Range rover diesel hybrid on the Silk Road

[haven]

Range Rover is developing a V6 diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain. The combination can produce more than 500 ft-lb of torque, while delivering 36 mpg (USA gallons).

To test the new drivetrain, a group of Range Rovers will drive from England to Mumbai, India (home of parent company Tata). The trip will cover 10,000 miles and pass through 12 countries. At least a part of the trip will follow the route of the ancient Silk Road.

Whether the diesel-electric drivetrain will appear in USA is an open question. With European and USA diesel emission standards growing closer, soon it won't be as expensive to certify Euro diesels for use in USA.

More information and the Range over press release here
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/08/21/land-rover-announces-range-rover-hybrids/

 

[proper4wd]

This is excellent! And on the heels of the Trans-America LR4 trip.

 

[Christian P.]

I like that.

 

[1leglance]

Now this is something cool....at least as there are some real adventure aspects to this kind of trip and a great them of England to India.

 

[PJPR01]

I wonder what kind of tires they are using on this adventure? Same as the North America ones?

 

[David Harris]

I wonder what kind of tires they are using on this adventure? Same as the North America ones?

Well, after 11 flats just getting across North America, let's hope they wake up to reality about those 19 inch wheels. Otherwise they will have to have a chase truck loaded with spares on that desolate route.

 

[umbertob]

That will be interesting to see since, as far as I know the new Sport and Range Rover, are both limited to 19" wheels as the smallest OEM diameter (just like the LR4.) Perhaps they plan on fitting these hybrids with smaller brakes, but that wouldn't make much sense since these vehicles are heavier than their non-hybrid versions. Fortunately for Land Rover, the selection of AT/MT 19" tires in Europe is not quite as pitiful as it is here in the US. For example, they could fit these vehicles with 255/55R19 Wrangler DuraTracs, perhaps even MT/Rs (I think Goodyear still makes those for certain European markets?), both of which would a lot better for overlanding than the summer Contis they used for the TAT expedition.

 

[A.J.M]

They fitted the 1,000,000th Discovery with Duratrac's for it's trip across Europe and Asia, i would imagine they would do the same again for the Range rover.

Very cool trip though, nice way to test the new tech in some interesting terrain.

 

[Scott Brady]

This is a pretty legit route:


Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan will be fantastic, although I would have included the Pamir Highway. Samarkand is such a beautiful city.

 

[454]

This is a pretty legit route:
View attachment 180352...

Indeed. Although I imagine that someone from The Peanut Gallery will pooh-pooh it.

 

[David Harris]

I like that it is going through western China. That will be a little traveled route for westerners. The Hindu Kush would be great, but I assume they are avoiding Afghanistan for political reasons.

 

[rockwood]

Been plenty of talk that it wills me it here thanks to cafe rules.
Not that I can afford one.

 

[haven]

Looks like the Range Rover diesel hybrid vehicles have traveled 5200 miles, and are halfway to Beijing. The nine vehicle convoy has experienced 4 punctures and one cracked windshield. The diesel hybrid drivetrain provides 40 mpg (imperial gallons) / 33 mpg (USA gallons) when on pavement, quite respectable for a heavy SUV loaded down with gear.

http://www.hybridcars.com/range-rover-hybrids-soldier-on-during-silk-trail-expedition/

 

[David Harris]

Looks like the Range Rover diesel hybrid vehicles have traveled 5200 miles, and are halfway to Beijing. The nine vehicle convoy has experienced 4 punctures and one cracked windshield. The diesel hybrid drivetrain provides 40 mpg (imperial gallons) / 33 mpg (USA gallons) when on pavement, quite respectable for a heavy SUV loaded down with gear.

http://www.hybridcars.com/range-rover-hybrids-soldier-on-during-silk-trail-expedition/

Amazing mileage for those conditions in a vehicle like that.

 

[Luis]

Hi, this is the back up team, a bunch of Discoveries 4 over Good Year Wrangler Duratrac 255 55 r19