Lighting90
26th Jul 2008, 07:34
Diesel ERAD Hybrid & e_TERRAIN TECHNOLOGIES[/font]
Land Rover’s engineers are now conducting real-world tests with some ground-breaking Diesel ERAD Hybrid vehicles, aimed at dramatically cutting CO2 and other emissions while still delivering characteristic Land Rover all-terrain performance. These engineering ‘mules’ are based on Freelander 2 vehicles, but the technology is designed to be scalable and modular, so could be applied across a variety of Land Rover models and powertrains.
This programme is one of a broad range of sustainability-focused engineering programmes that Land Rover is pursuing, brought together by the company under the collective name e_TERRAIN TECHNOLOGIES.
In addition to these Diesel ERAD Hybrids, Land Rover is developing a range of other emissions-busting and fuel-saving technologies that will start appearing on its production vehicles from now and over the next decade. These range from a stop-start function – which will be available next year as standard on all manual diesel Freelander 2 models – to other advanced hybrid systems and lightweight vehicle architectures.
“Our innovative ERAD technology featured in the LRX concept car unveiled earlier this year, and we’re now starting to deliver on our sustainability commitments with full, on-road prototypes,” says Phil Popham, Land Rover’s Managing Director. “These Diesel ERAD Hybrids mark a crucial point for Land Rover, where engineering concept is seen to become reality and our vehicles start to combine their formidable all-terrain capability with our radical new e_TERRAIN TECHNOLOGIES.”
Diesel ERAD Hybrid overview
Land Rover’s Diesel ERAD Hybrid was developed as part of a multi-million-pound project supported by the UK Government’s Energy Saving Trust, under the low carbon research and development programme. The objective is to develop a ‘parallel’ hybrid drive system compatible with all-terrain four-wheel-drive capability. As parallel hybrids, the vehicles can be driven solely by electric power or by the diesel engine, or by a combination of both. The system is designed to reduce CO2 by more than 20 per cent under the NEDC test cycle and to cut it by a substantial 30 per cent in ‘real-life’ urban conditions where hybrid technologies really come into their own.
Under many circumstances, today’s generation of petrol electric hybrids are little more efficient than the best modern diesel engines without hybrid technology. So Land Rover’s ambition is to add the benefits of a full hybrid system to modern, clean and efficient diesel powertrains, giving a win-win situation. To help deliver this, Land Rover has developed its own, unique Electric Rear Axle Drive (ERAD) system, which actually has the potential to enhance the vehicle’s all-terrain capability.
Crucially, the ERAD would enable a Land Rover to run on electric power alone, a feature which is especially effective for reducing emissions in urban conditions. Though mounted on the rear axle, the ERAD can deliver power to the front wheels, via the propshaft, enabling it to drive the vehicle in full four-wheel drive.
The second key technology on the Diesel ERAD Hybrid prototypes is the Crankshaft Integrated Starter Generator (CISG), which works with the four-cylinder turbodiesel engine of the Freelander 2 prototype mules. The CISG is a powerful electric unit mounted within the special dual-clutch transmission fitted to the prototypes. It acts as a supplementary motor for adding torque to the driveline and also for starting the main diesel engine.
The engine, CISG and ERAD work together to deliver the hybrid drive, providing a choice of diesel, electric or combined power, as appropriate to the driving conditions. This is all managed by the Power Inverters. In addition, both the ERAD and the CISG can be used for regenerative braking, recovering kinetic energy to recharge the vehicle’s special battery pack. This energy would otherwise be lost – generally dissipated as unwanted heat.
Located in the boot space – and taking up no more room than a conventional spare wheel and tyre – an advanced Lithium ion battery pack stores both the electrical energy needed to power the CISG for starting and the energy recovered during regenerative braking. Lithium ion (Li ion) batteries are lighter than the nickel metal hydride batteries used in most current production hybrids. Their chemistry also allows them to store more energy and receive a charge more quickly.
