Range Rover Hybrid prototypes reach India after 15,500 km drive from UK – final destination Mumbai

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What better way to test and prove a car’s reliability then go on a mega road trip spanning 14 countries and a variety of terrain? Land Rover thinks so, and has sent a group of Range Rover Hybrid prototypes (shown at Frankfurt 2013 alongside the Range Rover Sport Hybrid) on a trip to India from UK. It is the final validation test before the model is signed-off for production. Deliveries will commence in 2014.

Recently, the Silk Trail 2013 expedition entered the 14th and final country on the journey from Solihull to Mumbai when it passed through Nepal and reached the town of Mahendranagar on the border with India. At this point, over 15,500 km has been covered, with 1,700 km left on the journey to Mumbai.

Leaving behind high altitudes and the peaks of the Himalayas, the three prototypes were driven on flatter but more hazardous roads, passing paddy fields and rain forests. The heat and humidity, and the density and unpredictability of the traffic, have been increasing. The responsiveness of the engine, and its ability to accelerate strongly, enabled safe overtaking manoeuvres on roads busy with trucks and buses.

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The seventh of the expedition’s eight-week journey started by crossing a deep river ravine on the Friendship Bridge connecting the town of Zhangmu in China with the village of Kodari in Nepal. One-by-one the Range Rover Hybrids were given permission to drive slowly across the bridge with the passengers required to follow them over on foot.

On the other side of the bridge lay a journey to Kathmandu of merely 136 km – but the traffic was so dense, and the roads so severely potholed, that the Range Rover again had to draw on its class leading (590 mm) wheel articulation to ride smoothly over the bumps. Even so, this short distance took three hours – an indication of the challenges that would lie ahead in the next week on Nepal’s busy roads.

The next leg of the journey, from Kathmandu to Pokhara, a town surrounded by three of the ten highest mountains in the world, was a 203 km stretch of road demanding eight hours of unwavering concentration. Every foot of road space was contested by bicycles, tricycles, horse-drawn carts, scooters, motorbikes, cars, mini-buses, buses, trucks, roving cows, slow-moving water buffalo, loose dogs, and fearless pedestrians.

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The Range Rover’s commanding driving position was invaluable, allowing drivers to see further down the road and recognise hazards sooner. The need for regular braking also kept the Hybrid motor’s battery recharged, ensuring that it assisted the 3.0 litre SDV6 diesel engine and further improved fuel economy despite the ever-changing pace of driving.

The three Range Rover Hybrid prototypes were then ready to cross the bridge over the Mahakali River and into India, for the final stretch to the expedition’s destination, the city of Mumbai. More on the Range Rover Hybrid here.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • benzs on Oct 14, 2013 at 12:20 pm

    Very good effort by Range Rover. Car should be tested this way in order to gained feedback before launching. Any issue arise during those long journey trip will be solved n inspect before they sell to consumers. By taking a step ahead, RR show they really concern every single parts for buyer. Good job RR!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
  • Ah Beng on Oct 14, 2013 at 1:37 pm

    More reliable than Suprima S.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 11
  • JustWannaSay on Oct 14, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    In Sarawak here The Spring KCH..Ranger Rover doing roadshow..quite nice to see upclose..=)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • farizY on Oct 14, 2013 at 4:42 pm

    EPIC DRIVE!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • heybadigol on Oct 14, 2013 at 6:17 pm

    Was half expecting to see Jeremy Clarkson, James May & Richard Hammond behind the Rangies :) But nope, its not the Top Gear crew filming.

    Neways, good to see a Range Rover being used for its ultimate purpose, rather than driving through concrete jungle.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • west end boys on Oct 15, 2013 at 3:14 am

    why dont p1 and p2 start doing this kind of test ,instead of going to genting’s casino

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • Those Ranger Rover drivers better stay in their cars…. if get out, sure kena rogol. LOL

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
 

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