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ADX lines up multiple shallow gas targets in Austria

ADX lines up multiple shallow gas targets in Austria

West Australian19-05-2025
ADX Energy has prepped 6 shallow gas plays for drilling and has another 7 almost ready to be drilled in a region of Austria that is remarkably well endowed with infrastructure including nearby gas pipelines.
The prospects in Upper Austria, were identified and developed across a two year period using AI and seismic data analysis conducted by international experts and the company's own local team.
After identifying multiple low risk, shallow targets deemed to be an extension of proven, producing gas plays, management set out to have variations applied to its license area.
The plan is to exploit the range of potentially highly profitable shallow prospects, referred to as its 'Shallow Gas Play' sitting near the pipeline infrastructure, into its ADX-AT-I and ADX-AT-II exploration licence areas. Variations include the relinquishment of certain areas and the addition of new contiguous areas, resulting in the company's total area under licence remaining about the same, at 1022 square kilometres.
Nearby historical discoveries in the area have produced 220 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas to date through a regionally extensive pipeline network.
ADX believes the variations to its licence acreage have upgraded its prospective portfolio at no additional cost.
It plans to drill four shallow prospects on its 100 per cent equity acreage, with a further seven gas prospects being matured towards development. Another two drill ready prospects are 50 per cent owned by ADX.
The company says permitting is underway to drill the first cluster of three prospects by the end of this year.
To identify prospects that compare favourably with historic discoveries, advanced seismic analysis was deployed using a combination of AI, seismic attribute and amplitude variation with offset (AVO) analysis.
AVO is a seismic processing technique used to analyse the amplitude of seismic reflections and how they change with the distance between the shot point and the receiver. AVO analysis can help identify gas-filled reservoirs, distinguish between different rock types and assist in identifying the presence of fluids, such as water, oil or gas in the subsurface.
It company says multiple low cost wells can be drilled in clusters, which will maximise production and minimise development costs utilising shared surface facilities.
ADX has started discussions with potential farm-in partners to participate in its 100 per cent equity held acreage, with the aim to secure funding for the drill program planned for later this year. It will look to use the same partnership structure successfully employed with MND and MCF Energy, to attract financial investors or energy companies to become farm-in partners.
Management has commenced well planning for the upcoming drilling and permitting works.
The 'Shallow Gas Play' was first announced to the market in June 2023 and has been developed over two years using local knowledge combined with the geological interpretation of an international team of stratigraphic trap experts.
Advanced seismic analysis was utilised to identify prospects containing likely gas-filled permeable reservoirs.
Access to an extensive 3D seismic data set across the basin allowed for the seismic responses of new prospects to be compared with historic shallow gas discoveries. One prospect identified and showing a similar response to historic discoveries is the company's GOLD prospect, having a 6.4 bcf gross best case prospective resource.
It is expected to be included in the first cluster of drilling, along with ADX's ZAUN and GRAB prospects. All are within close proximity to public pipelines, resulting in time and cost savings to develop gas resources.
ADX set out with a plan two years ago to produce a portfolio of shallow, minimal risk and potentially profitable gas prospects and if it can now secure the backing of a cashed-up oil and gas player, it will be well placed to unleash the drill rig to test the full extent of its well located resources.
Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact:
matt.birney@wanews.com.au
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Demolition begins at iconic Bali surf spot Bingin Beach: ‘Ruined'
Demolition begins at iconic Bali surf spot Bingin Beach: ‘Ruined'

News.com.au

time15 hours ago

  • News.com.au

Demolition begins at iconic Bali surf spot Bingin Beach: ‘Ruined'

