Bangkok--16 Mar--Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
Land Rover reveals 'Land_e', an e-Terrain Technology Concept which focuses on a series of innovative technologies — collectively known as the 'e-Terrain System' — that reduce both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions whilst also improving the outstanding breadth of capability of Land Rover’s 4x4 vehicles. Land Rover's innovative application of various environmental technologies targets a 30 percent fuel economy improvement.
“e-Terrain System” primarily comprises Integrated Starter Generator (or Belt-ISG), Integrated Electric Rear Axle drive and prop-shaft with Seamless Re-connect. Other auxiliary technologies include thermal and electrical efficiency systems (ITP & IMES), Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS), Terrain Response with e Mode and bio-diesel capability. These technologies will start to be seen on Land Rover vehicles progressively from 2008.
Integrated Starter-Generator (ISG) system simply stops the engine while the car stops. Working together with Integrated Electric Rear Axle Drive, ISG stops the engine while at low speed riding, keeping the vehicle driven up to 32.2 km. per hour by electric power alone, through all four wheels and using the energy stored in the battery system. As road speed increases, ISG automatically restarts the engine. Even more, in slow-moving traffic, the Land-e can run at up to 32.2 km. per hour on electric power alone.
Integrated Electric Rear Axle Drive actually enhances off-road performance by augmenting rather than replacing mechanical drive. The electric system by itself could not provide enough power to the rear wheels to enable the breadth of capability needed on a Land Rover. It is the simultaneous combination of the mechanical and the electric power that would deliver the supreme off-road capability of a typical Land Rover.
Combined with Integrated Electric Rear Axle Drive, the prop-shaft with Seamless Re-connect offers an added control in full rear drive on very slippery surfaces, the car can pull away promptly with no wheelspin to avoid surface damage. The ability to disconnect the prop-shaft and rear differential when torque is not required increases mechanical efficiency and offer energy savings. Driving at road speeds, Seamless Re-connect function re-engages full four-wheel drive with matching rear axle and prop-shaft speeds to avoid unsettling torque inputs, contributing to safety as well as efficiency.
Though not unique innovation in present automobile market, Electric power assisted steering is relatively new in an off-road capable 4x4. It supports the e-Terrain system by ensuring greater efficiency and better fuel economy.
The Terrain Response can fine-tune its power and responses to any challenging driving environment — from shifting sand, mud, grass, gravel, snow and rock. e-Terrain adds new levels of power and control while improving fuel efficiency and emissions. Additionally, e-Mode offers softer throttle responses and delivers the most effective gearshift points, using full four-wheel drive capabilities only as needed for safety and traction.
Land_e also introduces the “regenerating braking” concept. The energy released during braking isn’t wasted, but captured and recycled into battery unit. When the Land-e is slowed by its Integrated Electrical Rear Axle Drive, the kinetic energy is turned into electrical energy, which is stored in the Land_e’s additional high capacity battery unit. As a consequence, when the vehicle needs extra power, that stored electrical energy is available to drive the wheels without demanding more power from the engine. Fuel consumption and emission are less.
On its commitment to environmental technologies with bio-diesel compatibility, Land Rovers can already run on diesel fuel with a five percent bio content available. Land-e, moreover, is designed for next generation of bio-fuel with a 25 to 30 percent Bio-diesel content, and subsequently can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 25 percent.
A dedicated area of Land Rover global website, focusing on “Innovation” provides more details on Land_e' and its technologies. The global link is as follows: www.landrover.com/land_e .
Issued on behalf of : Land Rover Thailand
For more information : Nisarat Chaimongkolchai
( [email protected] )
Tel. 0-2719-9940-2 ext. 109
Ruanrudee Taweepol
( [email protected] )
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Limited
Tel. 0-2205-6620