Land Rover is set to make a significant splash in the electric vehicle (EV) market with their new Range Rover Electric prototype. The company hasn’t held back, revealing the camouflaged vehicle in a sleek flat black paint job. The testers have wasted no time in putting the upcoming Range Rover through its paces, taking it to Sweden’s frozen lakes for global torture testing, including drifting and snow drifts in frigid temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit.
From the early teasers, it’s clear that Land Rover aims to maintain the iconic design of their flagship model. The minimalist aesthetic remains intact, with even the grille and lower intake staying true to the traditional Range Rover look. The upper portion of the prototype’s front end is not a flat panel but rather intricately shaped to mimic its conventional counterparts. However, it’s the twin bars positioned below that hold the potential to become the EV’s unique signature, distinguishing it from its ICE-powered siblings even from a distance. Additional hints were previously given in the form of “EV” inscriptions on the wheel center caps, though these details may still be subject to change in the final production model.
While specific details about the powertrain remain limited, the Automotive News future product pipeline suggests that a dual-motor setup is likely. Land Rover has promised “V8 levels of performance,” indicating that the electric version won’t compromise on power. Given that the EV will likely be heavier than its ICE-powered counterpart, potentially exceeding 5,985 pounds, achieving a comparable feel to the 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque found in the SV trim’s BMW-sourced, twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 will be crucial. To ensure quick recharge times, Land Rover is adopting an 800-volt architecture for the battery system, promising both convenience and efficiency.
What sets this particular EV apart from others in Land Rover’s lineup is that it’s being built in-house, with the automaker taking control of the entire production process, including the battery, electric drive units, and software. This marks a departure from their previous electric offering, the Jaguar I-Pace, which relied on external suppliers for key components. By taking full ownership of the manufacturing process, Land Rover aims to ensure a seamless integration of EV technology into their flagship model.
In terms of technological advancements, Land Rover has designed software that grants each drive unit the responsibility of traction control. This eliminates the need for communication with a central processor that traditionally employs ABS to regain traction. This approach results in significantly faster response times, with torque reaction dropping from around 100 milliseconds with a processor and ABS to as little as one millisecond. BMW has also championed this approach in their upcoming electric performance cars, highlighting the benefits of such a system across the EV industry.
While an exact release date has not been confirmed, the debut of the Range Rover Electric is expected later this year. Following its launch, Land Rover plans to introduce battery-powered versions of their Defender and Velar models, likely as part of planned refreshes for their entire lineup. These upcoming electric offerings demonstrate Land Rover’s commitment to embracing sustainable technologies without compromising on their renowned performance and luxury.
