The three vehicles, called Concept_e by the company, offer battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and mild hybrid (MHEV)solutions based on Range Rover platforms and using a modular electric drive module developed in-house by the firm.
JLR says that the electric drive system is capable of producing twice the power and torque of any electric motor-generator in production today and can be inserted between any engine and transmission to create MHEV or PHEV, or used alone for a BEV.
Jaguar Land Rover’s advanced powertrain research team led a two-year, US$25.3m research project part-funded by the UK government and involving 12 UK-based technology partners.
Dr Wolfgang Epple, director of research and technology at Jaguar Land Rover, said, “This is a long-term research project exploring all aspects of future hybrid and battery electric vehicle technology. The three Concept_e vehicles will allow us to test and develop exciting new potential technologies that could form part of our low and zero emissions vision beyond 2020.
“The project is also helping to develop the UK’s skills and capabilities in alternative powertrains. We are serious about helping the UK become a worldwide leader in powertrain technologies. Collaborative research programmes like this allow us to multiply the effect of our own R&D investment and nurture the UK’s technology supply chain. This approach is helping to develop the skills and technologies that will make the UK even more competitive in the future.”
The three vehicle concepts produced by the project were:
Concept_e MHEV
A mild hybrid, based on a Range Rover Evoque donor vehicle, featuring a 90ps prototype diesel engine and a 48V electrical system. It incorporates a 15kW crank-integrated motor with disconnect clutch within a hybrid module sandwiched between the engine and 9-speed transmission. The motor-generator is powered by an advanced 48V electrical system and lithium ion battery pack.
Concept_e PHEV
The plug-in hybrid (below) employs a similar architecture to the MHEV but with a 300ps prototype petrol engine and 8-speed transmission longitudinally mounted within a Range Rover Sport donor vehicle. The electric motor is capable of up to 150kW and also takes up the function of the starter motor.
The motor draws electrical energy from a 320V lithium ion battery packaged in the boot. The hybrid powerplant drives through the conventional automatic gearbox normally fitted to the Range Rover Sport, and the full time four-wheel drive system is retained.
Concept_e BEV
A bespoke research demonstrator based on Jaguar Land Rover’s aluminum vehicle architecture. The underbody has been modified to mount the 70kWh HV lithium ion traction battery and electric axle drive (EAD) units. The front-drive unit features a single speed transmission coupled with an 85kW electric motor. The rear-drive unit features a twin-speed transmission coupled with a 145kW electric motor.
September 17, 2015