First-of-its-kind Range Rover launched in South Africa – Pricing and features

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced that the brand-new Range Rover Electric is now available to order in South Africa.

This is the very first time the luxury nameplate has been sold with an all-electric powertrain, marking an important milestone for the British carmaker.

The Range Rover Electric is quieter and more refined than previous models thanks to its new underpinnings, while also boasting more torque than any of its siblings.

“Range Rover Electric is the result of a decade of considered engineering and technological development, setting a new benchmark for The Original Luxury SUV,” said Martin Limpert, Managing Director, Range Rover.

Electric propulsion is perfectly suited to the exquisite refinement of Range Rover, elevating the sense of calm and secluded sanctuary for occupants.

Prices for the futuristic Range Rover start at R3,916,800 for the SWB EV550 HSE, making it a middle-of-the-road entry in the SUV’s lineup, costing less than the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) P460e Autobiography.

On the other end of the spectrum, buyers can opt for the top-spec LWB EV550 SV Ultra, which costs R6,035,000. All prices include an 8-year/160,000km warranty.

Range Rover’s first electric car

JLR’s new SUV is equipped with two 260kW electric motors (one over each axle), which combine to generate a whopping 404kW and 850Nm.

To put that in perspective, the P460e PHEV produces 338kW and 660Nm, while the most expensive Range Rover in South Africa, the R6,180,500 P615 SV L Ultra, puts out 452kW and 750Nm.

Powering the two e-motors is a large 118.5kWh battery, which provides a range of 598km on the WLTP scale.

The battery features 800V technology and split charging, allowing motorists to top up the cells from 10% to 80% in 22 minutes using a DC charger. It’s also possible to add 220km of range in just 10 minutes.

Despite its large size, the luxury SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds. It can also increase its speed from 80km to 120km for overtakes in as little as 2.7 seconds.

The new Range Rover is all-wheel-drive, and it can wade through up to 900mm of water thanks to its electric drivetrain.

It also features a low centre of gravity and a single-pedal driving mode with an Integrated Traction Management system that can climb slopes up to 45 degrees – the equivalent of a black diamond ski run.

The company noted that the new vehicle has undergone more than 250,000 hours of virtual testing, more than any previous Range Rover.

It has also been tested in -40°C weather in Sweden, undergone hot weather testing in Dubai’s deserts, and completed real-world testing in the UK.

“New technologies maximise its electric potential – including innovative range prediction features and advanced ThermAssist heat management system which optimises driving range, charging speeds, battery longevity and performance in extreme temperatures, adding up to 40 kilometres of range and a 40% reduction of heating energy use,” said the company.

“Over 300 patent applications have been filed for Range Rover Electric – the most for a single vehicle in the brand’s history.”

The vehicle itself is built at JLR’s Solihull manufacturing facility in the UK, which underwent a major overhaul to accommodate the new technology needed to produce the EV.

Over 9,000 employees were upskilled for the shift to an electric platform. JLR’s plant in Wolverhampton now produces battery packs and drive units for its electrified vehicles.

“Range Rover Electric production at Solihull brings together more than five decades of Range Rover manufacturing expertise with the latest electrification and advanced manufacturing technology,” said Nigel Blenkinsop, Chief Operations Officer at JLR. 

“Range Rover creates significant value across the UK and Europe. Its production in Solihull supports thousands of businesses, with more than two-thirds of supplier spend directed to UK and European suppliers.”

Range Rover Electric