One of Bali's most iconic surf destinations will be changed and transformed forever as Indonesian authorities begin demolishing more than 40 businesses along the famous Bingin Beach. Footage emerging from the cliffside tourist hotspot on Monday morning shows authorities destroying bars with hammers and breaking through locked doors. Earlier footage shows local authorities plastering eviction and demolition notices on buildings in a move that has left Australian travellers scrambling and the global surf community in uproar. Government-mandated demolitions were set to begin today at the beloved beach location, following months of failed negotiations between business owners and the Badung Regency Government. is aware of Australian travellers whose bookings at the popular destination have been voided as the demolition begins. The drastic action follows an investigation by Bali's civil police unit, the Satpol PP, which found that more than 40 buildings in the Bingin Beach area, some of which have been there for decades, were violating spatial planning laws and building regulations. After weeks of back-and-forth negotiations with desperate business owners attempting to halt the demolition orders, authorities have drawn a line in the sand. 'It is true that we have received a warrant for the demolition of the violating building at Bingin Beach,' Head of the Badung PP Police, I Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara, told reporters, as per the Bali Sun. 'We immediately sent a notification letter to the owners of the building in question, stating that the demolition will begin on July 21, 2025, and continue until it is completed.' Uluwatu's Bingin Beach has been a pilgrimage site for surfers since the late 1970s, with Australians making up a significant chunk of repeat visitors, and even expats. The beach's world-class barrelling lefts and laid-back atmosphere have made it a go-to within the global surf community, with the breaks Impossibles and Bingin. The demolition notices, issued via letter, posters, and WhatsApp messages, affect 45 buildings, including villas, homestays, restaurants, and other tourist facilities. The violations included breaches of spatial planning rules, environmental laws, and alleged encroachment on state land. 'We did this notification in various ways, in order to minimise the reason for ignorance during the execution process,' Head of Investigation Ida Bagus Ratu told local media. Regent of Badung Adi Arnawa said authorities will follow through on the mandate by the Bali Provincial Government despite widespread public outcry. 'Our community in Pecatu is very aware that they carry out activities on the land. So I hope no one comes to say this and that, pretending to be a saviour, to be a hero. People are aware when building on land that does not belong to them, so it is natural for them to leave the land,' Regent Arnawa stated, as per the Bali Sun. Widespread speculation suggests the removals may be linked to plans for luxury beach club development, similar to those proliferating throughout the Uluwatu area in recent years, though this is denied by authorities. Eleven-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater is among those voicing concern on social media. 'Awful to hear and see that the beachfront at Bingin in Bali has been bought up and all the local (eateries) and other businesses will be demolished to make room for some kind of beach club and not sure what else?' he said. 'Bali has been completely mishandled and ruined by foreign interests in recent years. 'I hope something can be done to retain the culture and beauty of what attracted everyone there in the first place.' Popular citizen journalist social media account among expats, Uluwatu Community, has been leading a campaign against the demolition, declaring: 'Rumors are spreading: is this really about law enforcement or about clearing prime land for bigger investors with deeper pockets?' 'It seems the idea of an 'undeveloped' cliff no longer fits into certain visions for the future.' Among the businesses facing demolition is Kelly's Warung, a beloved eatery perched in front of the famous Bingin surf break. The family-owned establishment, which has operated for 'generations', remains optimistic they will 'be here for generations more.' 'We have been here for generations, same family owned, passed down,' the warung stated. Uluwatu Community added, 'Bingin residents and business owners have hired four lawyers.' 'A legal battle may be just getting started.'

Inside the Range Rover Electric: An interview with the chief engineer
Inside the Range Rover Electric: An interview with the chief engineer

