The next-generation Evoque and Discovery Sport model will reportedly use a new EV-focused platform that’s currently under development from Land Rover. The new Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) is designed to accommodate not only heavily electrified powertrains but also a suite of cutting-edge driver-assistance systems and cloud connectivity.
The new EMA platform is also expected to
address Jaguar Land Rover’s quality issues thanks to its simpler design. The
first model to use the EMA is going to be the next Evoque, which is due in
2024, followed by the third-generation Discovery Sport. Production of the new
EMA-based models will take place at JLR’s Halewood factory.
According to Autocar, the new EMA underpinnings
will be able to use an electrified powertrain with a petrol engine acting as a
range-extender unit or house a big battery pack within its floor for a pure EV.
JLR estimates that the new EMA-based models will account for half of their
global sales by 2030. In addition, the British carmaker is planning to add two
new models into the new Defender family. While there are no official details
about them just yet, the report suggests that one of them will be a pure EV but
none of the two will use the D7x platform of the existing Defender. This could
mean that the new Defender models could also use the new EMA platform.
Jaguar Land Rover is planning to swap all
of its models onto two platforms: the aforementioned EMA and the Modular
Longitudinal Architecture (MLA). The MLA platform is the one that will arrive
first in the market, underpinning models like the 2022 Range Rover flagship SUV
and the Range Rover Sport. Jaguar also planned to use the MLA platform for the
all-electric XJ but that model was axed earlier this year.
