The Land Rover brand is testing its first electric vehicle under extreme conditions ahead of its launch next year.
The new electric Range Rover is in the final stages of testing before its planned launch next year. Recent images reveal Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) second production electric vehicle undergoing trials in the United Arab Emirates, following earlier tests in the Arctic Circle. Current testing conditions include temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius and humidity levels up to 90%.
The vehicle is being evaluated for its off-road capabilities and the effectiveness of its new thermal management system, which is the most advanced ever installed in a Range Rover. This system aims to ensure maximum cabin comfort in extreme heat, and JLR reports that the vehicles have exceeded expectations in these tests.
Additional trials involve driving the test mules up Big Red, a 300ft sand dune in Sharjah’s Al Badayer desert, to assess the new Intelligent Torque Management system. This system, which replaces traditional ABS-based traction control, significantly enhances off-road traction by optimizing power distribution to each electric motor, cutting torque reaction time from about 100 milliseconds to as little as one millisecond. According to JLR, repeated tests showed no decline in performance.
Thomas Müller, JLR’s product engineering director, emphasised the challenge of hot climates for electric vehicles, particularly the dual demands of cooling the cabin and optimizing battery performance. The vehicles are also tested for controlled low-speed torque essential for sand driving, ensuring that the traction control and thermal management systems maintain effective power delivery.
The Range Rover Electric prototypes are displayed without camouflage, similar to those tested in the Arctic Circle, showcasing the build quality of these initial models. The prototype’s design aligns closely with the current Range Rover models, maintaining the brand’s established aesthetic while subtly indicating its electric nature.
This vehicle marks the first use of a battery and electric drive unit assembled in-house by JLR. It features an 800V charging architecture, and while specific performance details are not yet disclosed, the company promises capabilities on par with or exceeding the ICE versions, including superior towing, wading, and all-terrain capabilities.
The Range Rover Electric will be manufactured in Solihull, alongside the current mild-hybrid and PHEV models, initially using batteries from a third-party supplier before transitioning to in-house production at a new gigafactory planned by parent company Tata Motors in Somerset.
JLR is also considering a hydrogen-powered Range Rover, continuing its investment in alternative energy sources to achieve zero tailpipe emissions by 2036 as part of its broader environmental strategy.
