Range Rover Electric Prototype Revealed: Testing in Arctic Circle
New Delhi: JLR has unveiled the Range Rover EV prototype as it enters the final stages of testing in the Arctic Circle ahead of its anticipated global debut later this year. The electric Range Rover is poised to hit multiple markets, including India, where JLR has already initiated a “waiting list” for the SUV. With over 16,000 expressions of interest received since December last year, anticipation is high for this groundbreaking electric SUV.
Key Highlights and Testing
The latest images reveal JLR’s second production EV being put through rigorous testing in the Arctic Circle, enduring temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius. Unlike typical prototypes, the Range Rover EV is showcased without any camouflage, emphasizing the build quality of the initial prototypes. Painted entirely in black and lacking distinctive matt trim elements, the prototype closely resembles the conventional ICE Range Rover models currently on sale.
Design and Performance
JLR emphasizes that the Range Rover Electric maintains the modernist design language synonymous with the Range Rover bloodline, suggesting minimal differentiation from its combustion-engine counterparts. While specific technical details remain undisclosed, the electric SUV is expected to feature an 800V charging architecture and a dual-motor system for enhanced four-wheel-drive capability and off-road performance.
Manufacturing Plans and EV Strategy
The Range Rover Electric will be manufactured alongside mild-hybrid and PHEV variants at the Solihull plant in the UK. Initial battery supply will come from third-party suppliers, with plans to transition to packs produced in Tata’s new gigafactory in Somerset. Additionally, JLR’s parent company, Tata Motors, is set to invest in an EV plant in Tamil Nadu, India, potentially producing Jaguar Land Rover EVs and relocating some ICE model production to India in response to evolving EU and UK legislation.
As JLR continues to push forward with its electrification strategy, the Range Rover Electric represents a significant milestone in the brand’s journey towards sustainable mobility and underscores its commitment to innovation and technological advancement.