The Advertiser

time7 days ago

  • The Advertiser

Inside the Range Rover Electric: An interview with the chief engineer

The Range Rover Electric marks a turning point for Land Rover's flagship model: its first foray into fully electric propulsion. While it retains the traditional Range Rover silhouette and off-road DNA, this new model integrates electric vehicle (EV) hardware developed in-house, dual electric motors, and an 118kWh battery pack. At the centre of this transformation is Lynfel Owen, the chief engineer of vehicle engineering for the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Defender model lines. With more than 25 years in the automotive industry – including senior roles in Ford and now JLR – Mr Owen is responsible for engineering sign-off and attribute delivery across all three nameplates. A Nottingham University MEng graduate, Mr Owen has spent the last decade overseeing the transition to EV propulsion within JLR's most iconic products. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "I pretty much only ever worked on Range Rover," Mr Owen said. "I've done a few other projects. I didn't work on the [Jaguar] I-Pace. I was working on the previous-generation Range Rover." Still, he was direct about the lessons learned from the Jaguar I-Pace, which was plagued with reliability issues for its electric drivetrain and battery pack. "We've learned that we can't do that to our customers, and we're not going to do that again." The battery pack in the Range Rover Electric is made up of NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) chemistry prismatic cells stacked in two layers. "We've got two layers, 172 on each layer (344 in total)," Mr Owen explained. "118 usable kilowatt hours out of this battery." The pack is assembled in-house, though the cell supplier remains unnamed: "We're working with a partner on cells. Not at liberty to tell who they are. Well recognised within the industry." We very much suspect it's BYD. The electric variant sits on the same flexible platform as the petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid Range Rovers and comes down the same production line. The battery pack supplies energy to a twin-motor setup producing 404kW of power and 850Nm of torque. The pair of permanent magnet drive units, one on each axle, makes use of ultra-thin discs in the rotor assembly, which are precisely machined to less than 0.2mm, allowing more discs per motor and subsequently more torque. The company claims the enhanced design and silicon carbide semiconductor technology give the Range Rover electric motors 70 per cent more torque and reduced energy-sapping losses by 40 per cent compared to the previous-generation unit found in the Jaguar I-Pace. To test all of this, JLR engineers have been the world over. "We're making sure we learn from, you know, our mistakes with respect to I-Pace. So we're testing all aspects of the car… we've just had a northern hemisphere winter that we've completed, so we've been doing our low-mu testing on the frozen lakes," explained Mr Owen. Charging specs are modern and flexible. "22 kilowatt," Mr Owen confirmed for AC charging. "10 to 80 per cent in about 20 minutes" for DC at 350kW. The car can also charge via AC on either side: "We've got AC port on both sides. Again, we listen to our customers." That practicality carries through the rest of the vehicle. "Some people have got [chargers] bolted on. Their garage might have two or three cars… [so you don't have to use a] 15 metre cable." Mr Owen described the thermal management system – ThermAssist – as a briefcase-sized unit sitting above the electric drive unit. "Cabin comfort. Battery temperature. Whether it's to cool it down, whether it's to warm it up. Recovering heat from the air at minus 15… It also reduces the heating energy consumption by over 40 per cent [compared to I-Pace]." On why the Range Rover Electric doesn't have a front trunk: "We spoke to our customers… none of them have an issue [with] lack of storage space… The rear cargo space is exactly the same. We haven't had to raise the floor. The only compromise we have to make is we're not able to offer a seven-seat derivative." He added bluntly: "Why would I want to lean against the dirtiest part of the car to put stuff?" From a suspension perspective, a switchable twin-chamber air suspension is utilised while regenerative braking delivers one-pedal driving. Despite its large battery, weight has been closely managed. "Weight is the biggest enemy to any EV, because you've got to cart it around. And when it's empty, it's dead weight." Official range figures are still being finalised, and Mr Owen wouldn't be drawn into the Range Rover electric's weight, but we suspect it will be around 2500kg kerb. As for the driving range: "It's going to be… It's in excess of 300 miles (480km). We use EPA, because we find EPA is pretty much spot on." Brands like Ferrari and Rolls-Royce have committed to providing battery repair and updates to their electrified vehicles indefinitely, given the price point and customer base of their cars. JLR is in a similar spot whereby the cars are not disposed of like cheaper EVs might be. Questioned on how the company plans to keep its EVs driving on the road in the decades to come, Mr Owen said battery longevity and servicing are also under review. "Reworking cells, individual cells, sounds great. But the amount of time and effort and safety protocols that go into that – we don't want to take a customer out of their car over and over again." Still, Mr Owen confirmed long-term support is legislated: "There's actually legislation (in the works) that dictates how long you've got to do it. And it's a really long time in the UK… and it's coming in around the world." Ultimately, though, the Range Rover Electric is a Range Rover first and electric second. "This is still a Range Rover. It is not an EV," Mr Owen said. "Our customers buy a Range Rover. Then they decide which propulsion system they want." That applies to future performance versions as well. "As part of the Reimagine strategy, we've committed to electrifying all the vehicles in our