The New Range Rover Sport Electric Is Here: Two Motors, 550 HP and Virtual AWD

The new Range Rover Sport Electric has officially made its debut. The SUV uses two electric motors, delivers impressive off-road capability and is designed to provide the kind of premium comfort expected from a Range Rover.

The new Range Rover Sport Electric is the second all-electric SUV from Jaguar Land Rover. It uses two electric motors, one mounted on each axle, with each motor producing up to 353 horsepower. Combined output reaches 550 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. That is enough to propel the SUV from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.3 seconds.

The new Range Rover Sport is equipped with a 118.5-kWh battery pack housed in a high-strength aluminum casing. Range is rated at up to 378 miles, although that figure drops to about 333 miles under real-world conditions. A 10-minute charging session can add roughly 137 miles of range.

Compared with the hybrid Range Rover Sport, the new electric model has a body that is 61% stiffer, while its center of gravity sits about 2.9 inches lower. Those changes help improve stability. The SUV also gets two-valve dampers, an electronic active roll-control system and all-wheel steering.

The suspension system is also designed to prevent the front end from diving under hard braking, helping maintain a smoother ride and improving passenger comfort.

The Range Rover Sport Electric uses what the company calls a “virtual” all-wheel-drive system, meaning there are no mechanically locking differentials. Instead, electronic torque management controls power delivery to the two axles. Land Rover says the system gives the SUV serious off-road capability, including the ability to drive through water up to 35.4 inches deep and climb slopes with an angle of up to 45 degrees.

Those claims have been put to the test. The new Range Rover Sport Electric was taken to marble quarries, where it successfully climbed a hill with a 45-degree incline.

Engineers have also developed a dedicated sound experience that can be adjusted according to the selected driving mode. The system is designed to emphasize the SUV's sporty character.

There is also a dedicated low-speed off-road mode that can hold the vehicle in place on steep slopes without requiring the driver to keep their foot on the brake pedal.

The Range Rover Sport Electric comes with a four-zone climate-control system, a 13.1-inch touchscreen, a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and heated and ventilated seats.

Jaguar Land Rover has already opened its order books for the new electric SUV. Pricing starts at approximately $145,200 in the U.S.-dollar equivalent.