Land Rover Land_e Concept: Green to the Extreme
In the Land_e these two systems working together are supposed to provide a conventional driving experience while drastically improving fuel economy and reducing CO2 emissions, just like Toyota’s system. But wait, there’s more. Land Rover has also implemented a number of other innovations that claim to assist in reducing environmental impact by maximizing the vehicle’s overall efficiency. For example, the Seamless Re-connect system is one that reduces mechanical losses by disconnecting the drive to the rear wheels when it is not needed, such as on a dry surface. However, if the system detects a slippery condition, rear-drive will be re-engaged instantaneously to provide added traction. News flash! The Highlander and RX 400h do this too.
The cooling system is controlled by Land Rover’s Intelligent Thermal Programme (the latter word British for program). This system has a number of functions. First off, it uses normally wasted exhaust heat to speed the warm-up of the engine and gearbox from cold reducing friction losses. An electronically controlled thermostat and cooling circuit accurately controls the coolant temperature to keep the engine running closer to its optimum temperature which, in turn, increases engine efficiency. Finally, this system utilizes an electric water pump as opposed to a belt-driven pump. This electric pump is only operational when needed instead of running constantly, thus avoiding the inefficiency of running at high speeds.
Similar to the electric water pump, the power steering is also controlled electronically by the Electric Power Assisted Steering system. This system eliminates the pumped hydraulic assistance of conventional systems by using electric servos that control the steering rack directly. Therefore, it eliminates power lost to a hydraulic pumping system especially at high speeds when little or no assistance is needed.
All of these innovations and more can be seen on the new Land_e concept, and Land Rover states that most will be available on production models within the next few years. Of course, Land Rover won’t look to Toyota for its source of HEV technology, but rather, what it doesn’t develop in-house, will no doubt come from parent company Ford, which currently produces the Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid in the U.S. A Fusion hybrid is next on the agenda. North American Land Rover buyers would most likely embrace a Land Rover with HEV technology, especially one as advanced as this Land_e concept.