Who needs a V8: Zero-emission Range Rover Electric teased with epic performance and true off-road capability
The 2024 Range Rover Electric has been previewed ahead of its launch next year with the
British 4X4 maker releasing pics and early details of its flagship SUV that will provide a more
luxurious and expensive alternative to large battery-powered rivals like the Kia EV9.
When it arrives, Land Rover says buyers won’t have to compromise either its on- or off-road
capability and that the Range Rover Electric will be as fast as its flagship P530 version.
That means, despite packing a kerbweight approaching three-tonnes, epic power should see
the Range Rover Electric fire off the line from 0-100km/h in around 4.6 seconds – the same
sports car-like figure the P530 version manages.
From our first glimpse of the images, which include a smoother grill for better aero, a
charging port, copper trim elements, new rims with EV centre caps and an unchanged tail
lamp, we’d suggest many won’t spot the Range Rover Electric from the rest of the SUV line-up.
Full details of what will power the Range Rover Electric will follow later, but Land Rover has
disclosed the luxury SUV will get an 800-volt electrical architecture that will allow ultra-fast
top-ups from 350kW charger.
Expect a 10-80 percent charge to take around 25 minutes and for a quick five-minute plug-in
to add up to 100km when conditions are optimal.
We don’t know how big the Range Rover Electric’s battery will be, but bank on it being
around 100kWh and for it to have a range of between 450-500km on road.
Off the beaten track, the Range Rover Electric should prove as capable as its petrol,
diesel or plug-in hybrid version, although the battery-powered SUV can only wade up to
850mm in deep water, not quite the 900mm the rest of the range can.
To ensure it will able to cope with extreme off-roading, real prototypes are currently being
tested in scorching 50C temperatures of Dubai and on the freezing landscapes of Sweden
where it can get as cold as -40C.
Testing over ice, sand and rocky terrain will also guarantee the underfloor battery, electric
powertrain and chassis will be robust enough to cope with the extensive verification process
every Land Rover has to withstand before it gets signed off.
Not that the Range Rover Electric will neglect luxury. Quite the opposite with Land Rover
saying the new electric SUV will be the quietest most refined Range Rover in its history
thanks to active noise cancellation tech and a specially developed soundscape. It’s thought
the insulating properties of a large battery pack will also contribute to the peace and
tranquillity onboard.
Based on JLR’s Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA) – the identical underpinnings used
for the diesel, petrol and plug-in hybrid versions, the Range Rover Electric will be made at
the same Solihull factory in the West Midlands in the UK, with the battery and electric
motors sourced from JLR’s nearby Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre.
Once introduced in 2024 Land Rover says the Range Rover Electric could further evolve
during its life thanks to over-the-air software updates that boost its range and upgrade tech
within.
In Europe and North America Land Rover has invited owners to join the pre-order waiting
list of the Range Rover Electric but, for now, Australian buyers have not been offered an
option, suggesting the electric version of the luxury SUV might arrive later than other
markets.
Commenting following the Range Rover Electric’s arrival Geraldine Ingham, managing
director for Range Rover said: “Since going on sale in 2021 the latest generation Range
Rover has set a new benchmark for desirability. Across the globe, we’re seeing the highest
levels of client demand in our 53-year history.
“Because of this unprecedented success story, we’re now opening the official waiting list for
the opportunity to be among the first to place a pre-order for the most anticipated Range
Rover of recent times.”
