19 September 2024
Arksen’s Overland team introduces its first all-electric Land Rover restoration designed to get you even closer to nature.
Arksen, the forward-thinking global adventure company, is showcasing the latest edition to its Overland range for World EV Day with the launch of the Arksen D110e full-electric Land Rover Defender.
Arksen Overland launched in Q2 2023 with a range of restored and reimagined Land Rovers and Mercedes Unimog overland campers. Vehicles which deliver modern levels of reliability and comfort, while retaining the simplicity and engagement of an older vehicle; with significant mechanical upgrades to suit the toughest challenges, and carefully curated expedition equipment to suit a range of adventures.
Arksen’s vehicles can be imported to most markets globally, including the Americas; and as restorations, have a significantly better CO2 footprint than starting with a new vehicle, with almost a lap of the planet in hand, or another lifetime of adventure.
In Q3 2024, Arksen Overland will launch the all-electric, full-time four-wheel drive Arksen D110e Land Rover, and will invite customers to lock in build slots for the exclusive EV for delivery early in 2025.
Arksen believes electrification has a key role to play in adventure and exploration, both from an environmental and experience perspective. The company already offers hybrid propulsion at sea on its Explorer vessels, simultaneously reducing emissions and increasing range; smaller boats are designed to accept electric outboards; and the Overland team is working on an innovative modular full-electric adventure motorbike which it hopes will enhance the integration of bikes in ultra-adventures and create all new experiences.
With the D110e classic Land Rover Defender EV, Arksen is focused on creating enhanced off-road, albeit near-grid, adventure experiences. The 150kW (210bhp) electric motor is mated to the transfer case, giving permanent four-wheel drive and maintaining high and low range. Off-road this means near silent running and no gears for a deeper connection with nature, and access to most of the almost 900Nm (660 ft lbs) peak torque from a standstill, a step change in tractability and control when tackling the trickiest situations. On-road this translates to brisk performance and modern EV levels of refinement, which coupled with a 240 km (150 mile) range from the 70kWh fast charge battery makes for an excellent daily driver, compatible with the toughest Low Emission Zone restrictions.
The Arksen D110e’s electric drivetrain and battery systems are designed and developed in the UK, by a team with decades of mainstream automotive experience and an OEM approach to design, durability and safety which will allow the D110e to be homologated to ECE R100.
As with Arksen’s broader range of Land Rovers, the D110e will be available in a range of specifications, body and seating configurations as the entire installation sits below the floor and in the original ‘engine compartment’. Arksen will curate a build to suit your adventure, whether off-road or urban; as well as offer an Adventure Prepped spec with integrated power, water, and fridge on-board; or in Expedition Ready spec which adds an Arksen curated set-up incorporating roof-tent, awning, shower, storage, winch and recovery gear.
Arksen Overland CEO, Rich Brown said: “The Arksen D110e EV Defender is a vehicle you can enjoy as a daily driver or as a platform for off-road exploration. In our view this is an intelligent alternative to a sports car. Something you can feel good about driving, a vehicle with capability you can really enjoy responsibly and with your family. With a 150-mile range, sub 8 second 0-60 performance, with full 4x4 capability and buckets of torque from standstill, it ticks all the boxes. And having been built as an extension of our commitment to design, engineer and build with circular economy principles while embracing modern technology, it’s something the team is really proud of.”
Key features of the Arksen D110e Electric Land Rover Defender:
Electric Motor / Performance:
The Arksen D110e conversion features a powerful 150kW (210bhp) electric motor delivering 900Nm (660 ft lb) of torque via a bespoke reduction gearbox into the transfer case to retain full 4x4 capability and high / low range selection.
On-road responsiveness is excellent with on-demand torque across the speed range. Top speed is geared to 85 mph, with 0-60mph (0-100kph) sub 8 seconds.
Battery System / Range:
Powered by a 70kWh battery system, built to exacting safety standards, grounded in decades of mainstream automotive vehicle engineering experience, the Arksen D110e offers a range of approximately 240 km / 150 miles.
The battery systems are mounted in the ‘engine compartment’ and under the rear floor in order to retain the full layout and spec flexibility of the Defender, ensuring Arksen customers can tailor their vehicle to suit their individual needs.
On-board CCS fast charging delivers 80% range in approx 45 minutes; while the integrated inverter provides 5kW 240V mains output to power your needs on the go, whatever the adventure.
Certification:
The Arksen D110e is engineered and built to the highest standards, leveraging mainstream OEM experience and approaches and will be fully certified to ECE R100 safety standards.
Follow the Arksen Overland journey here and at @arksenoverland.
Click here to register interest or talk to Arksen about your own D110e build before launch.
Watch the full video here.