JLR passes Electric switch on to newly priced Range Rover Sport

JLR has breathed new life into the Range Rover Sport by officially introducing its electric iteration, the Sport Electric. The pricing announcement for the full-size Range Rover came last month, signaling the launch of the second all-electric model in production. The Sport Electric shares a striking resemblance to its diesel and petrol counterparts in terms of appearance, but it stands apart by eliminating exhaust outlets.

It boasts aero-optimized alloy wheels, a sealed grille with imitation slats, and a significantly revised MLA platform compared to both combustion and full-size Range Rover Electric vehicles.

The Sport Electric inherits the same Integrated Traction Management system, twin-damper adaptive air suspension, new springs for its dual chamber setup, rear-axle steering system, and the ability to wade through 900 mm of water. However, it also boasts unique dynamics, steering enhancements, and a capability to traverse inclines up to 45 degrees. JLR has tailored its Virtual All-Wheel Drive system and Active Roll Control, which can deliver up to 1,400 Nm of force across each axle.

The 118.5-kWh battery pack, shared with its full-size sibling, powers two electric motors – one on each axle. This setup generates 404kW/850Nm of output, enabling the Sport Electric to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and achieve a range of 609 km on a single charge. The only interior changes include the EV displays in the instrument cluster and the Pivi Pro infotainment system.

For South African buyers, the Sport Electric will be available in three trim levels: Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, and Autobiography, along with a limited-run First Edition. Priced from R3,291,100 to R3,609,200, the Sport Electric will come with DC charging support of up to 350 kW. Charging from 10-80% will take 22 minutes, offering an additional 220 km of range in just 10 minutes.

Aside from the EV-specific displays and the Pivi Pro infotainment system, the Sport Electric's interior closely mirrors the design of its traditional counterpart.