• First Range Rover EV due to be unveiled later this year and delivered early 2026

By ROB HULL, MOTORING EDITOR

Updated:

The first all-electric Range Rover is undergoing the final stages of its development ahead of its official unveiling later this year, with bosses saying it will emerge as the 'most capable luxury SUV' on the planet.

The British brand has just completed a second gruelling winter programme in the Arctic Circle, with its prototypes covering some 45,000 miles across frozen lakes and tracks.

The sub-zero conditions are seen as the ideal testbed for its advanced thermal management system, which regulates the temperature of the batteries and e-motors to maximise the available range.

The frozen lake tracks also provided 'invaluable testing conditions for dynamics, including single pedal driving capability and switchable, twin-chamber air-suspension,' the Tata-owned company said.

The Range Rover Electric is expected to be revealed in production form towards the end of this year, with first deliveries arriving in early 2026. 

While little information has yet been divulged on its performance statistics or price, the company has confirmed it will be equipped with a 117kWh battery pack. Here's what that means in terms of miles between charges... 

The eagerly anticipated Range Rover Electric has just completed its second winter season of development in the Arctic Circle ahead of its unveiling this year - here's what we know about it

The eagerly anticipated Range Rover Electric has just completed its second winter season of development in the Arctic Circle ahead of its unveiling this year - here's what we know about it 

Why is Land Rover testing it in the Arctic Circle? 

The icy conditions of Arjeplog, Sweden, where the Range Rover has spent the last few months is the optimum environment for the brand's engineers to validate the Range Rover Electric’s 'ThermAssist' technology. 

This is an advanced on-board thermal management system designed to reduce heating energy consumption by up to 40 per cent, essentially meaning it can charge and drive more efficiently.

It aims to recover heat to warm the electric drivetrain and the cabin's ambient temperatures so that its well-heeled customers don't feel the freeze when it plummets as low as -10C.

Thomas Müller, executive director for product engineering at JLR, explains: 'Rigorous testing procedures in extreme and unpredictable conditions like those experienced in Arjeplog are crucial to Range Rover Electric's real-world reliability and resilience. 

'Our second winter season in the Arctic Circle has provided the perfect opportunity for us to put our new ThermAssist technology to the test, and it has surpassed our expectations. 

'It will help to ensure Range Rover Electric’s range remains intelligently optimised while also ensuring charging speeds are maintained when a top-up is required.'

The British brand has just completed a second gruelling winter programme in the Arctic Circle, with its prototypes covering some 45,000 miles across frozen lakes and tracks

The British brand has just completed a second gruelling winter programme in the Arctic Circle, with its prototypes covering some 45,000 miles across frozen lakes and tracks

The sub-zero conditions are seen as the ideal testbed for its advanced thermal management system, which regulates the temperature of the batteries and e-motors to maximise the available range

The sub-zero conditions are seen as the ideal testbed for its advanced thermal management system, which regulates the temperature of the batteries and e-motors to maximise the available range

The tough winter terrains have been used to hone the Range Rover EV's switchable twin-chamber air suspension, which has been tuned to take into account the considerable increase in bulk due to the addition of its large battery pack, and the all-wheel-drive system

The tough winter terrains have been used to hone the Range Rover EV's switchable twin-chamber air suspension, which has been tuned to take into account the considerable increase in bulk due to the addition of its large battery pack, and the all-wheel-drive system

JLR's dedicated test team has also been fine-tuning the Range Rover Electric's single-pedal driving characteristics - which will set it apart from the conventional combustion Rangie.

Once the driver comes off the throttle, the regenerative system will slow the car while sending energy back into the battery - this is a typical feature of all electric cars. 

However, Land Rover has combined it with its 'Terrain Response' system, meaning the EV can come to a complete stop and engage the Hill Hold assist without the driver ever needing to apply the brakes.

The tough terrains have also been complimentary for testing the SUV's switchable twin-chamber air suspension, which has been tuned to take into account the considerable increase in bulk due to the addition of its large battery pack, and the all-wheel-drive system. 

Matt Becker, vehicle engineering director, says that by increasing its torsional stiffness of the electric luxury SUV, his team has maintained the 'customary Range Rover driving experience' that promises to 'feel familiar' to existing customers. 

'We have delivered on this promise by marrying all the essential Range Rover elements with new and advanced technologies,' he added.

JLR even shipped out an example of each generation of Range Rover that came before this one to use as reference points for its driving characteristics.

Four models spanning back to the 1970 original were used for comparison purposes.

The Range Rover's second season in the Arctic Circle has seen extreme cold tests flank an extended period last year where the prototypes were being honed in the United Arab Emirates in temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius with humidity levels of 90 per cent. 

