Range Rover is breaking its 56-year streak of producing only SUVs with the introduction of the all-electric GT saloon. this new model, built on the EMA platform, marks a significant departure from the brand's high-clearance heritage.
A 56-year break from the SUV-only heritage
Range Rover is pivoting away from its traditional identity as a manufacturer of elevated, off-road capable vehicles. Since the original two-door Range Rover Classic debuted in 1970, the sub-brand has focused exclusively on the SUV segment, but the new electric GT will feature a sleek, low-slung profile instead.
This strategic shift is part of Jaguar Land Rover’s 2023 "House of Brands" restructuring, which aims to give Range Rover, Defender, Discovery, and Jaguar their own distinct market identities. As the report notes, the GT represents a historic departure for a marque that has spent over five decades defining the luxury utility category.
Leveraging the EMA pltaform and 800-volt architecture
The new electric GT will rely on the Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) platform to power its grand-touring capabilities. This platform is specifically intended for mid-size premium vehicles and differs from the MLA architecture used for the upcoming Range Rover Electric and Range Rover Sport Electric models.
Manufacturing for this new model is slated for the Halewood facility in Merseyside. According to the report, the GT will launch exclusively as a battery-electric vehicle, though the EMA platform's inherent flexibility allows for the potential introduction of a full hybrid variant later in the product cycle.. To support ultra-fast charging, the vehicle will utilize an 800-volt electrical system, a standard shared with Jaguar's JEA platform.
A direct challenge to Jaguar’s £120,000 Type 01
The GT's design language and luxury positioning appear aimed at the high-end segment occupied by Jaguar's £120,000 Type 01. The vehicle features a minimalist four-seat configuration and a dashboard stripped of most traditional buttons, signaling a move toward a more sophisticated, streamlined aesthetic.
Much of the vehicle's visual direction is attributed to former design chief Jerry McGovern, who recently concluded a 21-year tenure at JLR. Martin Limpert, the managing director of Range Rover, has positioned the car as the "most car-like" model the brand has ever produced, emphasizing its ability to deliver long-distance refinement and engaging poise.
Unverified details on range and the 'capable' claim
Several critical performance metrics and market details remain unconfirmed by the manufacturer. While the company claims the GT will be the "quietest Range Rover ever constructed ," the report does not provide specific figures regarding its total driving range or battery capacity. Furthermore, the official retail price for the GT has yet to be announced.
There is also an inherent tension between the vehicle's new aerodynamic, low-slung shape and the brand's reputation for ruggedness . While executives claim the GT will remain "unmistakably capable," it remains to be seen how a saloon-style vehicle will maintain the off-road utility that customers traditionally associate with the Range Rover name.
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