. We can expect to see them on offer in production cars in the near future.
Terrain Response e-Mode, however, is a little further into the future. It is a six-mode system to optimise fuel economy, working in combination with the IERAD. The first e-Mode is for on-road use, and gives the option of fully-electric operation at low speeds and the two-wheel-drive. The further modes are Sand, with the electric drive to the rear axle kicking in when needed to stop the vehicle getting bogged down; Mud and Ruts to deal with heavier mud and deep furrows; Grass, Gravel and Snow, which aims to prevent tyre slippage and limits engine power with super-quick responses from the IERAD; and Rock Crawl, with most of the power coming from the electrically-driven rear axle for low-speed progress.
Land Rover hasn't given details of the engine in this theoretical concept, but it's a diesel - and capable of running on organically produced biodiesel, or at least, in blends of up to 25% biodiesel. Land Rover's production diesel engines are expected to meet this target in the next few years.
Further small details also help to reduce fuel economy. A heat-exchanger set-up collects wasted heat from the exhaust system to use in faster engine and gearbox warm-up under cold starting, when an engine is at its most inefficient; active 'aero vanes' can close sections of the radiator under certain conditions to aid cold-starting and aerodynamics; an electronically controlled thermostat and cooling circuit gives precise temperature control; and an on-demand water pump is also more efficient. Electric power steering reduces weight and power losses via hydraulic pumps.
The high-voltage electrical supply enabled by the ISG reduces the drain on the engine's power and a sophisticated management system that monitors battery charging avoids overcharging and regulates high electrical loads.
Land Rover MD Matthew Taylor summed up the Land_e by saying: 'The e-Terrain technologies are practical, feasible real-world solutions. In every case they preserve - and in most cases improve - our breadth of capability. We are not prepared to dilute the essence of Land Rover. But we are committed to improving fuel economy and reducing CO2 emissions.'
