Land Rover has opened South African order books for the Range Rover Sport Electric, the first fully electric version of its performance SUV. Local buyers can order it in Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography and First Edition specifications. It sits alongside the existing plug-in hybrid, petrol and diesel Range Rover Sport models.
Range Rover Sport Electric motors and chassis
Two 260kW electric motors produce a combined 404kW and 850Nm, the most torque of any Range Rover Sport. In Dynamic Launch Mode the SUV reaches 100km/h from rest in as little as 4.3 seconds, matching the P530 V8 model, and its torque builds 50 per cent faster than in the Range Rover Electric. The body structure is 61 per cent stiffer and the centre of gravity 73mm lower than in the plug-in hybrid versions. It is built in Solihull, UK, on the same production lines as the PHEV, petrol and diesel models.
The chassis uses Dynamic Air Suspension, Twin Valve Dampers, All-Wheel Steering and electronic Active Roll Control, which can apply up to 1 400Nm of force across each axle. Adaptive Dynamics monitors 100 parameters 500 times per second to control body roll and pitch. Virtual all-wheel drive and Intelligent Traction Management support off-road use, with a wading depth of up to 900mm and the ability to climb 45-degree inclines. Matt Becker, Vehicle Engineering Director, Range Rover, said the vehicle “feels smaller, more planted and more responsive than you would imagine”.
Battery, range and charging
A 118.5kWh lithium-ion battery gives a WLTP range of up to 609km and a real-world range of up to 535 kilometres. Its 800-volt architecture with split charging allows rapid DC chargers to add up to 220km in as little as 10 minutes, or charge from 10-80 per cent in around 22 minutes. The aerodynamically optimised grille and alloy wheels add up to 16 extra kilometres of range at motorway speeds.
Testing in Italian marble quarries
Final testing took place between the 914-metre peaks of the Carrara marble quarries in Italy, including the Gioia Peak, on surfaces ranging from polished marble to fine dust. The development programme also visited the Magarigawa Club’s private track near Tokyo, Japan. Engineers developed a dedicated sound design that changes with the drive modes.
Range Rover Sport Electric specifications and warranty
The First Edition comes in Zadar Grey with Satin Wrap, a black contrast roof and 22-inch alloy wheels, while a Black Pack and Satin Wrap are optional. Autobiography buyers can use the Range Rover Bespoke commissioning service. Each vehicle has a Battery Digital Twin for proactive maintenance via Software Over the Air, and the battery carries an eight-year or 160 000km warranty. The Range Rover Sport Electric is available to order now at www.rangerover.com, and the release does not include South African pricing.
Supplied by MotorPress (Nomaswazi Nkosi, PR Specialist, Land Rover South Africa)
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