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Going Green in Geneva: The Land Rover Range-e Although first announced as part of the CABLED testing program back in May of 2010, this year's Geneva Auto Show gave us the first glimpse of Range Rover's experimental plug-in hybrid SUV, the first vehicle of its kind to offer plug-in electric power in off-road form.
For the most part, the Range-e is a Range Rover Sport. Powering the SUV is the 245 hp 3.0l turbo diesel V6 used in the SUV outside the U.S. Between this engine and the eight speed automatic transmission is a 69 kW (95 hp) electric motor. The 14.2 kWh battery replaces the spare tire and extends into the cargo space behind the rear seats, but it's shallower than the original spare tire well, improving approach and departure angles. The four wheel drive system, high and low gearing, and locking differentials from the Sport remain the same, maintaining the vehicle's off road capabilities.
The Range-e can travel up to twenty miles on electric power, but only at speeds under 50 mph. Once this speed is reached, the diesel engine will start, pulling the vehicle up to its 120 mph top speed. The hybrid is expected to average 85 miles per Imperial gallon, or about 70 U.S. mpg. The SUV has a 690 mile range with a full tank of fuel and a fully charged battery. Using a quick charge station can refill the battery up to 80% capacity in under an hour, or about four hours using a UK-standard 220v electric outlet.
Although it was first shown to the public at the Geneva Auto Show, the Range-e was first announced in May of 2010 as part of CABLED, the Coventry and Birmingham Low Emissions Demonstrators consortium. This project puts 110 electric vehicles into the hands of people living in the West Midlands to drive them in real-world environments.
Five of these will be Range-e's, and their drivers have already been chosen. The Sport is a stand-out in the field: Aside from five electric British taxis, all the other vehicles in CABLED are small city cars. By participating in the program Land Rover will benefit from charging stations installed in the area to handle vehicle recharging.
Land Rover says they'll have hybrids using a diesel/electric power combo similar to the Range-e on the market by 2013, although there's no word on if and when a plug-in version will come to market. Price for each prototype is estimated at £2 million ($3.2 million.)