range by 2030." This might mean that at some point in the not-so-distant future, even the Range Rover Sport SV might go electric, but that remains to be seen. The brand makes use of a five-channel active road noise cancellation system specifically for the electric Range Rover, which is now the quietest Range Rover ever. It uses four accelerometers outside the vehicle to detect noise, which the system then automatically cancels using sound frequencies delivered through the audio system. The cabin is now so quiet that Range Rover has also created a unique sound for its electric mode, which responds to driver inputs. While it would be difficult to tell the electric Range Rover apart from a fuel-guzzler from the outside, little details like the wheels, which are aerodynamically optimised, are evident. Even the front grille has been reduced in weight. The motors are also a JLR development. "The actual motors, the electric motors inside, and the inverters are common front to rear… obviously, the packaging differs… completely different castings, but the same power." Asked whether they benchmark other EVs, Mr Owen said: "We benchmark all the time – not just for electric Range Rover, but for everything." But he doesn't see a direct rival: "There really isn't another EV out there doing what this car does. Not at this level of off-road ability with this type of luxury." As for when customers can expect to take delivery? "We'll launch it when we're ready, and it's good." That should see the Range Rover electric start production some time in 2026. MORE: Explore the Range Rover showroom Content originally sourced from: The Range Rover Electric marks a turning point for Land Rover's flagship model: its first foray into fully electric propulsion. While it retains the traditional Range Rover silhouette and off-road DNA, this new model integrates electric vehicle (EV) hardware developed in-house, dual electric motors, and an 118kWh battery pack. At the centre of this transformation is Lynfel Owen, the chief engineer of vehicle engineering for the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Defender model lines. With more than 25 years in the automotive industry – including senior roles in Ford and now JLR – Mr Owen is responsible for engineering sign-off and attribute delivery across all three nameplates. A Nottingham University MEng graduate, Mr Owen has spent the last decade overseeing the transition to EV propulsion within JLR's most iconic products. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "I pretty much only ever worked on Range Rover," Mr Owen said. "I've done a few other projects. I didn't work on the [Jaguar] I-Pace. I was working on the previous-generation Range Rover." Still, he was direct about the lessons learned from the Jaguar I-Pace, which was plagued with reliability issues for its electric drivetrain and battery pack. "We've learned that we can't do that to our customers, and we're not going to do that again." The battery pack in the Range Rover Electric is made up of NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) chemistry prismatic cells stacked in two layers. "We've got two layers, 172 on each layer (344 in total)," Mr Owen explained. "118 usable kilowatt hours out of this battery." The pack is assembled in-house, though the cell supplier remains unnamed: "We're working with a partner on cells. Not at liberty to tell who they are. Well recognised within the industry." We very much suspect it's BYD. The electric variant sits on the same flexible platform as the petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid Range Rovers and comes down the same production line. The battery pack supplies energy to a twin-motor setup producing 404kW of power and 850Nm of torque. The pair of permanent magnet drive units, one on each axle, makes use of ultra-thin discs in the rotor assembly, which are precisely machined to less than 0.2mm, allowing more discs per motor and subsequently more torque. The company claims the enhanced design and silicon carbide semiconductor technology give the Range Rover electric motors 70 per cent more torque and reduced energy-sapping losses by 40 per cent compared to the previous-generation unit found in the Jaguar I-Pace. To test all of this, JLR engineers have been the world over. "We're making sure we learn from, you know, our mistakes with respect to I-Pace. So we're testing all aspects of the car… we've just had a northern hemisphere winter that we've completed, so we've been doing our low-mu testing on the frozen lakes," explained Mr Owen. Charging specs are modern and flexible. "22 kilowatt," Mr Owen confirmed for AC charging. "10 to 80 per cent in about 20 minutes" for DC at 350kW. The car can also charge via AC on either side: "We've got AC port on both sides. Again, we listen to our customers." That practicality carries through the rest of the vehicle. "Some people have got [chargers] bolted on. Their garage might have two or three cars… [so you don't have to use a] 15 metre cable." Mr Owen described the thermal management system – ThermAssist – as a briefcase-sized unit sitting above the electric drive unit. "Cabin comfort. Battery temperature. Whether it's to cool it down, whether it's to warm it up. Recovering heat from the air at minus 15… It also reduces the heating energy consumption by over 40 per cent [compared to I-Pace]." On why the Range Rover Electric doesn't have a front trunk: "We spoke to our customers… none of them have an issue [with] lack of storage space… The rear cargo space is exactly the same. We haven't had to raise the floor. The only compromise we have to make is we're not able to offer a seven-seat derivative." He added bluntly: "Why would I want to lean against the dirtiest part of the car to put stuff?" From a suspension perspective, a switchable twin-chamber air suspension is utilised while regenerative braking delivers one-pedal driving. Despite its large battery, weight has been closely managed. "Weight is the biggest enemy to any EV, because you've got to cart it around. And when it's empty, it's dead weight." Official range figures are still being