Land Rover Jaguar is set to build the next-generation Evoque and Discovery Sport crossovers on an all-new Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) electric platform. The cars will be released in 2024, writes the British magazine Autocar.
The current Evoque and Discovery Sport use the PTA architecture that first appeared on the Jaguar E-Pace in 2017. It provides for a transverse internal combustion engine and a front- or all-wheel drive layout.
The EMA project is part of a £10bn investment program that will run until 2026. The new platform is extremely important for future JLR models. The manufacturer estimates that EMA-powered vehicles will account for half of the company's sales by 2030.
Based on EMA, it is possible to build electric vehicles or series-type hybrids, where the internal combustion engine is used only to charge the batteries. At a briefing for investors, JLR said that one compact gasoline engine is being developed, diesel engines are completely excluded from the line.
For each axle, it is supposed to use a separate electric motor, which will make it possible to abandon the traditional transmission with a center differential and a cardan shaft. In addition to simplicity, this arrangement is also advantageous in terms of off-road capabilities, as it allows more efficient distribution of torque to each wheel.
Together with EMA, JLR engineers are developing another platform - MLA. It will be released even earlier: already in 2022, a full-size Range Rover SUV will be built on it, and then the Range Rover Sport will also be released. MLA is better adapted for large and expensive models. JLR's broader plans include the launch of the new Velar 2 and Discovery 6, based on the upcoming MLA platform.
Given the huge costs of developing the architecture, the new Discovery Sport and Evoque will receive a higher initial price. They are expected to cost a minimum of £40,000 in the UK. Today Discovery Sport can be bought from £32,430, Evoque - £32,115.
Land Rover will move the new Evoque and Discovery Sport to an electric platform
