Land Rover is heralding a new era for its iconic Range Rover, transitioning the model to electric power after decades dominated by internal combustion engines. The forthcoming electric Range Rover will coexist with traditional gasoline versions, offering comparable performance to a V-8 engine but with no carbon emissions. Recent releases reveal the vehicle in full, showing a design that mirrors its gasoline-powered siblings, suggesting a seamless aesthetic transition to electric.
Simultaneously, Mercedes is poised to unveil the electric version of its rugged G-Class at Auto China 2024 in Beijing. This model retains the visual cues of its combustion engine predecessors. In contrast, the electric Range Rover has been rigorously tested under extreme weather conditions, from the frigid -40 degrees Fahrenheit of the Arctic Circle to the scorching 122 degrees Fahrenheit of the Middle East.
Labelled as the most silent and luxurious Range Rover to date, this model boasts an innovative traction control system that enhances stability and handling on icy surfaces, like those in Sweden’s frozen lakes. This system, a significant upgrade from traditional ABS-based systems, manages wheel slip at each individual motor, slashing torque response times to a mere millisecond.
The vehicle also incorporates advanced software to reduce ABS usage, ensuring a smoother ride even on challenging, slippery terrains. Powering this quiet giant is a new, proprietary all-electric drivetrain developed by Land Rover, expected to deliver over 500 horsepower, potentially surpassing the 523 hp offered by its current BMW-derived 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8.
Anticipation also surrounds the vehicle’s dual-motor configuration, integral for maintaining four-wheel drive capabilities, a hallmark of the Range Rover brand. Not to be outdone, the electric G-Class will likely feature a quad-motor system.
True to its heritage, the electric Range Rover is designed to navigate through 33.4 inches of water and sits on the Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA) that supports its combustion engine models. It also incorporates an 800-volt system to enable rapid charging.
Set to be the second electric offering from Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) after the Jaguar I-Pace, the electric Range Rover will be built in Solihull, UK, marking a significant step in JLR’s commitment to eliminating tailpipe emissions by 2036. With Jaguar leading the shift towards a fully electric lineup, this move represents a critical pivot for the brand in an increasingly eco-conscious market.
