Discover the all-new 2024 Range Rover Electric, combining luxury and advanced off-road capabilities in a sleek, battery-powered design.
The highly anticipated 2024 Range Rover Electric has been spotted without camouflage as it undergoes final validation testing ahead of its winter debut. This nearly unbranded prototype reveals that the luxurious EV will closely resemble the traditional Range Rover that has become synonymous with both countryside adventures and upscale lifestyles.
Captured in our latest spy shots near a European test facility, the UK-registered but left-hand drive test car could easily be mistaken for a petrol-powered Range Rover. These images follow earlier official photos of prototypes enduring extreme cold temperatures as low as -40°C. The Range Rover BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) subtly hints at its zero-emissions nature, featuring a streamlined grille and new aerodynamic alloy wheels with EV-branded center caps. Although there was internal debate over making the EV’s design more distinctive, subtlety ultimately prevailed.
Switching to an electric powertrain promises to enhance Land Rover’s legendary off-road capabilities. The BEV’s electric motors provide precise control and rapid response times, allowing for millisecond adjustments in torque distribution at each wheel—far faster than the 100 milliseconds required by traditional ABS systems. This advanced calibration work, tested in the harsh Arctic Circle, ensures smoother and more efficient off-road performance.
The Electric Drive Units (EDUs), which include the motor, transmission, and power electronics, have been meticulously developed at JLR’s new £250 million Future Energy Lab in Coventry. These units will also be assembled in-house, along with the battery pack, ensuring the highest standards of quality and innovation.
In a unique twist, JLR’s engineers are utilizing used plug-in hybrid batteries to recharge the Range Rover BEV during testing in remote locations. A start-up company, Allye Energy, has repurposed seven existing batteries from Range Rover and Sport PHEVs to create a mobile Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capable of storing 270kWh—enough to power an average UK household for nearly a month. This 3.5-tonne mobile unit can recharge Range Rover Electric prototypes in areas without charging infrastructure, reducing vehicle downtime and lowering CO2 emissions by eliminating the need for diesel generators.
As the launch date approaches, the Range Rover Electric is shaping up to be a game-changer in the luxury EV market. The vehicle is expected to offer an impressive range of nearly 400 miles, making it one of the longest-range EVs available. With an 800-volt architecture, it will also support ultra-fast charging, allowing drivers to quickly top up their battery.
Land Rover’s first fully electric vehicle will embody the brand’s commitment to providing a seamless electric ownership experience. This includes effortless charging, strategic energy partnerships, over-the-air software updates, and intelligent technology to maximize range. Despite the addition of large batteries and advanced features, the Range Rover Electric’s weight will be comparable to its combustion-engine counterpart, thanks to the absence of a bulky six- or eight-cylinder engine and related components.
Engineered from the ground up as an electric vehicle, the Range Rover Electric’s MLA Flex platform was designed with batteries in mind, allowing for flexible production alongside hybrid and combustion models at the Solihull factory. This adaptability ensures that Land Rover can respond to varying market demands as EV adoption accelerates globally.
Thomas Müller, JLR’s executive director of product engineering, highlighted the brand’s ambitious goals: “We are on target to create the quietest and most refined Range Rover ever made. The magic ingredients that have always defined Range Rover—timeless, reductionist design, a serene cabin, and go-anywhere capability—will now be offered with zero tailpipe emissions.”
The 2024 Range Rover Electric is poised to make a significant impact in the luxury EV market, offering discerning buyers the perfect blend of sophistication, performance, and sustainability. As the world’s wealthiest car buyers eagerly await its arrival, the Range Rover Electric is expected to set new standards in the luxury electric vehicle segment.
