From see-through trailers to remote-control smartphone apps, Land Rover is no stranger to cutting-edge technology. A recent test of semi-autonomous driving technologies demonstrates one way that Land Rover could change the way we work and play in the future. The Discovery Sport SUV utilized these technologies, in combination with a 177-horsepower Ingenium diesel engine, to pull a 108-ton line of trains.
A smarter way to tow
The Land Rover Discovery Sport is certified with a maximum towing weight of 2.5 tons, but that didn’t stop it from pulling more than 60 times its own weight during the ultimate test in the Rhine region of northern Switzerland. The Discovery Sport was equipped with the latest in Land Rover towing and traction technologies, including:
- Terrain Response®
- Tow Assist
- Tow Hitch Assist
- All-Terrain Progress Control
Together, these technologies form the foundation of a semi-autonomous off-road driving system – one that can automatically manage engine output and braking to make the towing process more convenient and more effective.
The future of performance – available now
Although Land Rover performed a similar feat in 1989 for the launch of the Discovery I, this demonstration was unique in several ways. Unlike some of the other technologies Land Rover has displayed, each of these technologies is available now in the 2016 Discovery Sport. No changes were made to the vehicle drivetrain for the purpose of the test (the only modification was the fitting of stabilizing rear wheels by Aquarius Railroad Technologies).
Unlike the 1989 Discovery tow, the Discovery Sport accomplished the feat without the aid of low-range gears. The vehicle took advantage of its state-of-the-art 9-speed automatic gearbox and Terrain Response technology to generate the needed traction. The All Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) system acted as a sort of “low-speed cruise control,” maximizing the traction at a set speed and giving the driver the freedom to focus on the road ahead.
With this kind of power, the compact Discovery Sport is more than up to the challenges of everyday life. To learn more, visit the 3Birds Template team today.
Image Credit: Land Rover
