Land Rover develops prototype hydrogen-powered Defender

Jaguar Land Rover sees the hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FECEV) as complementary to battery electric vehicles (BEV) and is currently developing a prototype Defenderwith testing scheduled to begin this year. 

The FCEV concept is part of Jaguar Land Rover’s aim to achieve zero tailpipe emissions by 2036, and net zero carbon emissions across its supply chain, products and operations by 2039, in line with the Reimagine strategy announced in February.  

FCEVs, which generate electricity from hydrogen to power an electric motor, are complimentary to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) on the journey to net zero vehicle emissions. Hydrogen-powered FCEVs provide high energy density and rapid refuelling, and minimal loss of range in low temperatures, making the technology ideal for larger, longer-range vehicles, or those operated in hot or cold environments. 

Since 2018, the global number of FCEVs on the road has nearly doubled while hydrogen refuelling stations have increased by more than 20%. By 2030, forecasts predict hydrogen-powered FCEV deployment could top 10 million with 10,000 refuelling stations worldwide. 

Jaguar Land Rover’s advanced engineering project, known as Project Zeus, is part funded by the government-backed Advanced Propulsion Centre, and will allow engineers to understand how a hydrogen powertrain can be optimised to deliver the performance and capability expected by its customers: from range to refuelling, and towing to off-road ability.  

The zero tailpipe emission prototype New Defender FCEV will begin testing towards the end of 2021 in the UK to verify key attributes such as off-road capability and fuel consumption. 

To deliver Project Zeus, Jaguar Land Rover has teamed up with world class R&D partners, including Delta Motorsport, AVL, Marelli Automotive Systems and the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) to research, develop and create the prototype FCEV. 

Ralph Clague, Head of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells for Jaguar Land Rover, says: “We know hydrogen has a role to play in the future powertrain mix across the whole transport industry, and alongside battery electric vehicles, it offers another zero tailpipe emission solution for the specific capabilities and requirements of Jaguar Land Rover’s world class line-up of vehicles. The work done alongside our partners in Project Zeus will help us on our journey to become a net zero carbon business by 2039, as we prepare for the next generation of zero tailpipe emissions vehicles.”

Short wheelbase Defender 90 joins the ranks 

With 16 variants to choose from, off road travellers will have no problems in finding the Land Rover Defender 90 that best suits their requirements. 

The short wheelbase Defender 90 launches locally with the base Defender S, X-Dynamic, First Edition and top-of-the-range Defender X models, each sold with a choice of four engine options. 

As an entry point to the range, the Defender S features standard equipment including LED headlights with auto high beam assist, keyless entry, Ebony grained leather with woven textile seat facings, Pivi Pro 10-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and an interactive driver display among others. 

Driver assistance features include items such as Terrain Response, 3D surround cameras, emergency braking, lane keep assist, 360-degree parking aid, wade sensing and a driver condition monitor. 

The X-Dynamic model bridges the gap between Defender and Defender X with a tough exterior look and unique interior fittings to set it apart from the rest of the line up. 

It features gloss painted Narvik Black exterior door and wheel arch cladding with Silicon Satin skid pans and the Defender X-Dynamic is available with a choice of SE and HSE Specification Packs. 

On the range-topping X derivative, the gloss black inset contrast hood is standard along with Gloss Black claddings. To give further differentiation between the X and Core vehicles, the front and rear skid pans and other detailed exterior parts are coated in a Starlight Satin finish while brake calipers are painted orange, the dashboard cross beam is a dark grey powder coat brushed finish and door sill treadplates are illuminated with Defender script. 

The X also sees air suspension is fitted as standard along with an electronic active rear differential, configurable Terrain Response 2, a sliding panoramic roof, Matrix LED headlights, 14-way heated and cooled front seats, ClearSight interior rear view mirror and a head-up display among others. 

The Defender First Edition, available for one year from launch, is available in Pangea Green, Gondwana Stone or Hakuba Silver, with a folding fabric sunroof incorporated in the contrast white roof. Standard fare includes air suspension, 12-way heated seats, an electrically adjustable steering column ClearSight rear view mirror and 20-inch alloys. 

Customers can personalise their Defender 90 with four Accessory Packs. The Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban Packs each give Defender a distinct character with a specially selected range of enhancements. 

The Explorer Pack includes a raised air intake, a lightweight Expedition roof rack to carry up to 132 kg, a 24-litre exterior side-mounted gear carrier, matte black bonnet decal, and wheel arch protection to help conquer the most uncharted African landscapes. 

The Adventure Pack consists of a portable rinse system for hosing off boots, bikes and wetsuits, a 20-litre Seat Backpack, bright rear scuff plate, front and rear mud flaps, a spare wheel cover, an integrated air compressor ideal for inflating tyres or air mattresses, and the same side-mounted Gear Carrier. 

A Country Pack equips the Defender with front and rear Classic mud flaps, a full height load space partition to prevent items in the rear load space from entering the cabin, wheel arch protection, a bright rear scuff plate and the portable rinse system. 

Finally, the Urban Pack comprises bright metal pedals, a bright rear scuff plate, a spare wheel cover, and front undershield protection to make the Defender stand out with style in the concrete jungle. 

The four engine options comprise two diesels and two petrol. A 2,0-litre D240 turbo-diesel produces 177 kW and 430 Nm, enabling 0-100 km/h in 9 seconds with a top speed of 188 km/h, while a 2,0-litre P300 turbo-petrol with 221 kW and 400 Nm achieves 0-100 km/h in 7,1 seconds and a maximum speed of 191 km/h. 

The more powerful 3,0-litre straight six-cylinder options include a P400 petrol featuring efficient Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology with outputs of 294 kW and 550 Nm, and a D300 diesel with 221 kW and 650 Nm. These two models accelerate from 0-100 in 6 and 6,7 seconds respectively, with top speeds of 191 km/h for both.

 

Defender 90 Pricing:

Defender 90  D240 S                                         R1,095,600

Defender 90 D300 S                                          R1,186,800

Defender 90 P300 S                                          R1,095,600

Defender 90 P400 S                                          R1,214,200

Defender 90  D240 X-Dynamic SE                     R1,215,500

Defender 90 D300 X-Dynamic SE                       R1,297,000

Defender 90 P300 X-Dynamic SE                       R1,215,500

Defender 90 P400 X-Dynamic SE                       R1,338,600

Defender 90  D240 X-Dynamic HSE                   R1,284,400

Defender 90 D300 X-Dynamic HSE                    R1,365,900

Defender 90 P300 X-Dynamic HSE                    R1,284,400

Defender 90 P400 X-Dynamic HSE                    R1,407,500

Defender 90 D240 First Edition                           R1,223,800

Defender 90 P400 First Edition                           R1,341,700

Defender 90 D300 X                                          R1,542,100

Defender 90 P400 X                                          R1,575,000

·                  Including VAT, excluding CO2