I'm sure I read a while back that LR were keenly developing a brilliant diesel electric hybrid engine for the Freelander 3 (as well as the concept car, aka the Evoque). The engine would be a quantum leap in fuel efficiency, power, torque, low emissions etc. I think the projected launch date was 2011. I haven't heard anything for ages about how this little beauty is coming on ....... have any of you?

I'm concerned that the project may have been kicked into the long grass; or proved too expensive or challenging to complete right now, when LR sales are booming anyway. If so, that would be a great shame! Life is not a dress rehearsal!

When I enquired about the new Evoque back in June, in particular the diesel/electric hybrid, I was told it would not be released until 2013 at the earliest.

Know for certain that prototypes exist at Gaydon using a 3 cylinder VW diesel engine and generator, but as per a previous topic on here it may be kicked into the "long grass" but only because work is proceeding with a gas turbine set up ala the Jaguar XF turbine car (see Auto Express Article) last month sometime.
Got to be the way to go as the turbine is only the size of a large vacuum flask.

Bill Turner. Life Honorary Member of Wallasey Motor Club.
Licenced MSA Radio Operator for 35+ years.
Rallying is the only sport.

Think your sources might not be accurate Bill. Jag Jet car is a concept and I've heard that hybrid programme is advanced with traditional IC engine.

Will make further enquiries in the new year.

Bill T. Life Honorary Member of Wallasey Motor Club.
Licenced MSA Radio Operator for 35+ years.
Rallying is the only sport.

A bit of enquiring down a my local dealers today revealed the diesel/electric hybrid evoque is dead in the water.

They have managed to reach the required emissions with the new 2 wheel drive setup and are proceeding with the release of a diesel evoque 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive from next September, followed by the petrol version in 2012. Prices start at £30000 to £48000 with a level of refinement on the top spec' exceeding that of the Range Rovers.

Also mentioned the FL2 will stay as it is "barring another face-lift" until 2015

In the media it looks like JLR have two systems on the go.

1. In the more immediate future is the limo green range extender 3-cyl petrol (http://www.greenmotor.co.uk/2010/11/on-roa...green.html)
2. The turbine-based CX-75 looks w-a-y off.

Sure I read somewhere that LR won an innovation award for their working prototype diesel electric hybrid (v6) for production by 2013. Wondering when FL2s might get a look-in on this exciting technology and massive improvement in mpg and low CO2 emissions?!?

Anyone got any updates or good speculation on this?  Life is not a dress rehearsal!

Nick Jan wrote:

Sure I read somewhere that LR won an innovation award for their working prototype diesel electric hybrid (v6) for production by 2013. Wondering when FL2s might get a look-in on this exciting technology and massive improvement in mpg and low CO2 emissions?!?

Anyone got any updates or good speculation on this?

Hang on.. Is an electric car going to be powerful enough to tow ? usually the petrol motor does not kick in till 30mph.. making caravans even slower lol

Lexus hybrid will haves it petrol engine kick in when ever required and has loads of torque for pulling caravan and such like Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Electric motors have high torque and all from 0mph upwards, there's no torque band as such in an electric motor. Plus electric motors operate in low speed mode such as town driving so the 'oomph' is available from start.

electric motors are the ideal solution for vehicles, no clutch or gearbox required (or maybe a simple 2 speed gearbox?)

however todays batteries are far from ideal, and the whole hybrid idea is a bit of a bodge really, yes it can recover lots of braking energy for reuse but the whole conversion of engine power to battery power to wheel motion cant possibly be efficient. never mind all the resources used to construct them

plug in hybrids allowing home charging and short trips without the engine starting at all are starting to make sense, but way from the perfect solution. At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

This from last March: http://www.landrover.com/gl/en/lr/about-la...w/2316326/

Oh yeah, I forgot about the plug-in aspect involved. Here's the link to the award I read about:-

http://newsroom.jaguarlandrover.com/en-in/...ion_award/ Life is not a dress rehearsal!