How exactly the Land Rover strategy was rethought: interesting information
Jaguar Land Rover is changing its (model) future under the motto "Rethinking". Details about electric and electrified Land Rover models have already been published.
In early March 2021, Thierry Bollore, boss of Jaguar Land Rover (lrman) due to leave at the end of 2022, presented the corporate strategy for the coming years. The British intended to invest ten billion pounds (11.6 billion euros) in the Reimagine program. Among other things, it is assumed that by 2025 Jaguar will turn into an all-electric brand. In addition, about 60 percent of Land Rover models should be electrified by this point. A total of six electric Land Rovers are planned for the next five years.
By 2025, Jaguar will be an all-electric brand.
Evoque and Discovery on the EMA platform
In 2024, JLR will introduce the EMA (Electrified Modular Architecture) platform that will underpin the new Range Rover Evoque as well as the Discovery Sport. The platform is designed for all types of drives, but initially it will be used only for electricians. Accordingly, the two next-generation SUVs are available as pure electric, with a range-extending petrol engine, or as plug-in hybrids; the latter should provide a power reserve of almost 100 kilometers. On the other hand, there will be no more internal combustion engines; diesel engines with increasingly complex exhaust gas treatment or mild hybrids.
Light research project Tucana by Jaguar Landrover
The EMA platform places the batteries at the bottom between bridges in a chassis with a simple design, where various types of chemical elements are theoretically possible. At a meeting with investors, it became known that electric models are equipped with 800-volt charging technology and have a range of 6.5 to 7.2 kilometers per kilowatt-hour. The electric motors must have particularly high torque and be located on each of the two axles in order to provide a simple four-wheel drive.
Range Rover on MLA platform
However, the new platform should not only offer more flexibility in terms of powertrain. The EMA should also provide for a wider range of assistance systems and - thanks to the car's flat floor - more space. Communication will be via cloud technology and Ethernet networks, with which JLR wants to reduce the number of control devices. In addition, Bollore believes that the new platform strategy will be able to optimize the return on investment. At the same time, previous quality problems should be a thing of the past.
The Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models, as well as the future Land Rover Discovery (info), will be based on the MLA (Modular Longitudinal Architecture) platform, which was supposed to celebrate its premiere along with the electric XJ, which was subsequently abandoned.
The flexible architecture, mostly made of aluminum, provides mild hybrid, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric drive. It is likely that the next Velar will also be based on this platform. It could be released as an all-electric model, which would be another way to differentiate itself from the Evoque. Thus, Velar will join the family of electric vehicles, which Land Rover will also unite under a new name.
Pickup truck and electric car model for the Defender family
Speaking of family, the Defender series (info), which currently still uses the rather outdated D7 platform in its x (from "x-treme") variant, will be expanded with two more models - including a pickup version. However, they should not be based on the D7x subframe and, according to British media, should also move to the MLA platform. An all-electric version of the Defender is scheduled for 2025 as part of a regular facelift, likely in all three body lengths. Visually, despite the new substructure in Defender, little should change. Inside sources suggest the platform will come with up to 100kWh batteries providing a range of up to 480 kilometers. The completely flat bottom of the car should also give the Defender additional advantages in terms of off-road suitability.
Road Rover dropped out of brand plans
According to the original plans, another, sixth model, called the “Medium SUV” inside the company, was supposed to appear. This "road rover" is a lower and more crossover model, however, it will not appear on the market.
