This Is The Electric Range Rover Before You’re Supposed To See It

One of the most iconic premium SUVs and the model that basically invented this segment, the Range Rover, is about to step into the future with a battery-electric derivative. Hey, don’t judge too much, as multiple models from other companies have already taken this step, including Mercedes’ G-Wagen.

We already knew that Jaguar Land Rover plans to launch an electric version of the Range Rover. The British automaker released a few details about it earlier this year, followed by a few teasers revealing the vehicle’s almost identical design to its ICE-powered counterparts. Fast forward to the present day, and we have the first spy shots of this model.Our spy photographers managed to nab this prototype while it was undergoing hot weather testing in Southern Europe. It had British license plates and a UK sticker on the left-hand side of the tailgate, yet it was a left-hand drive model. More stickers reveal its pre-production nature and battery-electric guts, and if you have any doubts that it might not be an EV, just look at the grille.

This component features a closed-off design, as there is no internal combustion unit to feed air to behind it. Moreover, the car had no tailpipes whatsoever and an EV sticker on the rear windshield. The wheels are quite small compared to the OEM offering of this model and were wrapped in chunky tires. However, we don’t expect these alloys and rubber to make their way to the production variant, which will utilize Pirelli rayon tires.

As you can imagine, details surrounding the ‘oily’ bits are unknown. However, we can tell you that the Range Rover Electric will build on the MLA (Modular Longitudinal Architecture). Does this sound familiar? Well, it’s the same platform used by the regular Range Rover, and it’s also the foundation stone of the smaller Range Rover Sport. The construction supports internal combustion units, electrified powertrains, and battery-electric assemblies.

Given that it uses familiar underpinnings, we don’t expect the all-quiet Range Rover to behave that differently from the regular ICE-powered versions on the go. Sure, it will be a bit heavier, but overall, it should offer a similar driving experience. JLR also announced that it will benefit from an advanced traction control system that reacts roughly 100 times faster than the usual setup, so the off-roading prowess should still be on deck.

Nevertheless, you wouldn’t want to wander that much off the lit path, as you will eventually run out of juice. Plus, you shouldn’t do that without a few modifications that would include at least a set of proper tires. We expect Land Rover to unveil the Range Rover Electric in a few months, though that’s our two cents, as the model could be due sooner or later.