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Multifunctional Removable Touch screen
Like early Land Rover
models, the DC100 concepts have a centrally positioned instrument cluster
mounted above the gearlever. Combining the informatics functions of an
instrument panel with an intuitive touch screen interface, the unit is backed by
powerful telematics technology that co-ordinates the groundbreaking technologies
to be found in these concepts.
All of the concepts' functions can be
controlled via this interface, using a combination of swipe and press gestures
on the touch screen. The steering wheel includes four shortcut keys that
reconfigure the touch screen to control functions such as navigation, audio and
climate.
The control unit is removable from the dashboard to extend its
functionality. Finished in shock and water-resistant silicon and equipped with
its own power source, camera, and satellite connectivity, this allows it to be
used as a portable navigation tool with an internal hard drive that can record
waypoints, HD video footage and stills images.
Powerful and Efficient
Powertrains
Both concepts are powered by 2.0-liter four-cylinder
engines. The go-anywhere DC100 is diesel-powered for maximum mud-bogging torque
while the more performance-oriented DC100 Sport is gasoline-powered for a
sportier drive. Both engines are capable of being configured as parallel or
plug-in hybrids.
Drivetrain
Land Rover is actively
researching the next generation of powertrains appropriate to the extreme uses
and environmental challenges to which its vehicles are put. In association with
research centers, suppliers, and universities, the company is looking at a wide
range of options to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Intelligent Engine Start/Stop
The two concepts are fitted with an
eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with Intelligent Start/Stop. Designed
with future hybridization in mind, the gearbox utilizes a Twin Solenoid Starter
system that offers considerable benefits over more conventional Start/Stop
technologies such as the ability to restart the engine during its shutdown
phase. The addition of a transfer case offers a wide spread of ratios, while
steering wheel-mounted gear selection paddles afford manual gear control both on
and off-road.
Premium Performance
Taking its cue from
technical sportswear, DC100 uses the latest generation of performance materials
to create an interior of premium quality that is adaptable and hardwearing. The
beam running the width of the cabin, door panels and seat bolsters are trimmed
in Obsidian Grey and Carbon Black Ultrafabrics, a technical cloth found on
designer furniture and super yachts. Ultrafabrics is not only antimicrobial,
water-repellent, breathable and resistant to solar aging, it is also PVC-free,
low in volatile organic compounds and lightweight.
Complementing this is
SuperFabric, an almost indestructible textile with a premium feel. Normally
found in protective clothing for extreme environments - including spacesuits -
DC100 uses it on the seat cushions and to line the footwells and rear load
space.
Aluminum is also used extensively in the vehicles. Trim material
- such as the drains in the fully washable rear load bed - are made of recycled
metal.
Traditional Toughness
DC100 Sport achieves the same
singularity of purpose with a mixture of modern and traditional materials. The
seats are trimmed in the original protective material; leather, with a
lightweight, breathable mesh insert in a bold "Tribal Tech" pattern. The leather
is sourced from Bridge of Weir, a Scottish company with impeccable environmental
credentials. The hide is covered with a 3D-textured mesh that alternately
reveals and hides the Tribal Tech pattern.
The Tribal Tech pattern is
repeated on the floor of DC100 Sport where floor mats are made of Ombrae, a
sculptural medium used in art installations and modern architecture. This
dynamic 3D material changes its appearance through the use of light and shadow,
depending on the viewing angle. The same design is also echoed in the
hand-patterned Pirelli tires.
Technology and Capability
These two concepts showcase the next generation of technologies that will extend
Land Rover's reputation for legendary all-terrain prowess and 365 day-a-year
usability.
As with any Land Rover, both DC100 designs have towing and
load-carrying capabilities that exceed expectations but use two different and
well-proven Land Rover suspension systems specifically tailored to their
distinct performance parameters.
DC100 uses an air suspension system
that allows ride height to be altered by up to 12.6 inches for extreme approach
and departure angles, axle articulation and ground clearance. The performance
suspension in the DC100 Sport uses the third-generation MagneRide adjustable
suspension for sporting on-road handling with all-terrain capability.
Terrain Response
New off-road technologies will extend the
capabilities of the Land Rover Terrain Response system. These new technologies
allow the system to automatically optimize the vehicle for any environment
without driver selection. This system analyzes data from sensors that assess
suspension travel, steering angle, wheel slip and braking and acceleration
inputs. The vehicle will react continuously and unobtrusively by altering
spring, damper, gearing and power delivery parameters.
