Range Rover Sport Electric opens for NZ orders with 609km range
Words: Kyle Cassidy
The first fully electric Range Rover Sport is now available to order in New Zealand, offering up to 609km of WLTP range and acceleration to match the P530 V8.
Available in Dynamic SE and Autobiography specifications, the new EV joins the existing petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid range. New Zealand pricing and delivery timing are still TBA.
The headline performance version produces approximately 405kW and 850Nm, the highest torque output of any Range Rover Sport. With Dynamic Launch Mode engaged, it can reach 100km/h in a claimed 4.5 seconds.
Big battery, quick charging
The Sport Electric packages a 118.5kWh lithium-ion battery and two 260kW electric motors within Range Rover’s MLA-Flex architecture. Combined system output is lower than the motors’ individual ratings added together, topping out at the quoted 550PS, or approximately 405kW.
An 800-volt electrical system and split-charging technology support a claimed 10–80 per cent recharge in around 22 minutes. At its maximum charging rate, the vehicle can add enough energy for up to 220km of driving in ten minutes.
Alongside the maximum 609km WLTP figure, Range Rover quotes up to 533km from its own standardised real-world testing. Actual range will depend on conditions, wheel choice, load and driving style.
The battery carries an eight-year/160,000km warranty, while a system called ThermAssist manages heat to help optimise efficiency.
Lower, stiffer and more responsive
Range Rover says the electric Sport has a 61 per cent stiffer body structure and a centre of gravity 73mm lower than the plug-in hybrid versions.
Its torque delivery has also been tuned for a sportier response, building 50 per cent faster than in the larger Range Rover Electric.
Dynamic Air Suspension, twin-valve dampers and Adaptive Dynamics work together to control body movement. The latter monitors 100 parameters 500 times per second, adjusting the vehicle’s responses during cornering and braking.
Dynamic Response Pro combines electronic active roll control with all-wheel steering. It is standard on 550PS versions and optional on lower-output 450PS models, equivalent to approximately 331kW. The release doesn’t detail how those outputs align with the New Zealand grades.
The active roll-control system can apply up to 1400Nm of torque across each axle, while all-wheel steering helps the sizeable SUV negotiate tighter turns.
“It feels smaller, more planted and more responsive than you would imagine. All without sacrificing refinement, comfort or breadth of capability,” says Range Rover vehicle engineering director Matt Becker.
Off-road ability stays on the agenda
The electric powertrain hasn’t displaced the Sport’s all-terrain brief. Range Rover claims a 900mm wading capability and the ability to climb 45-degree slopes, supported by virtual all-wheel drive and specially calibrated Intelligent Traction Management.
The final development demonstration took place in Italy’s Carrara marble quarries, where the vehicle encountered steep gradients, polished stone and loose marble dust. The wider testing programme also included Japan’s Magarigawa Club circuit near Tokyo.
Visual changes are restrained, with an aerodynamically optimised grille and alloy wheels identifying the electric model. Range Rover says these improvements can contribute up to 16km of additional range at motorway speeds.
Engineers have also created distinctive sound profiles to accompany the driving modes.
Autobiography buyers can access the Range Rover Bespoke commissioning service, extending the choice of paint colours, cabin finishes and personalised details such as embroidery.
The Sport Electric will be manufactured at Solihull in the UK on the same production lines as its combustion and plug-in hybrid counterparts.
