More than half a century after the debut of the first luxury Range Rover, the British brand is opening a new chapter in its history. Range Rover Electric becomes the fully electric version of the legendary SUV, while the manufacturer aims to preserve the model’s defining qualities — a high level of comfort, luxury and serious off-road capability.
The electric Range Rover is equipped with two 260 kW electric motors. Combined output reaches 550 horsepower, while maximum torque stands at 850 Nm. This is the highest torque figure ever offered in a Range Rover. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes just 4.3 seconds.
One of the main advantages of the new model is expected to be its driving range. The electric SUV is equipped with a new dual-layer lithium battery with a usable capacity of 118.5 kWh, consisting of 344 prismatic cells.
The claimed range reaches approximately 598 km under the WLTP cycle. The company estimates a maximum real-world range of 535 km. As with other electric vehicles, actual range depends on temperature, speed, load, driving style and other conditions.
Charging: up to 220 km in 10 minutes
Range Rover Electric is built on an 800-volt electrical architecture, allowing it to use high-power charging stations. When connected to a suitable 350 kW DC fast charger, the battery can charge from 10% to 80% in around 22 minutes. At maximum available power, just 10 minutes of charging can add up to 220 km of range.
At the same time, the electric powertrain does not mean giving up the off-road capability traditionally associated with Range Rover. The Integrated Traction Management system monitors electric motor speed in just 50 milliseconds and can react to wheel slip up to 100 times faster than a comparable vehicle with an internal combustion engine.
In the new Single Pedal mode, the vehicle can make a controlled start on gradients of up to 33 degrees, while under acceleration it can climb slopes of up to 45 degrees. Maximum wading depth reaches 900 mm.
1.5 million km of testing
Before entering production, Range Rover Electric underwent an extensive testing programme. Prototypes covered more than 1.5 million km, with tests carried out in a wide range of climatic conditions — from -40°C in Sweden to the extreme heat of the Dubai desert. In total, more than 250,000 hours of physical and digital testing were completed. More than 300 patent applications were filed during development of the new model.
Production of the electric Range Rover will take place at the historic Solihull plant in the United Kingdom, where Range Rover has been manufactured since 1970.
Which Range Rover Electric versions are available
Orders for the model are already open. The current fully electric Range Rover line-up includes SE, HSE, Autobiography, First Edition, SV, SV Black and SV Ultra versions. Depending on the version, both standard and long-wheelbase configurations are available.
Thus, Range Rover’s transition to electric power is not simply a matter of replacing the engine: the manufacturer has retained its focus on luxury and comfort while also emphasising high performance, fast charging and serious off-road capability.
Range Rover Electric becomes an important part of the brand’s electric strategy and shows what a new-generation luxury electric SUV can be — with the familiar Range Rover level of comfort, but without an internal combustion engine.
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Photos: autokinito.com.cy
