Land Rover’s flagship diversifies to take on its fully electric luxury SUV rivals On sale Late 2024 Price from £130,000 (est)
Stuart Milne stuart.milne@haymarket.com
YOU DON’T GET a second chance to make a first impression, so the saying goes. But that’s precisely what the new Range Rover Electric is seeking to do. You see, for some, the luxury SUV’s diesel and petrol engine lineup is a symbol of a time gone by. So, could the introduction of the electric Range Rover change those perceptions?
The hope is that it’ll appeal to EV (electric vehicle) fans and Range Rover devotees alike; Land Rover bosses say it’ll be the quietest and most refined Range Rover so far, yet it will still be able to wade through water up to 850mm deep – just 50mm shy of what other Range Rovers can manage. It will also share their Terrain Response Control, optimising the car’s traction systems according to the conditions.
It won’t wear its electric heart on its sleeve; the Range Rover Electric is likely to differ visually from combustion-engined models only in badging and minor details. However, Land Rover says it has filed more patents for the electric version than for any model before it, and it has been subjected to “one of the most rigorous engineering sign-off programmes ever”, covering -40deg C conditions in Sweden to 50deg C temperatures in Dubai.
The Range Rover Electric shares its underpinnings with other Range Rover models. The current car rides very smoothly and quietly, so we hope the Electric follows suit. The electric version is said to match its V8 petrol-powered stablemate on performance, meaning a 0-60mph time of around 4.5sec.
Towing limits haven’t yet been revealed, but Land Rover has hinted they will be the best of any electric SUV currently on sale. There’s no word yet on range or battery size, but an 800-volt electrical system will be used to support ultra-fast charging. To keep pace with its BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV rivals, the Range Rover would need a 300-mile range.
While the interior is yet to be seen, it’s unlikely to change much from that of the current car. Expect the same degree of opulence, with high-quality leather upholstery – alongside vegan alternatives – and a blend of eye-catching wood veneers and metallic finishes.
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