Land Rover Defender EV Coming to 2013 Geneva Show
For this year’s Geneva Motor Show, Land Rover is bringing seven pure-electric Defender research vehicles that will be undergoing “specialist real world trials” later this year.
Though a replacement for the Defender is long overdue, the British automaker will be using the current model as experimental vehicles to test its new electric powertrain. Replacing the standard powerplant in each of the Defenders is a 94-hp electric motor capable of 447 lb-ft of torque installed by the British automaker’s Advanced Engineering Team.
SEE ALSO: 2013 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW PREVIEW
The electric motor will be mated to a 300-volt, lithium-ion battery that has a capacity of 27 kWh, providing a range of more than 50 miles. The 903 lb. battery will be mounted under the hood, boosting the weight to around 220 pounds more than its diesel counterpart.
To keep the Defender’s off-road capability intact, Land Rover has also implemented a modified variant of its terrain response system, along with retaining the standard model’s four-wheel drive system and differential lock.
GALLERY: Land Rover Defender Electric
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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