Rover Will Build Cars Again

Land Rover is best known for selling SUVs. But times have changed as the brand is presently working on what technically qualifies as a station wagon.

The model has been showcased under the Range Rover banner and has been described by the company as a “grand tourer.” Fittingly dubbed the GT, the model abandons some of the off-road capabilities associated with Land Rover models to focus upon on-road luxury.

Details on the prototype are limited and assuredly subject to change as the production model draws near. But we appear to have a very car-like crossover, akin to something like Cadillac Lyriq.

Land Rover stated that the model would be electrified, offering a mixture of performance and comfort. While the GT is also supposed to boast some all-terrain capabilities, that’s rarely the top priority for Range Rover models. This appears to be a luxury EV at its core and would not have the kind of ground clearance necessary for any gnarly trails.

The minimalist interior drives this point home. Physical controls are largely absent to make way for screens and the whole thing gives off the impression of being inside a really fancy dentists office or an impressively clean Apple store — the latter of which hasn’t existed in over a decade.

As cabins go, it’s pretty derivative. We have seen a lot of this in recent years and prototype EVs are the worst offenders. It also doesn’t help that Land Rover decided to showcase the interior in the much-overused white color scheme. Land Rover would say that the space creates “a sanctuary of calm,” which may very well be true. But we certainly cannot comment upon that without having driven the prototype ourselves.

The exterior shape is vaguely reminiscent of the Jaguar Type 00 Concept and Type 01 production model. We’d even suggest that this may be an updated version of that vehicle, if Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) hadn’t already confirmed that it was riding upon a different platform.

Then again, the Jaguar Electric Architecture (JEA) is wholly new and exists exclusively on the Type 00/01. The same is true for the Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) that’s supposed to underpin the GT prototype. Since they stem from the same company, they could have plenty in common. But they assuredly aren’t identical and we still have some doubts about Jaguar ever releasing the Type 01 as part of its claimed comeback.

Both models are all-wheel drive, with the Rover using four independent electric motors. The Jaguar made due with just three. We imagine this helps when navigating icy roads launching quickly from a stop — even if the overall package seems ill suited for off-road shenanigans.

We’re expecting it to be another fast electric luxury car with enough range to let Range Rover market it as a grand tourer. Depending on how much of the interior the manufacturer is willing to sacrifice for a larger battery pack, we figure the maximum range could ballpark somewhere around 350 miles.

Martin Limpert, managing director of Range Rover, explained that the model would stress comfort and customization and we imagine you’ll be paying a premium for both. Land Rover typically offers a lot of opportunities to move beyond the base MSRP and there’s not much to suggest the forthcoming GT will be any different.

“The Range Rover GT will redefine the grand‑touring segment with the ability to deliver beautiful and engaging GT poise, proportions and long‑distance refinement while offering capabilities no conventional GT can match,” stated Limpert. “We have spent the last few years working obsessively on the fundamentals of the GT formula, reinterpreted in a sophisticated, uniquely Range Rover way. The result is the most car‑like, yet unmistakably capable, Range Rover ever created, now possible on our electrified EMA architecture — complementing our existing powertrain portfolio to deliver a complete set of options for every customer need. Its blend of effortless EV performance, first‑class long‑haul refinement and all‑terrain capability is pure Range Rover; while its calming interior previews our vision of a modern grand tourer.”

While Rover Group made a lot of cars back in the British Leyland days, few could qualify as luxury cars. We suppose that the Rover 75 is probably the most recent example, even though the model was technically an “executive car.”

The Range Rover GT will be aiming quite a bit higher up the luxury spectrum than the Rover 75 and will assuredly have a price tag reflecting that. But we don’t have much in the way of details. The manufacturer has said it just wanted to show up the overall design and would save its big announcement on specifications, pricing, and product launches for later this year.

[Images: Jaguar Land Rover]

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