There are a number of compact transmissions on the electric car market at the moment. Some of them stand out from the rest – we are talking about models that can cope with more difficult road conditions. For those who like to spend time in nature, measuring long distances on off-road adventures, there is currently little choice in the electric car segment. The models that suit their preferences can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Why and what do the manufacturers offer?
Abilities are great
Today, all-wheel drive is greatly reduced and less common in electric cars. Although the design of the electric drive technically allows for a more efficient transfer of traction to the wheel axles and the installation of its own electric motor on each, this option is rarely used by any manufacturer . First, it affects the price of the final product, which in most cases is already higher than for internal combustion cars. Second, an electric car is already heavier, and four-wheel drive is often equipped with a larger battery. This will make the car even heavier.
“Off-road enthusiasts usually choose their cars very conservatively. For those who want to be friends with the latest technology, the choice is not good. Admittedly, there are not many buyers in this sector, but there are always manufacturers too. thinking about how to expand their customer base, including towards the most demanding customers,” says Profi Latvija editor-in-chief and Latvian Car of the Year jury member Guntars Puls .
Electric cars are theoretically safer when crossing the bridge because they are less damaged by water than internal combustion cars. The most important components – electric motor, battery and other high voltage devices – are safely isolated from the outside environment.
“If we look at the theory, a fully calibrated all-wheel drive in an electric car can work well, but the calibration process is much more complicated if the electric drive has to adapt to different surfaces. all-wheel drive, everything is simpler,” says Guntars.
Two instructions
Let’s look at two examples of such off-road electric vehicles, which can also handle difficult places. So – the companies KGM and Subaru. KGM launched the e-Motion version of the Korando last year, which was previously offered with an internal combustion engine, while the Subaru compact SUV segment is represented by the Solterra.
The South Korean luxury car company KGM was formerly known as SsangYong. However, the manufacturer changed the brand after it was bought by the industrial giant KG Group in 2022. Although the brand is known in the industry for classic SUVs such as the Rexton and the Musso pickup, the Koreans, looking for a golden middle ground, have also entered the electric car sector with the powerful Korando e-Motion.
This crossover is equipped with a 207 hp electric motor that immediately delivers 339 Nm of torque to the front axle. To encourage the motorist to go further away from civilization, the SUV has received several off-road advantages: approach and departure angles suitable for difficult conditions, which are close to 20 and 25 degrees, respectively , the ability to overcome deep puddles up to 30 cm and a trunk of 551 liters, which is worthy of its class. Such capacity will not only encourage you to go to camping events and other activities in nature, but it will also allow you to carry more things with you than competitors such as the Volkswagen ID.4 (543 liters ).
In the Solterra model, the traditional elements of the Japanese brand ensure a better transition: symmetrical wheel drive and ground clearance that reaches 21 cm. True, the trunk is much smaller than the Korean model – 452 liters.
Another big difference is also apparent. Manufacturers provide a standard five-year warranty for Subaru electric cars. On the other hand, KGM provides its Korando e-Motion warranty up to 7 years or 150,000 km of mileage. This is the rare electric car that has a battery warranty period (8 years or 160,000 km) almost at the same time as the warranty period of the whole car.
Prices are also different
e-Motion has a 61.5 kWh battery, which allows you to drive up to 340 km with a full charge. In Latvia, this is enough to go to a country house on the weekend and return home without any special worries. If you need charging, e-Motion is compatible with DC stations with a capacity of up to 100 kW, which allows you to increase the reserve from 0 to 80% in just 33 minutes. A 7 kW AC charger installed at home will fill an empty battery in 11 hours.
Subaru Solterra has a 71.4 kWh battery built into the floor, which can accommodate up to 150 kW charging power, but can be filled up to 80 percent in the same time as KGM – in 30 minutes. The manufacturer claims that the Solterra has a range of 460 km on a full charge.
The richer package of this model includes extras such as 20-inch alloy wheels, heated and leather rear seats, a wide glass roof and 360-degree surround view cameras. In contrast, the more luxurious Korando e-Motion specification is available with electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats with leather trim, wireless mobile phone charger, heat pump, electric boot lid and more.
The prices of these models are also different. Solterra is available in Latvia from 52,900 euros, and Korando e-Motion – from 35,990 euros.
“In Latvia, cars from the SUV segment have become common. Most people drive them on asphalt, but there is also the possibility to overcome simpler off-road. If you want to go on adventures in extremely difficult terrain, you will also have something. to choose.
2024-05-04 08:30:23
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