Integrated with Terrain Response
The Diesel ERAD Hybrids include a potential next-generation version of Land Rover’s award-winning Terrain Response system, which helps the driver gain maximum advantage from the hybrid technology as well as delivering unsurpassed all-terrain performance. The prototypes have five Terrain Response programmes: Eco; Dynamic; Grass/Gravel/Snow; Mud and Ruts; Sand.
Eco programme
Eco is used for much of the normal driving cycle and it allows the vehicle to select electric or diesel power as conditions demand. It delivers maximum benefit, with no tailpipe emissions, during low-speed ‘creeping’ in urban traffic: the diesel engine is automatically switched off and the ERAD drives the rear wheels. Smooth, seamless acceleration delivers added refinement, while regenerative braking recovers kinetic energy.
Dynamic programme
For steady-speed, open-road motoring using moderate acceleration and medium power, the hybrid uses the diesel engine driving through the front wheels, with the engine mapping optimised for maximum fuel economy. The diesel is in its element here, producing its lowest possible levels of CO2. Four-wheel-drive traction is available instantaneously when required.
For overtaking, or where the driver wants maximum performance from the vehicle, the engine and electric drives work together to deliver the best possible power and torque. Maximum regenerative braking energy recovery is available too.
Grass/Gravel/Snow programme
This setting is designed to deliver maximum traction by using minimum torque, avoiding wasted energy from wheelspin. The vehicle is launched in four-wheel drive under electric power only via the ERAD. The diesel engine kicks in only when needed. Using the electric drive in this way allows very fine torque control, maximising traction while minimising CO2 emissions.
Mud and Ruts programme
There are two scenarios in this mode, depending on the driver’s demands. The first is low torque with a four-wheel-drive launch from standstill under electric power only. More power is available at any time from the diesel engine if needed. The second scenario is high power and high torque delivered by the diesel engine with assistance from the electric drives to deliver good slip control and power response when required.
Sand programme
This is the ‘high-power’ off-road setting, appropriate for energy-sapping surfaces such as loose sand. The engine is boosted by the ERAD electric drive, delivering power over and above the capacity of the diesel engine alone.
Land Rover’s engineers are now conducting real-world tests with some ground-breaking Diesel ERAD Hybrid vehicles, aimed at dramatically cutting CO2 and other emissions while still delivering characteristic Land Rover all-terrain performance. These engineering ‘mules’ are based on Freelander 2 vehicles, but the technology is designed to be scalable and modular, so could be applied across a variety of Land Rover models and powertrains.
This programme is one of a broad range of sustainability-focused engineering programmes that Land Rover is pursuing, brought together by the company under the collective name e_TERRAIN TECHNOLOGIES.
In addition to these Diesel ERAD Hybrids, Land Rover is developing a range of other emissions-busting and fuel-saving technologies that will start appearing on its production vehicles from now and over the next decade. These range from a stop-start function – which will be available next year as standard on all manual diesel Freelander 2 models – to other advanced hybrid systems and lightweight vehicle architectures.
“Our innovative ERAD technology featured in the LRX concept car unveiled earlier this year, and we’re now starting to deliver on our sustainability commitments with full, on-road prototypes,” says Phil Popham, Land Rover’s Managing Director. “These Diesel ERAD Hybrids mark a crucial point for Land Rover, where engineering concept is seen to become reality and our vehicles start to combine their formidable all-terrain capability with our radical new e_TERRAIN TECHNOLOGIES.”
Diesel ERAD Hybrid overview
Land Rover’s Diesel ERAD Hybrid was developed as part of a multi-million-pound project supported by the UK Government’s Energy Saving Trust, under the low carbon research and development programme. The objective is to develop a ‘parallel’ hybrid drive system compatible with all-terrain four-wheel-drive capability. As parallel hybrids, the vehicles can be driven solely by electric power or by the diesel engine, or by a combination of both. The system is designed to reduce CO2 by more than 20 per cent under the NEDC test cycle and to cut it by a substantial 30 per cent in ‘real-life’ urban conditions where hybrid technologies really come into their own.
