The all-electric version of the Range Rover is to be built in Britain at Land Rover’s factory in Solihull, the company has announced, as it opened a waiting list for the new zero emission vehicle.
The move follows the launch of a new £70 million underbody facility at the Lode Lane site and the development of a battery and electric drive units at JLR’s Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton.
Prototypes of the Range Rover Electric are now undergoing final testing ahead of the luxury model’s release, which is scheduled for later in 2024.
Geraldine Ingham, Range Rover managing director said: “Since going on sale in 2021 the latest generation Range Rover has set a new benchmark for desirability. Across the globe, we are seeing the highest levels of client demand in our 53-year history.”
“Because of this unprecedented success story, we are now opening the official waiting list for the opportunity to be among the first to place a pre-order for the most anticipated Range Rover of recent times.”
“Marking a new era for the Range Rover brand: the original luxury SUV is now available as an all-electric model.”
Technical details are being kept under wraps at the moment, but Land Rover says the electric Range Rover will retain the marque’s legendary go-anywhere capability, with towing and all-terrain technology surpassing that of any other luxury electric SUV.
The company said the Range Rover Electric will deliver performance comparable to a flagship Range Rover V8 and the all-terrain capability developed in-house by Land Rover experts that have been a hallmark since Range Rover’s inception in 1970.
Physical prototype testing is under way, as engineers target the quietest and most refined Range Rover ever created, with a unique active road noise cancellation configuration, sound design and level of cabin comfort.
After a year of virtual development spanning including virtual wading at speeds of 30mph, the first physical vehicles have been built.
Global on-road testing has now started, from Sweden to Dubai, in temperatures ranging from -40C to +50C with the testing programme adapted for Range Rover’s first fully electric vehicle to ensure robustness of the electric drive system, including its underfloor, battery durability, chassis integrity and vehicle dynamics tests for thermal derating.
Thomas Muller, JLR’s executive director for product engineering said: “We are on target to create the quietest and most refined Range Rover ever created.”
“The magic ingredients that underpin the success of Range Rover remain unchanged: timeless, reductionist design, a serene cabin and go-anywhere capability – but now offered with zero tailpipe emissions.”
“And as repeated throughout history, the Range Rover will continue to set the standard. The first of its type. An electric luxury SUV that can deliver on the Range Rover promise. A true global luxury product, as yet unseen in the industry.”
“Created in the heart of the United Kingdom, the Range Rover Electric will slot into the range alongside its mild hybrid and plug-in electric hybrid siblings, offering a breadth of options to meet our clients’ needs.”
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