2019 Range Rover Announced: Everything You Need to Know
All-Terrain Capability
The renowned off-road capability of the Range Rover further expands with the P400e, as its electric motor offers greater control of torque from a standstill. This facilitates improved low-speed control and superior pull-away on low-grip surfaces. The low range transmission can also be operated in pure EV mode; bringing luxurious refinement to all-terrain journeys. The Land Rover Terrain Response 2 technology is also able to distribute torque from the electric motor, which has no creep speed and maximum torque from zero rpm, to all four wheels. This assists with greater control during low-speed off-road maneuvers, reaffirming the vehicle’s outstanding breadth of capability.
Handling and performance across remainder of the model range can also be managed via a series of Terrain Response 2 programs. This includes a Comfort mode, which calibrates the suspension settings to optimize ride comfort, while the Dynamic setting is designed to give the driver a more dynamic ride. These modes exist alongside Grass Gravel Snow, Mud/Ruts, Sand, Rock Crawl and Eco settings.
In Eco mode, the driver receives instantaneous feedback and guidance on driving more efficiently, while minimizing electrical power consumption and highlighting the effects of certain features on fuel efficiency. It also softens the throttle pedal response, modifies the automatic transmission shift pattern and switches off heating for the door mirrors, steering wheel and seats to optimize fuel efficiency.
The Range Rover also benefits from the brand’s unique Low Traction Launch System, which helps to exploit available traction when pulling away on low-traction surfaces. Unlike All-Terrain Progress Control, the company’s all-terrain cruise control technology, Low Traction Launch initiates a unique throttle map to provide a more usable torque curve. The system is specifically designed to help drivers pull-away from a standstill on slippery surfaces such as wet grass, loose gravel and snow.
Hill Descent Control is also fitted as standard, while excellent ground clearance and a smooth underfloor help the vehicle negotiate rough terrain. Wading capability for the P400e is also uncompromised with a maximum depth of 35.4in.
For 2019MY, a Wade Sensing system will now be offered as an option on all US Range Rover derivatives. The system provides real-time wading depth information relative to the maximum wading capability for the current location of the vehicle. Using sensors on the underside of the door mirrors, the system reports this information to the driver via a dedicated display on the vehicle’s touchscreen. The system also provides the driver an indication of the vehicle’s position/angle, and can estimate when the vehicle is potentially going into deeper water or coming out of the water. The driver is able to turn on the Wade Sensing feature using a soft button in the 4x4i menu.
Four-Wheel Drive
The four-wheel-drive capability of the Range Rover is managed by a twin-speed transfer case design which has an actuator rather than a separate motor and ECU. This results in a 3.3lb reduction in weight and is controlled via a multi-plate clutch. Together with the bevel gear center differential it provides a 50:50 torque split.
Using wheel slip information from a range of sensors, the clutch is designed to distribute torque evenly between all four wheels, while a ‘shift on the move’ system allows selectable high and low gears up to 37mph. The Active Rear Locking Differential can also be optimized to assist in cornering stability and traction.
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