JLR to use Chery platform for future electric cars
JLR, owned by Indian Tata Motors, will use two of Chery’s modular architectures. The first one is called M3X and is dedicated to combustion engine and plug-in hybrid models. For the latter, the platform combines a “petrol-powered ICE paired with two electric motors via a 3DHT165 gearbox,” Car News China explains. This so-called “Super Hybrid” offers nine operating modes, 11 gear combinations, a range of more than 1,000 kilometres, and a thermal efficiency of 44.5 per cent.
The second platform, E0X, was jointly developed by Chery and Huawei. It covers the A to C segment with various body shapes, and can be used for purely battery-electric and Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs). The E0X platform supports 800 and 400-volt system architectures, offers advanced autonomous driving technology and an energy consumption of 12 kWh/100 km.
For example, cars like the Exeed Exlantix ES and the Exeed Sterra ES are based on this platform. Earlier this year, Chery explained what the abbreviation of the platform stands for: the ‘E’ in E0X is supposed to stand for “Electric” and “represents Chery’s commitment to expand in the new energy sector and the determination to continuously develop and innovate.” According to the company, the ‘0’ stands for a new technical beginning, for the start of a journey in the high-end NEV sector to develop sustainable and green solutions. The ‘X’ is intended to symbolise “the infinite expansion possibilities of the platform,” which covers the A to C segment of SD/SUV/MPV models with five-, six- and seven-seater variants.
The use of these platforms could help JLR to launch more electric vehicles. However, the majority will likely be PHEVs, as the carmaker said in February that it would focus on plug-in hybrids instead of pure EVs. Initially, the goal was to launch six fully electric Land Rover models by 2026. Now, that brand name is no longer used and the British carmaker plans to only launch four EVs – and the above-mentioned PHEVs.
At least two of the four battery-electric models are based on JLR’s MLA platform, which supports combustion engines, hybrids and battery-electric drives. Specifically the Range Rover Electric SUV and the electric Range Rover Sport. Technical data for a BEV model based on this platform is not yet known.