The company's vehicle engineering director claims the EV retains the 'customary Range Rover driving experience' and promises to 'feel familiar' to existing customers

The company's vehicle engineering director claims the EV retains the 'customary Range Rover driving experience' and promises to 'feel familiar' to existing customers

JLR even shipped out to Sweden an example of each generation of Range Rover that came before this one to use as reference points for the EV's characteristics

JLR even shipped out to Sweden an example of each generation of Range Rover that came before this one to use as reference points for the EV's characteristics

Four models spanning back to the 1970 original were used for comparison purposes

Four models spanning back to the 1970 original were used for comparison purposes

Electric Range Rover: New powertrain; same look

JLR isn't leaving anything to the imagination ahead of the full reveal of its Range Rover EV.

Images of its test mules performing in the Arctic Circle show them completely uncamouflaged – a stark contrast to how the company usually treats its prototypes ahead of their reveal.

JLR said the decision to provide a glimpse of the vehicle without disguise is to 'underline the build quality of the initial prototypes'.

But that's not to say you can spot many differences to the conventional Range Rover that's been on sale since 2022.

While it might look the same as the petrol/diesel Range Rover on sale since 2022, the EV is a major step for JLR as it looks to accelerate its shift to battery power

While it might look the same as the petrol/diesel Range Rover on sale since 2022, the EV is a major step for JLR as it looks to accelerate its shift to battery power

The EV version looks almost identical to the Range Rover already in showrooms - bar what looks like a tweaked grille design, the lack of exhausts and the flap that slides across to reveal the charging socket, seen here during its first Artic Circle testing in 2023-24

The EV version looks almost identical to the Range Rover already in showrooms - bar what looks like a tweaked grille design, the lack of exhausts and the flap that slides across to reveal the charging socket, seen here during its first Artic Circle testing in 2023-24

Finished in black paint, the EV version looks almost identical to the vehicle already in showrooms - bar what appears to be a tweaked grille design, the lack of exhausts and the flap that slides across to reveal the charging socket.

The brand says the 'modernist design language' stays true to the 'Range Rover bloodline'.

The underbody is also likely to be tweaked to improve aerodynamic efficiency - this extending battery range - though won't be an obvious giveaway for the green drivetrain bolted above. 

Bosses at the British marque have previously stated the electric Rangie will offer 'comparable' performance to the existing V8 model, which suggests it should have in the region of 520bhp 

JLR says the Range Rover Electric is undertaking extreme temperature testing to ensure the drivetrain and battery and cope with varying conditions

What's the battery range?

JLR has remained tight lipped on many of the performance details for the Range Rover Electric, until now.

We already know that it will use an 800V architecture, which will put it on par with the likes of Porsche's Taycan, Kia's EV6 and EV9 SUV, Hyundai's Ioniq range and the Lotus Eletre, to offer the fastest ultra-rapid charging speeds.

However, the revelation this week that it will use a 117kWh battery does provide some indication of what its range could be.

Mercedes-Benz's equally hulking EQS SUV incorporates a 118kWh battery pack and is good for a claimed range of 337 miles. This will likely be treated as a benchmark for the Range Rover Electric. 

It says its 117kWh battery is 'fully encased and smartly packaged, consisting of 344 prismatic cells in a double-stacked layout'. 

Bosses at the British marque have stated it will offer 'comparable' performance to the existing V8 model, which suggests it should have in the region of 520bhp.

And it's promised to be the smoothest, quietest Range Rover yet, given its electric credentials.

Initially, the batteries will be supplied by a third-party company.

However, following the completion of JLR's £4billion Somerset gigafactory - funded by parent group Tata and scheduled to open in 2026 - the company will be able to start using its own batteries. 

JLR is desperate for the Range Rover Electric to 'exceed its already renowned performance on low-grip surfaces' in a bid to ensure the 'all-terrain, all-weather and all-surface capability of the Range Rover remains unparallelled'

JLR is desperate for the Range Rover Electric to 'exceed its already renowned performance on low-grip surfaces' in a bid to ensure the 'all-terrain, all-weather and all-surface capability of the Range Rover remains unparallelled' 

JLR has also been testing the Range Rover Electric in the UAE in temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius with humidity levels of 90%. No pricing information has been provided, but expect it to far exceed the £105,675 for the entry Range Rover on sale now

JLR has also been testing the Range Rover Electric in the UAE in temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius with humidity levels of 90%. No pricing information has been provided, but expect it to far exceed the £105,675 for the entry Range Rover on sale now

How much will it cost? 

The Range Rover Electric will be built in Britain at the company's Solihull plant - where it will be assembled alongside the existing mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid Range Rover models. 

JLR opened the waiting list for Range Rover Electric in December and by February claimed to have taken more than 16,000 'expressions of interest' - though these aren't necessarily orders.

In fact, JLR says 'client reservations' will be open from the end of this year, with first deliveries likely coming early in 2026. 

Until the car is officially unveiled, pricing will remain under wraps. 

However, given the combustion engine Range Rover starts at £105,675, the all-electric model could ring in around £130,000.

The British car maker has promised it will be 'the most capable electric luxury SUV' when it does arrive. 

CARS & MOTORING: ON TEST

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