Land Rover reveals electrified Defender research vehicle

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LAND ROVER UNVEILS NEW ELECTRIC DEFENDER RESEARCH VEHICLE AT GENEVA
MOTOR SHOW

- Land Rover continues to champion innovation in sustainable
engineering with electric Defender research vehicle
- Engineered to deliver zero emissions whilst retaining legendary
all-terrain capability
- Innovative powertrain combines a 70kw electric motor with
lithium-ion battery pack

Whitley, UK, February 28, 2013 Land Rover is continuing to champion
British innovation and cutting-edge automotive engineering by
unveiling seven new electric Defender models at the 2013 Geneva Motor
Show. The research vehicle delivers zero emissions whilst retaining
its tough, go-anywhere capability.

"Investing in innovation has always been the lifeblood of our
business and our engineering teams are working hard to develop
innovative new technology to provide sustainable motoring
solutions," said John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director.

The standard diesel engine and gearbox in the 110 Defenders have been
replaced by a 70kW (94bhp), 330Nm electric motor twinned with a
300-volt, lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 27kWh, giving a range
of more than 50 miles. In typical, low speed off-road use it can last
for up to eight hours before recharging. The battery can be fully
charged by a 7kW fast charger in four hours, or a portable 3kW charger
in 10 hours.

The electric vehicles (EVs) retain the Defender's legendary four-wheel
drive system and differential lock. Because the electric motor
delivers maximum torque from the moment it starts, there's no need for
gear shifting and the transmission comprises a single speed, 2.7:1
reduction gearbox combined with the existing Defender four-wheel drive
system. A modified version of Land Rover's Terrain Response®System has
also been incorporated.

The vehicles were developed by Land Rover's Advanced Engineering Team
following successful trials of the Defender-based electric vehicle,
Leopard 1. The vehicles' capability has been tested in extreme and
environmentally sensitive conditions, demonstrating capabilities not
shared by conventional road-going EVs. Trials included pulling a
12-tonne 'road train' up a 13 percent gradient and wading to a depth
of 800mm.

In keeping with Land Rover's 'Tread Lightly' philosophy the smooth,
low-speed capability of the electric drivetrain makes the electric
Defenders especially well suited to climbing obstacles without
damaging the ground unnecessarily.

The battery weighs 410kg and is mounted in the front of the Defender
in place of the diesel engine. Kerb weight is 100kg more than a basic
Defender 110 and ranges from 2055kg to 2162kg depending whether the
body style is a pick-up, hard top or station wagon.

All the major components in the electric powertrain - including the
battery, inverter and motor - are air-cooled rather than liquid
cooled, saving a considerable amount of weight and complexity and
adding robustness. Regenerative braking has been optimised to such an
extent that using Hill Descent Control, the motor can generate 30kW of
electricity. Because the battery technology can be charged very
quickly at a rate of up to twice its capacity of 54kW without reducing
battery life, almost all of the regenerated energy can be recovered
and stored. Up to 80 percent of the kinetic energy in the vehicle can
be recovered in this way, depending on conditions.

"This project is acting as a rolling laboratory for Land Rover to
assess electric vehicles, even in the most arduous all-terrain
conditions. It gives us a chance to evolve and test some of the
technologies that may one day be introduced into future Land Rover
models," said Antony Harper, Jaguar Land Rover Head of Research.

Although there are no plans for the all-terrain electric Defender to
enter series production, the seven EVs will go into service in
specialist real world trials later this year.

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