finalised, and Mr Owen wouldn't be drawn into the Range Rover electric's weight, but we suspect it will be around 2500kg kerb. As for the driving range: "It's going to be… It's in excess of 300 miles (480km). We use EPA, because we find EPA is pretty much spot on." Brands like Ferrari and Rolls-Royce have committed to providing battery repair and updates to their electrified vehicles indefinitely, given the price point and customer base of their cars. JLR is in a similar spot whereby the cars are not disposed of like cheaper EVs might be. Questioned on how the company plans to keep its EVs driving on the road in the decades to come, Mr Owen said battery longevity and servicing are also under review. "Reworking cells, individual cells, sounds great. But the amount of time and effort and safety protocols that go into that – we don't want to take a customer out of their car over and over again." Still, Mr Owen confirmed long-term support is legislated: "There's actually legislation (in the works) that dictates how long you've got to do it. And it's a really long time in the UK… and it's coming in around the world." Ultimately, though, the Range Rover Electric is a Range Rover first and electric second. "This is still a Range Rover. It is not an EV," Mr Owen said. "Our customers buy a Range Rover. Then they decide which propulsion system they want." That applies to future performance versions as well. "As part of the Reimagine strategy, we've committed to electrifying all the vehicles in our range by 2030." This might mean that at some point in the not-so-distant future, even the Range Rover Sport SV might go electric, but that remains to be seen. The brand makes use of a five-channel active road noise cancellation system specifically for the electric Range Rover, which is now the quietest Range Rover ever. It uses four accelerometers outside the vehicle to detect noise, which the system then automatically cancels using sound frequencies delivered through the audio system. The cabin is now so quiet that Range Rover has also created a unique sound for its electric mode, which responds to driver inputs. While it would be difficult to tell the electric Range Rover apart from a fuel-guzzler from the outside, little details like the wheels, which are aerodynamically optimised, are evident. Even the front grille has been reduced in weight. The motors are also a JLR development. "The actual motors, the electric motors inside, and the inverters are common front to rear… obviously, the packaging differs… completely different castings, but the same power." Asked whether they benchmark other EVs, Mr Owen said: "We benchmark all the time – not just for electric Range Rover, but for everything." But he doesn't see a direct rival: "There really isn't another EV out there doing what this car does. Not at this level of off-road ability with this type of luxury." As for when customers can expect to take delivery? "We'll launch it when we're ready, and it's good." That should see the Range Rover electric start production some time in 2026. MORE: Explore the Range Rover showroom Content originally sourced from: The Range Rover Electric marks a turning point for Land Rover's flagship model: its first foray into fully electric propulsion. While it retains the traditional Range Rover silhouette and off-road DNA, this new model integrates electric vehicle (EV) hardware developed in-house, dual electric motors, and an 118kWh battery pack. At the centre of this transformation is Lynfel Owen, the chief engineer of vehicle engineering for the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Defender model lines. With more than 25 years in the automotive industry – including senior roles in Ford and now JLR – Mr Owen is responsible for engineering sign-off and attribute delivery across all three nameplates. A Nottingham University MEng graduate, Mr Owen has spent the last decade overseeing the transition to EV propulsion within JLR's most iconic products. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "I pretty much only ever worked on Range Rover," Mr Owen said. "I've done a few other projects. I didn't work on the [Jaguar] I-Pace. I was working on the previous-generation Range Rover." Still, he was direct about the lessons learned from the Jaguar I-Pace, which was plagued with reliability issues for its electric drivetrain and battery pack. "We've learned that we can't do that to our customers, and we're not going to do that again." The battery pack in the Range Rover Electric is made up of NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) chemistry prismatic cells stacked in two layers. "We've got two layers, 172 on each layer (344 in total)," Mr Owen explained. "118 usable kilowatt hours out of this battery." The pack is assembled in-house, though the cell supplier remains unnamed: "We're working with a partner on cells. Not at liberty to tell who they are. Well recognised within the industry." We very much suspect it's BYD. The electric variant sits on the same flexible platform as the petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid Range Rovers and comes down the same production line. The battery pack supplies energy to a twin-motor setup producing 404kW of power and 850Nm of torque. The pair of permanent magnet drive units, one on each axle, makes use of ultra-thin discs in the rotor assembly, which are precisely machined to less than 0.2mm, allowing more discs per motor and subsequently more torque. The company claims the enhanced design and silicon carbide semiconductor technology give the Range Rover electric motors 70 per cent more torque and reduced energy-sapping losses by 40 per cent compared to the previous-generation unit found in the Jaguar I-Pace. To test all of this, JLR engineers have been the world over. "We're making sure we learn from, you know, our mistakes with respect to I-Pace. So we're testing all aspects of the car… we've just had a northern hemisphere winter that we've completed, so we've been doing our low-mu testing on the frozen lakes," explained Mr Owen. Charging specs are modern and flexible. "22 kilowatt," Mr Owen confirmed