- The fully electric version of the Range Rover looks identical to the mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid models.
- It will use a new type of traction control system, set to significantly reduce the torque reaction time at each wheel.
- JLR will be assembling the electric motors and battery pack for the Range Rover Electric themselves.
Unlike most automakers, which typically release cryptic teasers or reveal camouflaged prototypes, Land surprised us by showcasing the upcoming Range Rover Electric without any camouflage. The official photos and video were shot during cold weather testing in the Arctic Circle, suggesting that the EV will look virtually identical to the ICE-powered versions.
The Range Rover Electric will be JLR’s second fully electric production model after the Jaguar I-Pace. The goal is for the EV to match the performance and signature off-road credentials of the combustion Range Rovers, which is why the new powertrain has been tested on different types of terrains and extreme weather conditions.
More: New Range Rover Electric SUV Takes Aim At Porsche Macan EV
Pre-production prototypes of the electric SUV have been exposed to temperatures ranging from –40°C (-40°F) in the frozen lakes of the Arctic Circle to +50°C (122°F) in deserts of the Middle East, ensuring the durability and stable performance of the all-electric underpinnings.
The teaser highlights a new traction control system which with each individual electric drive control unit managing the wheel slip. Thanks to JLR’s “innovative software”, the new system is much faster than the traditional ABS-based setups, reducing the torque reaction time at each wheel from around 100 milliseconds to 1 millisecond.
Land Rover says that in combination with the the stability control and chassis systems, the new setup will maximize traction on all surfaces and “significantly” enhance the Range Rover drive experience.
The company has not given away any information about the power output of the electric powertrain or the capacity of the battery. However, it has been officially confirmed that the Range Rover Electric will use an 800 Volt architecture, and will offer V8-levels of performance.
Land Rover has also promised that the Range Rover Electric will surpass any other luxury electric SUV in terms of towing, wading, and all-terrain capabilities.
The new model will ride on the Modular Longitudinal Architecture, with the battery and electric drive unit to be assembled in-house. Production of the Range Rover Electric will take place in the UK next to the mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.
While we don’t have a set date for the debut, Land Rover opened a waiting list for the EV on December 2023, receiving over 16,000 expressions of interest by February 2024.
