Photo: Land Rover
Three Range Rover Diesel Hybrid prototypes have completed a enduring engineering test along the Silk Trail, traveling for 10,472 miles from Land Rover’s headquarters in Solihull, UK, to the home of Jaguar Land Rover owner Tata Motors in Mumbai, India.
In their 53-day journey, the three Range Rover Diesel Hybrids covered two continents and 13 countries, and were tested at temperatures from -10 degrees to 43 degrees Celsius, at altitudes between 11,000 and 17,648 feet (3,350 and 5,379 meters) and over every type of terrain. Also, Land Rover’s test hybrids became the first foreign-registered cars to drive China’s Xinjiang - Tibet highway.
According to the British-based company, the Range Rover Diesel Hybrids, which are powered by a 3.0-liter TDV6 engine and 35 kW electric motor combo, returned 36 to 37 UK miles per gallon throughout the journey.
“The world’s first diesel hybrid expedition along the Silk Trail pioneered an ambitious route across Europe and Asia that would have been impassable to most other types of vehicle – but no matter how hostile the conditions, the Range Rover Hybrid prototypes took it all in their stride. In developing the hybrid-powered Range Rover, our objective was to gain hybrid’s fuel economy and carbon emissions advantages without compromising the Range Rover’s go-anywhere capabilities, its cabin space or its refinement. The success of this remarkable expedition clearly demonstrates we have achieved that,” said Peter Richings, Jaguar Land Rover hybrids and electrification director.
Land Rover’s first ever production hybrid to go on sale in first quarter 2014 in selected markets only.
According to the British-based company, the Range Rover Diesel Hybrids, which are powered by a 3.0-liter TDV6 engine and 35 kW electric motor combo, returned 36 to 37 UK miles per gallon throughout the journey.
“The world’s first diesel hybrid expedition along the Silk Trail pioneered an ambitious route across Europe and Asia that would have been impassable to most other types of vehicle – but no matter how hostile the conditions, the Range Rover Hybrid prototypes took it all in their stride. In developing the hybrid-powered Range Rover, our objective was to gain hybrid’s fuel economy and carbon emissions advantages without compromising the Range Rover’s go-anywhere capabilities, its cabin space or its refinement. The success of this remarkable expedition clearly demonstrates we have achieved that,” said Peter Richings, Jaguar Land Rover hybrids and electrification director.
Land Rover’s first ever production hybrid to go on sale in first quarter 2014 in selected markets only.
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