for AC charging. "10 to 80 per cent in about 20 minutes" for DC at 350kW. The car can also charge via AC on either side: "We've got AC port on both sides. Again, we listen to our customers." That practicality carries through the rest of the vehicle. "Some people have got [chargers] bolted on. Their garage might have two or three cars… [so you don't have to use a] 15 metre cable." Mr Owen described the thermal management system – ThermAssist – as a briefcase-sized unit sitting above the electric drive unit. "Cabin comfort. Battery temperature. Whether it's to cool it down, whether it's to warm it up. Recovering heat from the air at minus 15… It also reduces the heating energy consumption by over 40 per cent [compared to I-Pace]." On why the Range Rover Electric doesn't have a front trunk: "We spoke to our customers… none of them have an issue [with] lack of storage space… The rear cargo space is exactly the same. We haven't had to raise the floor. The only compromise we have to make is we're not able to offer a seven-seat derivative." He added bluntly: "Why would I want to lean against the dirtiest part of the car to put stuff?" From a suspension perspective, a switchable twin-chamber air suspension is utilised while regenerative braking delivers one-pedal driving. Despite its large battery, weight has been closely managed. "Weight is the biggest enemy to any EV, because you've got to cart it around. And when it's empty, it's dead weight." Official range figures are still being finalised, and Mr Owen wouldn't be drawn into the Range Rover electric's weight, but we suspect it will be around 2500kg kerb. As for the driving range: "It's going to be… It's in excess of 300 miles (480km). We use EPA, because we find EPA is pretty much spot on." Brands like Ferrari and Rolls-Royce have committed to providing battery repair and updates to their electrified vehicles indefinitely, given the price point and customer base of their cars. JLR is in a similar spot whereby the cars are not disposed of like cheaper EVs might be. Questioned on how the company plans to keep its EVs driving on the road in the decades to come, Mr Owen said battery longevity and servicing are also under review. "Reworking cells, individual cells, sounds great. But the amount of time and effort and safety protocols that go into that – we don't want to take a customer out of their car over and over again." Still, Mr Owen confirmed long-term support is legislated: "There's actually legislation (in the works) that dictates how long you've got to do it. And it's a really long time in the UK… and it's coming in around the world." Ultimately, though, the Range Rover Electric is a Range Rover first and electric second. "This is still a Range Rover. It is not an EV," Mr Owen said. "Our customers buy a Range Rover. Then they decide which propulsion system they want." That applies to future performance versions as well. "As part of the Reimagine strategy, we've committed to electrifying all the vehicles in our range by 2030." This might mean that at some point in the not-so-distant future, even the Range Rover Sport SV might go electric, but that remains to be seen. The brand makes use of a five-channel active road noise cancellation system specifically for the electric Range Rover, which is now the quietest Range Rover ever. It uses four accelerometers outside the vehicle to detect noise, which the system then automatically cancels using sound frequencies delivered through the audio system. The cabin is now so quiet that Range Rover has also created a unique sound for its electric mode, which responds to driver inputs. While it would be difficult to tell the electric Range Rover apart from a fuel-guzzler from the outside, little details like the wheels, which are aerodynamically optimised, are evident. Even the front grille has been reduced in weight. The motors are also a JLR development. "The actual motors, the electric motors inside, and the inverters are common front to rear… obviously, the packaging differs… completely different castings, but the same power." Asked whether they benchmark other EVs, Mr Owen said: "We benchmark all the time – not just for electric Range Rover, but for everything." But he doesn't see a direct rival: "There really isn't another EV out there doing what this car does. Not at this level of off-road ability with this type of luxury." As for when customers can expect to take delivery? "We'll launch it when we're ready, and it's good." That should see the Range Rover electric start production some time in 2026. MORE: Explore the Range Rover showroom Content originally sourced from: The Range Rover Electric marks a turning point for Land Rover's flagship model: its first foray into fully electric propulsion. While it retains the traditional Range Rover silhouette and off-road DNA, this new model integrates electric vehicle (EV) hardware developed in-house, dual electric motors, and an 118kWh battery pack. At the centre of this transformation is Lynfel Owen, the chief engineer of vehicle engineering for the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Defender model lines. With more than 25 years in the automotive industry – including senior roles in Ford and now JLR – Mr Owen is responsible for engineering sign-off and attribute delivery across all three nameplates. A Nottingham University MEng graduate, Mr Owen has spent the last decade overseeing the transition to EV propulsion within JLR's most iconic products. