The Electric Range Rover: A Silent Butler in Wellington Boots?
Image Credit: JLR.
Well, it's finally happening. After 55 years of gloriously conquering everything from muddy fields in the English countryside to valet stands in Beverly Hills, Range Rover is plugging in. That's right, the definitive, go-anywhere luxury barge is getting an all-electric version. My first thought? A mix of child-like excitement and the kind of skepticism I reserve for politicians promising free beer. Is it possible to create an electric Range Rover that's still, you know, a Range Rover? Or will it just be a two-and-a-half-ton golf cart with a fancy badge?
The first dispatches from the front lines are in, and it seems the boffins at Jaguar Land Rover have been busy. A lucky few have poked and prodded a prototype, and the big news is… it looks like a Range Rover. I know, how shocking. I thought that for their first-ever EV, JLR might have added a futuristic swoosh or a funky LED light bar. But no. Instead, we get the iconic, handsome, and unapologetically boxy shape we all know. It's a bold strategy in the age of teardrop-shaped EVs, essentially saying, "Aerodynamics are for hatchbacks." I can respect that.
Image Credit: JLR.
Inside, it's a similar story of comforting familiarity. The cabin is basically a carbon copy of the current gas-powered model, which is no bad thing. It's a gorgeous place to sit, filled with screens and just enough proper buttons to stop you from wanting to drive it into a ditch out of frustration. The only complaint I've heard is that the climate controls are a bit fiddly. Honestly, if that's the biggest interior problem in a brand-new, six-figure luxury machine, they're doing alright.
Now, let's get to the juicy bits - the electric gubbins. Underneath that familiar aluminum skin is JLR's very own dual-motor powertrain, packing a rather serious punch. We're talking a combined 542 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. That might not be enough grunt to embarrass some proper sports cars, but certainly enough to haul this stately home on wheels up a muddy embankment without breaking a sweat.
Image Credit: JLR.
Feeding those two motors is a battery pack that can only be described as colossal. At 118 kWh, it's one of the biggest you can get. The official word is that it should deliver around 300 miles of "real-world" range. And here's where my skepticism kicks in with a gentle, knowing smile. During an early test drive, our colleagues at Autocar reported having about 160 miles of range left with the battery at 50% charge. That maths works out. But then, even JLR's own engineers cheerfully admit that the vehicle's aerodynamic profile - which is roughly equivalent to a garden shed - might make 300 miles a touch optimistic on a long highway run. You don't say!
Thankfully, they've thought of that. The Range Rover Electric is built on an 800-volt architecture. For those who don't speak fluent "electric," that means it can charge at a ferocious rate. So while you might be stopping a bit more often on that cross-country road trip, your coffee breaks will be refreshingly short. It's a clever bit of engineering jujitsu: if you can't win the range war, win the charging war.
Image Credit: JLR.
Of course, a Range Rover isn't just about wafting silently around town. It has to do proper Range Rover things. Can it still tow your horse trailer or your ridiculously oversized boat? Mostly. It's rated to pull over 7,700 pounds. That's a bit less than its V8-powered sibling, but it's still more than enough for most people's weekend adventures and on par with other high-end SUVs. You can't have everything, I suppose. Adding more towing power would have meant more motors and bigger batteries, likely tipping the scales from "reassuringly heavy" to "requires truck licence."
And what about off-roading? While the early test was limited to low speeds, the electric Rangie reportedly handled a forest trail with incredible ease. It could simply "ease itself up, down, over and around everything" with the quiet confidence of a seasoned butler. The instant torque and precise control of electric motors should, in theory, make it an absolute off-road monster. It can wade through nearly three feet of water, too, which means your silent expedition won't be cut short by an unexpectedly deep puddle.
Image Credit: JLR.
For those chosen few among us who are more concerned with chauffeuring than climbing rocks, there will be a long-wheelbase version. Land Rover is aiming for rear-seat legroom that encroaches on "Bentley or Rolls-Royce territory." Combine that palatial space with a powertrain that makes less noise than a sleeping cat, and you have the ultimate recipe for serene, opulent travel. The loudest thing in the cabin will be your own breathing.
Well? The electric Range Rover looks the part, has the power, and retains its legendary dual-personality of luxury cruiser and mountain goat. What's the catch? Ah, yes. The price. While nothing is confirmed, the target is to price it similarly to the top-tier V8 Autobiography model. In human money, that's just shy of $200,000. For that kind of cash, you could buy a lovely little house in some parts of the country. But a house can't climb a mountain, can it? Despite the formidable price tag, over 61,000 people have already put their names on the waiting list. Clearly, the idea of a silent, effortlessly powerful, and properly luxurious electric SUV is a compelling one. And I have to admit, I'm one of them. It seems Range Rover has managed to teach its old dog a fantastic new trick.
