Range Rover Sport Electric goes on sale with 374-mile range
Range Rover Sport Electric is now available to order in the UK, marking the first time the performance SUV has been offered with fully electric propulsion. Priced from £109,810 on the road, it joins the plug-in hybrid, petrol and diesel versions in the Range Rover Sport line-up. Built in Solihull on the same production lines as its combustion and PHEV siblings, it promises a WLTP range of up to 374 miles, ultra-rapid charging and the most torque of any Range Rover Sport.
Performance tuned for the driver
Two 260kW electric motors deliver up to 550PS and 850Nm of torque, and torque ramps up 50 per cent faster than in the Range Rover Electric. In Dynamic Launch Mode, the SUV can sprint from 0-60mph in as little as 4.3 seconds, matching the P540 V8-powered Range Rover Sport.
The structure has been reworked to suit. The new model has a body that is 61 per cent stiffer and a centre of gravity 73mm lower than any other Range Rover Sport. A suite of chassis technologies builds on that foundation, including Adaptive Dynamics, which monitors 100 parameters 500 times per second to control body roll and pitch during cornering and braking. Twin Valve Dampers and Dynamic Air Suspension work alongside electronic Active Roll Control, which can apply up to 1,400Nm of force across each axle, and All-Wheel Steering. Those last two systems are standard on 550PS models.
Martin Limpert, Managing Director of Range Rover, said: “Range Rover Sport is the most dynamic expression of Range Rover. With Range Rover Sport Electric we’re taking that spirit of visceral engagement and desire into the electric age. It is first and foremost a Range Rover Sport. The seamlessly-integrated electric propulsion system means we’ve been able to unlock new levels of responsiveness and precision, with a uniquely tuned chassis set-up, performance-focused torque delivery, and distinctive sound profiles that ensure our clients enjoy the very best driver engagement in a sporting luxury SUV.”
Sound design and driver engagement
Range Rover’s engineers also developed a bespoke sound design for the electric model, layering simple tones that blur the lines between music and engineering. The acoustic signature is intended to encourage drivers to engage with the various drive modes. Development work included time at the Magarigawa Club’s private track near Tokyo, a first for the programme.
Matt Becker, Vehicle Engineering Director at Range Rover, said: “Range Rover Sport Electric represents an evolution in the dynamic character of Range Rover Sport, with an even greater emphasis on driver engagement and sporting response. The stiffer architecture and lower centre of gravity, combined with precise torque control and advanced chassis technologies, creates a vehicle with sharper responses, greater agility and increased confidence. It feels smaller, more planted and more responsive than you would imagine. All without sacrificing refinement, comfort or breadth of capability.”
Proven in the Carrara marble quarries
To mark what the brand calls a pivotal moment in the Range Rover Sport’s 20-year history, the electric model completed its final test between the 3,000ft peaks of open-air Carrara marble quarries in Italy. The challenge continues a tradition of pioneering tests that has seen the Range Rover Sport conquer the 14,110ft Pikes Peak Hill Climb in record time, climb the 999 steps to Heaven’s Gate in China and scale an Icelandic spillway.
Cresting Gioia Peak, which sits atop the most expensive marble in the world, meant tackling extreme temperatures, gradients of up to 45 degrees and surfaces ranging from polished marble to deep coatings of fine marble dust. Intelligent Traction Management and virtual all-wheel drive helped maintain control, while All-Wheel Steering allowed the SUV to sweep through tight hairpins without reversing. Land Rover says the model can wade through up to 900mm of water. The test was carried out by a professional driver under controlled conditions.
Range and rapid charging
Power comes from a 118.5kWh lithium-ion battery in a high-strength aluminium enclosure, integrated into the MLA-Flex architecture. Range Rover quotes up to 374 miles on the WLTP cycle and a real-world range of up to 333 miles, which should be enough for many drivers to complete daily journeys without recharging.
An 800V electrical architecture and split-charging technology support rapid DC charging away from home. The SUV can add up to 136 miles of range in as little as 10 minutes, or charge from 10 to 80 per cent in around 22 minutes, when charging at its maximum rate. An aerodynamically optimised grille and new alloy wheel designs contribute up to 10 extra miles of motorway range. The new Range Rover App lets drivers locate and schedule charging, and an optional home charger is available.
Battery safety and ownership
For fleet and business users weighing up long-term costs, the ownership package is worth noting. The battery carries an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty, and each car comes with a Battery Digital Twin, which lets Range Rover proactively maintain vehicles through JLR’s Software Over the Air capability. JLR’s new battery testing laboratory also subjects live batteries to extreme multi-axis vibration and shock testing at temperatures from -40C to +90C.
Specifications, pricing and personalisation
The Range Rover Sport Electric is available in Dynamic SE, Autobiography and First Edition specifications. All are EV550 models, priced from £109,810, £122,780 and £126,290 respectively on the road. The First Edition is finished in Zadar Grey with Satin Wrap, a black contrast roof and 22-inch alloy wheels, while an optional Black Pack and Satin Wrap add a more stealthy look. Autobiography customers can also use the Range Rover Bespoke commissioning service, which offers near-limitless paint colours, elevated material finishes and personalised touches such as unique embroidery.
Order books are open now, with further details at rangerover.com.