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "I pretty much only ever worked on Range Rover," Mr Owen said. "I've done a few other projects. I didn't work on the [Jaguar] I-Pace. I was working on the previous-generation Range Rover." Still, he was direct about the lessons learned from the Jaguar I-Pace, which was plagued with reliability issues for its electric drivetrain and battery pack. "We've learned that we can't do that to our customers, and we're not going to do that again." The battery pack in the Range Rover Electric is made up of NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) chemistry prismatic cells stacked in two layers. "We've got two layers, 172 on each layer (344 in total)," Mr Owen explained. "118 usable kilowatt hours out of this battery." The pack is assembled in-house, though the cell supplier remains unnamed: "We're working with a partner on cells. Not at liberty to tell who they are. Well recognised within the industry." We very much suspect it's BYD. The electric variant sits on the same flexible platform as the petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid Range Rovers and comes down the same production line. The battery pack supplies energy to a twin-motor setup producing 404kW of power and 850Nm of torque. The pair of permanent magnet drive units, one on each axle, makes use of ultra-thin discs in the rotor assembly, which are precisely machined to less than 0.2mm, allowing more discs per motor and subsequently more torque. The company claims the enhanced design and silicon carbide semiconductor technology give the Range Rover electric motors 70 per cent more torque and reduced energy-sapping losses by 40 per cent compared to the previous-generation unit found in the Jaguar I-Pace. To test all of this, JLR engineers have been the world over. "We're making sure we learn from, you know, our mistakes with respect to I-Pace. So we're testing all aspects of the car… we've just had a northern hemisphere winter that we've completed, so we've been doing our low-mu testing on the frozen lakes," explained Mr Owen. Charging specs are modern and flexible. "22 kilowatt," Mr Owen confirmed for AC charging. "10 to 80 per cent in about 20 minutes" for DC at 350kW. The car can also charge via AC on either side: "We've got AC port on both sides. Again, we listen to our customers." That practicality carries through the rest of the vehicle. "Some people have got [chargers] bolted on. Their garage might have two or three cars… [so you don't have to use a] 15 metre cable." Mr Owen described the thermal management system – ThermAssist – as a briefcase-sized unit sitting above the electric drive unit. "Cabin comfort. Battery temperature. Whether it's to cool it down, whether it's to warm it up. Recovering heat from the air at minus 15… It also reduces the heating energy consumption by over 40 per cent [compared to I-Pace]." On why the Range Rover Electric doesn't have a front trunk: "We spoke to our customers… none of them have an issue [with] lack of storage space… The rear cargo space is exactly the same. We haven't had to raise the floor. The only compromise we have to make is we're not able to offer a seven-seat derivative." He added bluntly: "Why would I want to lean against the dirtiest part of the car to put stuff?" From a suspension perspective, a switchable twin-chamber air suspension is utilised while regenerative braking delivers one-pedal driving. Despite its large battery, weight has been closely managed. "Weight is the biggest enemy to any EV, because you've got to cart it around. And when it's empty, it's dead weight." Official range figures are still being finalised, and Mr Owen wouldn't be drawn into the Range Rover electric's weight, but we suspect it will be around 2500kg kerb. As for the driving range: "It's going to be… It's in excess of 300 miles (480km). We use EPA, because we find EPA is pretty much spot on." Brands like Ferrari and Rolls-Royce have committed to providing battery repair and updates to their electrified vehicles indefinitely, given the price point and customer base of their cars. JLR is in a similar spot whereby the cars are not disposed of like cheaper EVs might be. Questioned on how the company plans to keep its EVs driving on the road in the decades to come, Mr Owen said battery longevity and servicing are also under review. "Reworking cells, individual cells, sounds great. But the amount of time and effort and safety protocols that go into that – we don't want to take a customer out of their car over and over again." Still, Mr Owen confirmed long-term support is legislated: "There's actually legislation (in the works) that dictates how long you've got to do it. And it's a really long time in the UK… and it's coming in around the world." Ultimately, though, the Range Rover Electric is a Range Rover first and electric second. "This is still a Range Rover. It is not an EV," Mr Owen said. "Our customers buy a Range Rover. Then they decide which propulsion system they want." That applies to future performance versions as well. "As part of the Reimagine strategy, we've committed to electrifying all the vehicles in our range by 2030." This might mean that at some point in the not-so-distant future, even the Range Rover Sport SV might go electric, but that remains to be seen. The brand makes use of a five-channel active road noise cancellation system specifically for the electric Range Rover, which is now the quietest Range Rover ever. It uses four accelerometers outside the vehicle to detect noise, which the system then automatically cancels using sound frequencies delivered through the audio system. The cabin is now so quiet that Range Rover has also created a unique sound for its electric mode, which responds to driver inputs. While it would be difficult to tell the electric Range Rover apart from a fuel-guzzler from the outside, little details like the wheels, which are aerodynamically optimised, are evident. Even the front grille has been reduced in weight. The motors are also a JLR development. "The actual motors, the electric motors inside, and the inverters are common front to rear… obviously, the packaging differs… completely different castings, but the same power." Asked whether they benchmark other EVs, Mr Owen said: "We benchmark all the time – not just for electric Range Rover, but for everything." But he doesn't see a direct rival: "There really isn't another EV out there doing what this car does. Not at this level of off-road ability with this type of luxury." As for when customers can expect to take delivery? "We'll launch it when we're ready, and it's good." That should see the Range Rover electric start production some time in 2026. MORE: Explore the Range Rover showroom Content originally sourced from:

2026 Geely Starray EM-i: Local lineup detailed for Sealion 6, Outlander PHEV rival
2026 Geely Starray EM-i: Local lineup detailed for Sealion 6, Outlander PHEV rival

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time7 days ago

  • The Advertiser

2026 Geely Starray EM-i: Local lineup detailed for Sealion 6, Outlander PHEV rival

After getting off to a strong start with its budget-priced mid-size electric SUV, Geely now has rival mid-size plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUVs in its sights. The Geely Starray EM-i is due to arrive in Australia early during the fourth quarter (October-December) of this year. The Chinese brand has yet to confirm pricing, but it has released early specification details and shown off a top-spec pre-production vehicle locally. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Starray EM-i will be offered in two trim levels. Geely will confirm the names of these closer to the Starray EM-i's local launch, with final specification details also due around this time. We're expecting sharp pricing, given the all-electric Geely EX5 is priced between just $40,990 and $44,990 before on-road costs. Arguably its most direct rival here will be the BYD Sealion 6, which starts at $42,990 before on-road costs. The Geely Starray EM-i shares the same Global Intelligent New Energy Architecture (GEA) platform as the EX5, even sharing some items like body panels, but it's the company's first global model to feature its E-Motive Intelligence (EM-i) Super Hybrid powertrain. Unusually, Geely has chosen Starray as the export name for this SUV, and not the Starship 7 nameplate seen on the vehicle in China. Confusingly, the Starray name is also used on a different mid-size SUV in other export markets. There are three different drive modes: Pure for electric-only driving, Hybrid for a mix of electric and petrol, and Power for maximum combined outputs. Geely says the EM-i system is designed to be 'electrically driven', with the Starrary EM-i intended to drive like an electric vehicle (EV) in most situations. 3.3kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging capability is standard, allowing you to power external electrical appliances from the vehicle's battery. The Starray EM-i is a mid-size, five-seater crossover SUV. The Geely Starray EM-i has yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. Standard safety equipment will include: Geely has also confirmed an as-yet unspecified range of active safety and driver assist features. Geely has released a features list, but it cautions that final specification is subject to change. Final specification will be announced closer to the Starray EM-i's launch this year. At this stage, the top-spec Starray EM-i will come standard with the following equipment: * Denotes equipment exclusive to the top-spec trim. Apple CarPlay will be standard from launch, with Android Auto coming later via an over-the-air software update during the first quarter of 2026. Content originally sourced from: After getting off to a strong start with its budget-priced mid-size electric SUV, Geely now has rival mid-size plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUVs in its sights. The Geely Starray EM-i is due to arrive in Australia early during the fourth quarter (October-December) of this year. The Chinese brand has yet to confirm pricing, but it has released early specification details and shown off a top-spec pre-production vehicle locally. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Starray EM-i will be offered in two trim levels. Geely will confirm the names of these closer to the Starray EM-i's local launch, with final specification details also due around this time. We're expecting sharp pricing, given the all-electric Geely EX5 is priced between just $40,990 and $44,990 before on-road costs. Arguably its most direct rival here will be the BYD Sealion 6, which starts at $42,990 before on-road costs. The Geely Starray EM-i shares the same Global Intelligent New Energy Architecture (GEA) platform as the EX5, even sharing some items like body panels, but it's the company's first global model to feature its E-Motive Intelligence (EM-i) Super Hybrid powertrain. Unusually, Geely has chosen Starray as the export name for this SUV, and not the Starship 7 nameplate seen on the vehicle in China. Confusingly, the Starray name is also used on a different mid-size SUV in other export markets. There are three different drive modes: Pure for electric-only driving, Hybrid for a mix of electric and petrol, and Power for maximum combined outputs. Geely says the EM-i system is designed to be 'electrically driven', with the Starrary EM-i intended to drive like an electric vehicle (EV) in most situations. 3.3kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging capability is standard, allowing you to power external electrical appliances from the vehicle's battery. The Starray EM-i is a mid-size, five-seater crossover SUV. The Geely Starray EM-i has yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. Standard safety equipment will include: Geely has also confirmed an as-yet unspecified range of active safety and driver assist features. Geely has released a features list, but it cautions that final specification is subject to change. Final specification will be announced closer to the Starray EM-i's launch this year. At this stage, the top-spec Starray EM-i will come standard with the following equipment: * Denotes equipment exclusive to the top-spec trim. Apple CarPlay will be standard from launch, with Android Auto coming later via an over-the-air software update during the first quarter of 2026. Content originally sourced from: After getting off to a strong start with its budget-priced mid-size electric SUV, Geely now has rival mid-size plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUVs in its sights. The Geely Starray EM-i is due to arrive in Australia early during the fourth quarter (October-December) of this year. The Chinese brand has yet to confirm pricing, but it has released early specification details and shown off a top-spec pre-production vehicle locally. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Starray EM-i will be offered in two trim levels. Geely will confirm the names of these closer to the Starray EM-i's local launch, with final specification details also due around this time. We're expecting sharp pricing, given the all-electric Geely EX5 is priced between just $40,990 and $44,990 before on-road costs. Arguably its most direct rival here will be the BYD Sealion 6, which starts at $42,990 before on-road costs. The Geely Starray EM-i shares the same Global Intelligent New Energy Architecture (GEA) platform as the EX5, even sharing some items like body panels, but it's the company's first global model to feature its E-Motive Intelligence (EM-i) Super Hybrid powertrain. Unusually, Geely has chosen Starray as the export name for this SUV, and not the Starship 7 nameplate seen on the vehicle in China. Confusingly, the Starray name is also used on a different mid-size SUV in other export markets. There are three different drive modes: Pure for electric-only driving, Hybrid for a mix of electric and petrol, and Power for maximum combined outputs. Geely says the EM-i system is designed to be 'electrically driven', with the Starrary EM-i intended to drive like an electric vehicle (EV) in most situations. 3.3kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging capability is standard, allowing you to power external electrical appliances from the vehicle's battery. The Starray EM-i is a mid-size, five-seater crossover SUV. The Geely Starray EM-i has yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. Standard safety equipment will include: Geely has also confirmed an as-yet unspecified range of active safety and driver assist features. Geely has released a features list, but it cautions that final specification is subject to change. Final specification will be announced closer to the Starray EM-i's launch this year. At this stage, the top-spec Starray EM-i will come standard with the following equipment: * Denotes equipment exclusive to the top-spec trim. Apple CarPlay will be standard from launch, with Android Auto coming later via an over-the-air software update during the first quarter of 2026. Content originally sourced from: After getting off to a strong start with its budget-priced mid-size electric SUV, Geely now has rival mid-size plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUVs in its sights. The Geely Starray EM-i is due to arrive in Australia early during the fourth quarter (October-December) of this year. The Chinese brand has yet to confirm pricing, but it has released early specification details and shown off a top-spec pre-production vehicle locally. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Starray EM-i will be offered in two trim levels. Geely will confirm the names of these closer to the Starray EM-i's local launch, with final specification details also due around this time. We're expecting sharp pricing, given the all-electric Geely EX5 is priced between just $40,990 and $44,990 before on-road costs. Arguably its most direct rival here will be the BYD Sealion 6, which starts at $42,990 before on-road costs. The Geely Starray EM-i shares the same Global Intelligent New Energy Architecture (GEA) platform as the EX5, even sharing some items like body panels, but it's the company's first global model to feature its E-Motive Intelligence (EM-i) Super Hybrid powertrain. Unusually, Geely has chosen Starray as the export name for this SUV, and not the Starship 7 nameplate seen on the vehicle in China. Confusingly, the Starray name is also used on a different mid-size SUV in other export markets. There are three different drive modes: Pure for electric-only driving, Hybrid for a mix of electric and petrol, and Power for maximum combined outputs. Geely says the EM-i system is designed to be 'electrically driven', with the Starrary EM-i intended to drive like an electric vehicle (EV) in most situations. 3.3kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging capability is standard, allowing you to power external electrical appliances from the vehicle's battery. The Starray EM-i is a mid-size, five-seater crossover SUV. The Geely Starray EM-i has yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. Standard safety equipment will include: Geely has also confirmed an as-yet unspecified range of active safety and driver assist features. Geely has released a features list, but it cautions that final specification is subject to change. Final specification will be announced closer to the Starray EM-i's launch this year. At this stage, the top-spec Starray EM-i will come standard with the following equipment: * Denotes equipment exclusive to the top-spec trim. Apple CarPlay will be standard from launch, with Android Auto coming later via an over-the-air software update during the first quarter of 2026. Content originally sourced from:

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