The Terrain
Response on the DC100 concepts also features High-Definition cameras mounted on
the front to analyze the ground ahead. This is then compared to images stored
within a predictive neural network and allows the system to determine visually,
for example, the difference between sand, grass, mud, gravel, snow and asphalt.
The system will use this data to alter the off-road performance parameters.
Intelligent Terrain Mapping
Acting as an early-warning system
is the state-of-the-art Terrain-i mapper that creates a virtual 3D visualization
of the ground ahead, displayed on the central touch screen. Similar to systems
used by fighter pilots, Terrain-i uses a headlamp-mounted scanner that runs
complex algorithms to assess the route ahead and warn the driver of obstacles
potentially too large to be safely negotiated.
Terrain-i will suggest
alternatives, displaying a safer route on the screen. Cameras mounted on each
corner also give the driver a 360-degree field of vision.
Terrain-i also
plays a vital support role in crowded urban environments where the scanner
system can identify pedestrians and obstacles. This can initially warn the
driver and then attempt to stop the vehicle if action is not taken.
Wade Aid
Land Rover has developed a sonar-based system for assessing
water depth that allows the driver to make informed decisions as to whether to
proceed into flooded areas.
The system utilizes sensors mounted in the
bumpers and side mirrors. These are able to measure depth and by working in
conjunction with inclinometers recognize whether the level is increasing or
decreasing. This information is displayed on the central touch screen.
The system will also automatically optimize the concept for water crossing by
raising the ride height, closing body vents, selecting a lower gear to maintain
engine revs and advising on the optimum speed for the depth of water, allowing a
maximum wading depth of 29.5 inches.
Spiked Tires
Further
allowing the concepts to adjust to changing conditions is a driver-deployable
spiked tire system. This is operated by an electro-mechanical system mounted
within the tire; activation of the technology permits air to inflate a secondary
air chamber, filling pods moulded into the tread of the tire and which contain
the spikes. The spikes rise just above the tread surface and fix into place for
driving on packed snow and ice. When conditions have eased, the spikes can be
retracted, obviating the need to carry two sets of tires or snow chains.
Telematics
Underpinning these systems is a telematics program
that seamlessly integrates many vehicle functions and presents information to
the driver in the clearest, most straightforward manner. The telematics systems
allow communication between the vehicle and a smartphone or laptop, allowing the
owner to check everything from the tire pressure to the cabin temperature and
operate the climate control remotely.
In addition, the telematics system
can store data from every one of the vehicle's journeys and download them for
comparison. For example, information from the Wade Aid system could chart
changes in water depth, or data from the traction control could be used to
assess the rate of terrain erosion.
The system also has full on-the-move
connectivity via 3G and satellite and can deliver not just traffic alerts but
also weather warnings for remoter areas.
Adventure Key
Land
Rover prides itself on offering solutions to everyday as well as extraordinary
situations. Having a key to carry can hamper athletic activities. Using RFID
technology, the key can be embedded into impact or water resistant objects such
as watches and wristbands. These allow the main key fob to be left in a slot in
the glove box, which deactivates it and transfers its security functions to the
rugged item containing the RFID chip. Once the vehicle is secured, only that
specific RFID smart tag will allow access.
Future developments of the
system will allow each family member their own smart tag, which would save their
personal audio, climate, communication, and seating settings. This would also
allow parents to restrict vehicle power and speed when their children use it.
Third-generation smart tags could also include biometric data that could use
facial recognition systems to increase security.
Park Assist
A Park Assist system, can parallel park the vehicles with minimal inputs
from the driver. Sensors scan the side of the road to select a suitably sized
space. If the driver confirms the selection, the DC100 Sport can then reverse
into the space, performing all the steering functions automatically while the
driver retains control over the brakes and accelerator.
Torque
Vectoring
A new electronic torque vectoring system maximizes the
stability, traction and handling on any surface. As opposed to purely mechanical
differentials, electronic torque vectoring can channel specific amounts of power
to each individual wheel. For on-road driving, this allows a sportier and safer
drive, with the torque vectoring acting to enhance vehicle performance and
stability. During off-road driving, torque vectoring confers even greater
benefits, being able to infinitely and instantaneously send torque to whichever
combination of the four wheels has the most grip.
Driveline Disconnect
Driveline Disconnect can reduce frictional losses by disconnecting the rear
axle unless conditions dictate that four-wheel drive is required. Unlike
conventional switchable four-wheel drive, which reroutes engine power
electronically, the Land Rover system physically decouples the rear propshaft
from the center differential for greater efficiency benefits. The system can
swiftly recouple and send drive to the rear wheels when it detects a loss of
traction.
Land Rover Defender DC100 Sport Concept: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications