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Conquering the Silk Trail

Conquering the Silk Trail: New hybrid Range Rovers tackle stunning 10,500-mile route across Asia�

  • The new hybrid 4x4s took 53 days to travel from England to India on the 10,472-mile journey 
  • Drivers faced high altitudes and dangerous road conditions along the journey which traverses 13 countries 
  • The diesel-engine system weighs less than 120kg and can reach up to 44mpg 
  • The new models were unveiled in August and will be released to British markets next year
PUBLISHED: 15:18 GMT, 14 October 2013 | UPDATED: 22:54 GMT, 14 October 2013

A team of Range Rover drivers has completed the first ever hybrid expedition across the 'Silk Trail' - covering a staggering 10,500 miles from England to India. 
Land Rover wanted to come up with a gruelling way of testing out its new eco-friendly prototype, so set drivers the challenge of completing the epic trip from Solihull in the Midlands to Mumbai. 
The trail saw the cars traversing 13 countries along the way, encountering miles of mud and gravel tracks on the route which was designed to connect Asia to Europe for trading over 2,000 years ago. 
The new Range Rover Hybrid prototypes take on the 10,500-mile journey from England to India, travelling through 13 different countries along the way
The new Range Rover Hybrid prototypes take on the 10,500-mile journey from England to India, travelling through 13 different countries along the way
The team of three Range Rover hybrids and four support cars travelled through 13 countries on the route which was designed to connect Asia to Europe for trading over 2,000 years ago
The team of three Range Rover hybrids and four support cars travelled through 13 countries on the route which was designed to connect Asia to Europe for trading over 2,000 years ago
The team took 53 days to complete the journey which saw them encounter temperatures of up to 43C and dangerously high altitudes
The team took 53 days to complete the journey which saw them encounter temperatures of up to 43C and dangerously high altitudes
Cattle grids, river passings and mountain-edge trails were some of the challenges drivers faced throughout the trip which took 53 days to complete. 
The convoy of three Range Rovers and four support cars, drove through Europe before travelling through Russia, Kazakhstan,Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Nepal and finally India.
For seven consecutive days, the team drove at altitudes between 11,000 and 17,648 feet - a location where air is reduced significantly - making it more difficult for humans and combustion engines.
But the Range Rover prototypes, which have a 3-litre diesel engine as well as an electric motor, battled through the difficult conditions and averaged around 37mpg.
The new hybrid powertrain features three driver-selectable modes and combines Land Rover¿s 3-litre SDV6 diesel engine with a 35kW electric motor
The new hybrid powertrain features three driver-selectable modes and combines Land Rover¿s 3-litre SDV6 diesel engine with a 35kW electric motor
The hybrid coped well with mud and gravel trails thrown its way as well as other conditions which were deemed 'impassable' for other cars
The hybrid coped well with mud and gravel trails thrown its way as well as other conditions which were deemed 'impassable' for other cars
For seven consecutive days, the team drove at altitudes between 11,000 and 17,648 feet - a location where air is reduced significantly - making it more difficult for humans and combustion engines
For seven consecutive days, the team drove at altitudes between 11,000 and 17,648 feet - a location where air is reduced significantly - making it more difficult for humans and combustion engines
In electric mode, the hybrid off-roader can travel at speeds of up to 30mph for one mile before the diesel engine kicks in
In electric mode, the hybrid off-roader can travel at speeds of up to 30mph for one mile before the diesel engine kicks in
A total of 15 punctures were suffered en route while four wheels were damaged by deep potholes, and four windscreens cracked by stones thrown-up on loose surfaces.
The hybrid powertrain features three driver-selectable modes and combines Land Rover’s 3-litre SDV6 diesel engine with a 35kW electric motor integrated with the 8-speed ZF automatic transmission.
Emissions are slashed by 26 per cent and the hybrids are capable of around 44mpg, with the hybrid system weighing less than 120kg.
In electric mode, the hybrid off-roader can travel at speeds of up to 30mph for one mile before the diesel engine kicks in.
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The hybrid model, which will be on British roads next year, was unveiled in August as the car giant looks to increase sales which continue to impress.
Jaguar Land Rover announced last week it had its best ever September performance, selling 43,181 vehicles - up 17 per cent.
In 2012, Jaguar Land Rover sold 357,773 vehicles, up 30 per cent. Of that, Jaguar sold 53,847 vehicles and Land Rover sold 303,926 vehicles.
In the 12 months to 31 March 2013, Jaguar Land Rover generated profit before tax of £1.675 billion with revenues of £15.8 billion.
Jaguar Land Rover announced last week it had its best ever September performance, selling 43,181 vehicles - up 17 per cent
Jaguar Land Rover announced last week it had its best ever September performance, selling 43,181 vehicles - up 17 per cent
A total of 15 punctures were suffered en route while four wheels were damaged by deep potholes, and four windscreens cracked by stones thrown-up on loose surfaces
A total of 15 punctures were suffered en route while four wheels were damaged by deep potholes, and four windscreens cracked by stones thrown-up on loose surfaces
Peter Richings, JLR Hybrids and Electrification Director described the expedition as 'remarkable' as the prototypes took 'all conditions in their stride'
Peter Richings, JLR Hybrids and Electrification Director described the expedition as 'remarkable' as the prototypes took 'all conditions in their stride'
The Range Rover prototypes, which have a 3-litre diesel engine as well as an electric motor, battled through the difficult conditions and averaged around 37mpg
The Range Rover prototypes, which have a 3-litre diesel engine as well as an electric motor, battled through the difficult conditions and averaged around 37mpg
The epic journey took drivers from the Midlands, through Europe, Russia, China and India among other countries on its mammoth route
The epic journey took drivers from the Midlands, through Europe, Russia, China and India among other countries on its mammoth route
The team of Range Rover drivers are the first to complete a hybrid expedition across the 'Silk Trail' to Mumbai
The team of Range Rover drivers are the first to complete a hybrid expedition across the 'Silk Trail' to Mumbai
Wet-city streets in China and jaw-dropping mountain-edge trails were some of the terrain drivers faced along the 10, 472-mile journey
Wet-city streets in China and jaw-dropping mountain-edge trails were some of the terrain drivers faced along the 10, 472-mile journey
Wet-city streets in China and jaw-dropping mountain-edge trails were some of the terrain drivers faced along the 10, 472-mile journey from England to India 
Peter Richings, JLR Hybrids and Electrification Director, said: 'The world’s first diesel hybrid expedition along the Silk Trail pioneered an ambitious route across Europe and Asia that would have been impassable to most other types of vehicle - but no matter how hostile the conditions, the Range Rover Hybrid prototypes took it all in their stride.
'In developing the hybrid-powered Range Rover, our objective was to gain hybrid’s fuel economy and carbon emissions advantages without compromising the Range Rover’s go-anywhere capabilities, its cabin space or its refinement.
'The success of this remarkable expedition clearly demonstrates we have achieved that.'
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