Under many circumstances, today’s generation of petrol electric hybrids are little more efficient than the best modern diesel engines without hybrid technology. So Land Rover’s ambition is to add the benefits of a full hybrid system to modern, clean and efficient diesel powertrains, giving a win-win situation. To help deliver this, Land Rover has developed its own, unique Electric Rear Axle Drive (ERAD) system, which actually has the potential to enhance the vehicle’s all-terrain capability.
Crucially, the ERAD would enable a Land Rover to run on electric power alone, a feature which is especially effective for reducing emissions in urban conditions. Though mounted on the rear axle, the ERAD can deliver power to the front wheels, via the propshaft, enabling it to drive the vehicle in full four-wheel drive.
The second key technology on the Diesel ERAD Hybrid prototypes is the Crankshaft Integrated Starter Generator (CISG), which works with the four-cylinder turbodiesel engine of the Freelander 2 prototype mules. The CISG is a powerful electric unit mounted within the special dual-clutch transmission fitted to the prototypes. It acts as a supplementary motor for adding torque to the driveline and also for starting the main diesel engine.
The engine, CISG and ERAD work together to deliver the hybrid drive, providing a choice of diesel, electric or combined power, as appropriate to the driving conditions. This is all managed by the Power Inverters. In addition, both the ERAD and the CISG can be used for regenerative braking, recovering kinetic energy to recharge the vehicle’s special battery pack. This energy would otherwise be lost – generally dissipated as unwanted heat.
Located in the boot space – and taking up no more room than a conventional spare wheel and tyre – an advanced Lithium ion battery pack stores both the electrical energy needed to power the CISG for starting and the energy recovered during regenerative braking. Lithium ion (Li ion) batteries are lighter than the nickel metal hydride batteries used in most current production hybrids. Their chemistry also allows them to store more energy and receive a charge more quickly.
Integrated with Terrain Response
The Diesel ERAD Hybrids include a potential next-generation version of Land Rover’s award-winning Terrain Response system, which helps the driver gain maximum advantage from the hybrid technology as well as delivering unsurpassed all-terrain performance. The prototypes have five Terrain Response programmes: Eco; Dynamic; Grass/Gravel/Snow; Mud and Ruts; Sand.
Eco programme
Eco is used for much of the normal driving cycle and it allows the vehicle to select electric or diesel power as conditions demand. It delivers maximum benefit, with no tailpipe emissions, during low-speed ‘creeping’ in urban traffic: the diesel engine is automatically switched off and the ERAD drives the rear wheels. Smooth, seamless acceleration delivers added refinement, while regenerative braking recovers kinetic energy.
Dynamic programme
For steady-speed, open-road motoring using moderate acceleration and medium power, the hybrid uses the diesel engine driving through the front wheels, with the engine mapping optimised for maximum fuel economy. The diesel is in its element here, producing its lowest possible levels of CO2. Four-wheel-drive traction is available instantaneously when required.
For overtaking, or where the driver wants maximum performance from the vehicle, the engine and electric drives work together to deliver the best possible power and torque. Maximum regenerative braking energy recovery is available too.
Grass/Gravel/Snow programme
This setting is designed to deliver maximum traction by using minimum torque, avoiding wasted energy from wheelspin. The vehicle is launched in four-wheel drive under electric power only via the ERAD. The diesel engine kicks in only when needed. Using the electric drive in this way allows very fine torque control, maximising traction while minimising CO2 emissions.
Mud and Ruts programme
There are two scenarios in this mode, depending on the driver’s demands. The first is low torque with a four-wheel-drive launch from standstill under electric power only. More power is available at any time from the diesel engine if needed. The second scenario is high power and high torque delivered by the diesel engine with assistance from the electric drives to deliver good slip control and power response when required.
Sand programme
This is the ‘high-power’ off-road setting, appropriate for energy-sapping surfaces such as loose sand. The engine is boosted by the ERAD electric drive, delivering power over and above the capacity of the diesel engine alone.