Range Rover Sport (L322)
Electroluminescent Technology Built from the Ground Up
At Elumin8, we have always believed that innovation in automotive lighting starts with developing the technology, not simply integrating what already exists.
One of our earliest vehicle programmes saw Elumin8 develop a complete electroluminescent lighting solution for the Range Rover Sport L322. Working as a Tier 2 partner to GSM, the Tier 1 metal fabricator, Elumin8 was responsible for developing the electronics, lighting technology and manufacturing solution from the ground up.
At the heart of the programme was a bespoke electroluminescent inverter. Developing the inverter to the required automotive standard was a significant engineering challenge, with two years of development required to achieve the EMC performance necessary to meet Ford testing standards.
Project Snapshot
Programme
L322 Range Rover Sport
Application
Illuminated Treadplates
Technology
Electroluminescence (EL)
Role
Tier 2 Supplier to GSM Line-Fit & Aftermarket
Services
Concept Development • Electronic Design • Validation • Manufacturing • Assembly • UK Quality Testing • Programme Support
The Challenge
Electroluminescent technology presented a very different engineering challenge from conventional LED lighting.
The system required a dedicated inverter capable of generating and controlling the electrical characteristics needed to drive the EL light source, while also meeting the demanding electromagnetic compatibility requirements of an automotive environment.
For Elumin8, this meant developing the electronic technology from first principles rather than relying on an established off-the-shelf solution.
The inverter needed to perform reliably within the vehicle, integrate with the tread plate assembly and achieve the required EMC performance before the system could progress into production.
Our Solution
Elumin8 designed and developed a complete electroluminescent lighting system for the Range Rover Sport L322.
Central to the development was the bespoke EL inverter. Over a two-year development period, Elumin8 refined the electronic design and manufacturing process to achieve the required performance and reliability.
Extensive validation and EMC development were undertaken to ensure the system could meet the demanding standards required for automotive production, ultimately achieving the necessary Ford EMC testing standard.
Working as a Tier 2 partner to GSM, Elumin8 managed the lighting technology from electronic design and development through validation testing, manufacture and supply.
The technology was also engineered with sufficient flexibility to be applied to another premium vehicle programme, the Jaguar XJ, demonstrating the value of developing a robust core lighting platform rather than a single-use solution.
The Outcome
The Range Rover Sport programme established an important early example of Elumin8’s ability to develop automotive lighting technology from the ground up.
The successful EL inverter development provided a production-ready solution for the illuminated tread plate application while demonstrating Elumin8’s capability as a specialist Tier 2 engineering and manufacturing partner.
The technology was subsequently utilised across both Range Rover Sport and Jaguar XJ programmes, extending the value of the original development.
More than a decade later, the programme remains an important example of Elumin8’s approach: identify a difficult lighting challenge, develop the technology required to solve it, validate it to automotive standards and support it through production.