Land Rover has used...

Land Rover has used the British Motor Show to unveil its vision of the future тЂ“ and the eco-friendly technology that will drive it there.

The key component is a diesel hybrid transmission with an Electric Rear Axle Drive (ERAD). It first appeared on the LRX concept, but is now undergoing development testing in a pair of Freelanders.

The idea is to cut CO2 emissions and fuel consumption by a minimum of 20 per cent. However, product development director Phil Hodgkinson admitted: тЂњThereтЂ™s a lot of kit and some of it is very expensive. Research has shown that there is a willingness among people to pay for this technology, but they want something for it. We have to give them a choice to buy it.тЂќ

One of the biggest issues is the packaging. On the prototypes, many of the additional components take up boot space. As Hodgkinson acknowledged: тЂњItтЂ™s one thing to do it as a concept, itтЂ™s another to do it on a production car.тЂќ

Another issue is the electrical integration, because the new technology impacts on almost every aspect of the car. тЂњThis isnтЂ™t something that can transplanted into an existing model at a mid-life facelift. ItтЂ™s for the next generation of Land Rovers, but weтЂ™re not putting a date on that.тЂќ

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