Range Rover Electric Tested In Extreme Conditions Ahead Of 2025 Debut
The EV prototypes survived temperatures ranging from to –40°C (-40°F) in the Arctic Circle to +50°C (122°F) in the deserts of the Middle East
November 29, 2024 at 06:49
- The Range Rover Electric looks nearly identical to the mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid models.
- It is equipped with an “Intelligent Torque Management” system, significantly reducing wheel slip.
- JLR will be assembling the electric motors and battery pack for the Range Rover Electric themselves.
Update 11/28: Land Rover showed Range Rover Electric prototypes without camouflage during testing in the desert, following earlier tests in icy conditions.
Unlike most automakers, which typically release cryptic teasers or reveal camouflaged prototypes, Land Rover surprised us by showcasing uncamouflaged prototypes of the Range Rover Electric. Following cold weather testing in the Arctic Circle, the company completed hot weather testing in the United Arab Emirates, highlighting the EV’s resilience to extreme conditions.
The prototypes look nearly identical to the ICE-powered Range Rover that has been around since 2022. The only exception is the grille that appears to be a provisional component. This will likely be replaced by a uniquely-designed grille on the production version, which is set to arrive in 2025.
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The Range Rover Electric will be JLR’s second fully electric production model after the Jaguar I-Pace. The goal is for the EV to match the performance and signature off-road credentials of the combustion Range Rovers, which is why the new powertrain has been tested on different types of terrains and weather conditions.
Pre-production prototypes of the SUV have been exposed to temperatures ranging from –40°C (-40°F) in the frozen lakes of the Arctic Circle to +50°C (122°F) in deserts of the Middle East, ensuring the durability and stable performance of the all-electric underpinnings, while testing its thermal management system to the extreme.
The teasers highlight the “Intelligent Torque Management” system, with an individual electric drive control unit managing the slip on each wheel. Thanks to JLR’s “innovative software”, the new system is much faster than the traditional ABS-based setups, reducing the torque reaction time at each wheel from around 100 milliseconds to 1 millisecond.
Land Rover says that in combination with the the stability control and chassis systems, the new setup will maximize traction on all surfaces and “significantly” enhance the Range Rover drive experience. The EV will also feature a “well‑balanced weight distribution” and an “advanced suspension system”, contributing to its off-road credentials.
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The new model will ride on the Modular Longitudinal Architecture. The company has not given away any information about the power output of the electric powertrain or the capacity of the battery. However, it has been officially confirmed that the Range Rover Electric will use an 800 Volt architecture and will offer V8-levels of performance.
The company has also promised that the Range Rover Electric will surpass any other luxury electric SUV in terms of towing, wading, and all-terrain capabilities.
Production of the Range Rover Electric will take place in the UK, next to the mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. As reported by Autocar, it will initially use battery packs from other suppliers before switching to in-house assembled units.
While we don’t have a set date for the debut, Land Rover has opened a waiting list for the EV since late 2023, and said it will welcome client reservations in 2025.
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