RANGE ROVER ENTERS ITS ELECTRIC ERA
words by FELICITY CARTER
The first fully electric Range Rover offers up to 372 miles of range, rapid charging and more torque than any model before it. Crucially, it remains every inch a Range Rover.
Range Rover has gone electric, although not at the expense of the qualities that made it such a fixture of British roads, country estates and rather smart city streets. Built in Solihull, the first Range Rover Electric promises a quieter drive, quicker responses and more torque than any previous model.
Two electric motors produce up to 550PS and 850Nm of torque, taking the car from 0 to 60mph in 4.3 seconds. Its 118.5kWh battery offers up to 372 miles of range under official testing, or an estimated 333 miles in real-world conditions. Connected to a 350kW public charger, it can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in around 22 minutes, while a ten-minute stop can add up to 137 miles.
Martin Limpert, managing director of Range Rover, says, “Electric propulsion is perfectly suited to the exquisite refinement of Range Rover, elevating the sense of calm and secluded sanctuary for occupants.” The brand describes its approach as “a Range Rover first and electric second”, which seems a sensible way to go about things. The familiar silhouette remains, and it's joined by a new grille, wheels and underbody designed to improve aerodynamics and make the battery last longer on the motorway.
Going electric does not mean it has gone soft, either -- the car can wade through water up to 900mm deep and tackle slopes of up to 45 degrees, while a new traction system responds to changes in grip within 50 milliseconds. Single-pedal driving offers more control on steep or uneven ground, and a lower centre of gravity and air suspension help keep things composed on the road.
Range Rover Electric has covered more than 1.5 million kilometres during testing -- that's the equivalent of travelling around the world 38 times, and not only that, it's been driven in temperatures ranging from minus 40°C in northern Sweden to the heat of the Dubai desert.
It's also worth mentioning that when it comes to innovation, more than 300 patent applications have been filed for the model, including technology covering its battery, motors and temperature management. Owners can also use the Range Rover app to check the car’s location, remaining charge and estimated range, schedule charging and prepare the cabin before setting off. The car will be made at Range Rover’s Solihull factory, where the marque has built vehicles since 1970.
Available in short and long-wheelbase versions, Range Rover Electric comes in Autobiography, SV, SV Black and SV Ultra specifications; there's also a First Edition in Belgravia Green, Santorini Black or Varesine Blue, with a pale Light Cloud interior made using Ultrafabrics and Kvadrat materials.
