Prototypes of the upcoming Range Rover Electric have completed a second successful season of testing and development in the sub-zero conditions of the Arctic Circle.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The fully electric luxury SUV, due to debut in full later this year, has undergone some 45,000 miles of accumulated testing across frozen lakes and land tracks in Arjeplog, Sweden, putting its thermal management system through a rigorous schedule.

The tests demonstrated the vehicle’s all-round capability and also showed that the new ThermAssist technology helps to optimise range and preserves charging capability, while maintaining cabin comfort in the coldest temperatures. The onboard system reduces heating energy consumption by up to 40% and aims to recover heat to warm the propulsion system or cabin in ambient temperatures as low as -10C.

The frozen lake tracks also provided invaluable testing conditions for dynamics, including single pedal driving capability and switchable, twin-chamber air-suspension.

JLR also revealed that the Range Rover Electric will come with a 117kWh battery consisting of 344 prismatic cells in a double-stacked layout and featuring a high-voltage 800V architecture. It’s also the first battery to be designed and built in-house at the carmaker and optimised for energy density, range and charging times.

The brand also said the electric luxury SUV benefits from cell-to-pack architecture providing the best possible performance.

The Range Rover Electric will also feature single-pedal driving that’s now been proven on challenging surfaces and in low-grip conditions. In addition to slowing the vehicle and delivering charge into the battery from regenerative braking, it is also tuned to work with Terrain Response. Single-pedal driving will bring the vehicle to a complete stop and will engage Hill Hold, enabling the driver to move off again without having touched the brakes at any point

Switchable twin-chamber air suspension has been extensively developed to manage body movements brought about by the electric model’s distinctive weight distribution.

The Arctic Circle testing has also demonstrated how Range Rover Electric’s all-wheel drive technology is capable of handling all surfaces. Thanks to its torque delivery, designed to be more precise than ICE applications, its Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD) technology is able to distribute rear torque from 100% to 0% to prevent loss of traction. Working with Integrated Traction Management, traction stability is maintained – controlling motor speed within 50 milliseconds and managing slip up to 100 times quicker than an ICE vehicle equivalent.

Matt Becker, vehicle engineering director, JLR, said: “In its driving character, Range Rover should seamlessly combine capability and refinement. Delivering both in an electric vehicle in a way that doesn’t diminish the vehicle in other areas is incredibly challenging. By increasing its torsional stiffness and improving its responses, we’ve been able to maintain a customary Range Rover driving experience that feels familiar. We have delivered on this promise by marrying all the essential Range Rover elements with new and advanced technologies.”