JLR's strategy to be a leader in sustainable luxury vehicles

There is no turning back on the path towards the electrification of the European market.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
20 July 2023 Thursday 10:27
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JLR's strategy to be a leader in sustainable luxury vehicles

There is no turning back on the path towards the electrification of the European market. It is drawn and dated, 2035, for the completion of the manufacture of combustion engines. The highly laudable objective is total decarbonization and this has required a major technological effort on the part of manufacturers. Manufacturers like JLR, which has been preparing for a highly electrified future for some years now.

Adapting to change to survive includes, in the case of JLR, investments in excess of 17 billion euros over the next five years, to accelerate the transition to electrification and become the world's leading luxury car manufacturer.

In this constant evolution, JLR works on sustainable solutions for different markets. With new modular platforms for fully electric cars, but maintaining attention to all types of hybridization, since the different markets in the world are advancing at different speeds towards emission neutrality.

A sustainability strategy being developed under the Reimagine banner, which aims to reposition JLR as a modern luxury carmaker by 2030. A complex and ambitious goal, but with a social component that goes beyond car manufacturing: JLR seeks to create a new benchmark in environmental, social and community impact for a luxury business.

Central to this Reimagine strategy is the electrification of the Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar brands with clear and distinct personalities. Starting in 2025, Jaguar will experience a renaissance to emerge as a pure electric luxury brand with a new portfolio of emotionally compelling designs and pioneering next-generation technologies so the customer can be true to themselves.

Range Rover will have two 100% electric models in 2024, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, but they will accept orders later this year. As for Discovery and Defender, they will welcome pure electric variants before the year 2030.

True to its roots, Range Rover leads by example with its modernity, extraordinary refinement and performance. 50 years of evolution have served to create a unique, incomparable car, a benchmark. And with the impressive quality of the SV version, an exquisite reinterpretation of British luxury and customization.

Technological contributions such as chassis control with Dynamic Response Pro, which prepares the vehicle for curves using a multitude of parameters, make it the most comfortable and sophisticated SUV in the world. Also noteworthy are the 440 and 510 hp PHEV (plug-in hybrid) versions with an electrical and silent range of up to 113 km. And emissions of less than 18 g/km of CO2 for quiet, refined and efficient use.

In 2024, within the framework of the Reimagine strategy, the legendary Range Rover will have a fully electric version.

The Range Sport is another classic that has been able to adapt to changing times. It redefines sporty luxury by simply combining intuitive and commanding road performance with signature Range Rover refinement, sophisticated and enhanced design and connected comfort.

This third-generation model is the most coveted, advanced and dynamic high-performance vehicle to date.

Powertrains include six-cylinder plug-in hybrid electric models, a powerful new V8 engine, and Ingenium MildHybrid six-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines. As with Range Rover, the all-electric drive option will be available in 2024, marking the next step in the brand's electrification stage.

A true epitome of elegance on wheels and modern luxury, the Velar boasts well-balanced proportions and a minimalist look. The new grille is complemented by the distinctive floating roof, continuous profile and drop-down door handles that define the look of the world's most compelling family of luxury SUVs.

New ultra-slim headlights with pixel LED technology create a technical, jewel-like silhouette and optimize visibility, while the exterior is accentuated with a new lower rear bumper and blacked-out accents. In equipment, the Meridian sound systems have active cancellation of road noise to make the Velar the quietest vehicle in its class.

It is available with different engines to suit the needs of all types of customers, including the P400e plug-in electric hybrid. This interesting PHEV option has an electric range of up to 64 km and the added advantage of fast charging capacity.

Own brand and with an exciting history, the Defender is the all-rounder that turns the impossible into habitual. In its new generation, it combines the traditional hard character to withstand extreme situations with new engines and elegant finishes. A Defender that is once again at the top of a class of cars that are capable of anything. The new version is the reinterpretation of a 20th century icon, a car with a spectacular past.

Steeped in technology, as well as tradition, it offers a fresh, modern image, but with recognizable hallmarks such as minimal front and rear overhangs, angular and square shapes, small alpine roof windows, side-hinged tailgate and the characteristic exterior-hung spare wheel.

As usual, it has multiple configurations and different body options. The 110 (long version, with 4.76 m and 5 doors) has 5, 6 or 5 2-seater variants with a load space behind the second row of 1,075 liters and up to 2,380 when the second row is folded, while the 90 (short wheelbase, 4.32 m and 3 doors) is offered with 6 seats and more functional and resistant commercial versions.

It is available with a wide range of engines with technologies that include plug-in hybrids (PHEV), mild hybrid (MHEV) and also gasoline and diesel. And one of the novelties is the V8 gasoline version, called P525. It is a very unique combination of performance and off-road capability, only available to manufacturers with this background.

The P400e plug-in hybrid engine (PHEV) is new to the Defender. With 400 CV in total, it has a 100% electric autonomy of 43 km. In just 30 minutes, 80% of the battery can be recharged, on a DC fast charger.

One of the Defender's standouts, inherent in its history, is off-road capability. To do this, he improves the already excellent Terrain Response system, which now allows the use of the touch screen to adjust all the available help programs to the driver's liking.