Range Rover Sport goes electric in Korea with 550 hp, 609 km range

Twin 260 kW motors deliver 86.7 kg·m of torque

0–100 km/h in 4.5 seconds

Wades up to 900 mm, climbs 45-degree inclines

118.5 kWh lithium-ion battery on board

800V charging adds up to 220 km in 10 minutes

Orders open in October; deliveries begin mid-2027

The Range Rover Sport Electric, the first all-electric model in the Range Rover Sport lineup [JLR Korea]

JLR Korea announced Thursday the launch of the Range Rover Sport Electric, the first fully electric model in the Range Rover Sport lineup.

According to the company, the Range Rover Sport Electric delivers enhanced performance and the dynamic driving character the nameplate is known for, while retaining its muscular silhouette, unmatched refinement and all-terrain capability.

"The Range Rover Sport is the model that best embodies Range Rover's dynamic spirit," said Range Rover Managing Director Martin Limpert. "Through a specially tuned chassis setup, performance-focused torque delivery and a differentiated driving sound, we have ensured the ultimate driving pleasure in a sporty luxury SUV."

The Range Rover Sport Electric completed its final validation testing at marble quarries in the Carrara region of Italy, where peaks rise to around 900 meters above sea level, demonstrating its enhanced dynamic capabilities.

The model features a specially tuned Intelligent Traction Management system, Virtual All-Wheel Drive, Dynamic Air Suspension and Dynamic Response Pro.

Dynamic Response Pro can apply up to 1,400 Nm of force to each axle to maintain optimal stability at all times. The system is complemented by twin-valve dampers and Adaptive Dynamics 2, which monitors 100 parameters 500 times per second to more effectively control body roll and pitch during cornering and braking.

The Range Rover Sport Electric produces 86.7 kg·m of torque — the highest ever in the Range Rover Sport lineup — with torque building 50 percent faster than in the Range Rover Electric. Its 550 hp powertrain matches the performance of the P540 V8-engined Range Rover Sport in Dynamic Launch mode, reaching 100 km/h from a standstill in as little as 4.5 seconds.

The first all-electric Range Rover Sport is 61 percent stiffer in body structure than the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) model and sits 73 mm lower at its center of gravity. It is built on the same production line as the PHEV, gasoline and diesel variants at JLR's Solihull plant in the United Kingdom. The vehicle houses a high-energy-density 118.5 kWh lithium-ion battery in a high-strength aluminum casing, with twin 260 kW electric motors and all other components fully integrated into the MLA-Flex architecture. An advanced 800V electrical architecture supports fast and flexible split charging.

Interior of the Range Rover Sport Electric [JLR Korea]

To maximize battery safety and quality, JLR's new battery testing laboratory subjects batteries under real operating conditions to extreme temperatures ranging from minus 40 degrees Celsius to 90 degrees Celsius, as well as multi-axis vibration and impact testing.

The Range Rover Sport Electric offers a maximum range of 609 km on the WLTP cycle. Using a rapid DC fast charger, drivers can add up to 220 km of range in 10 minutes, or charge the battery from 10 percent to 80 percent in around 22 minutes.

An aerodynamically optimized grille and alloy wheel design distinguish the Range Rover Sport Electric visually, and the efficient design contributes up to 16 km of additional range at highway speeds.

The model launches in Korea in a single EV550 Autobiography trim. An optional Black Pack and Satin Wrap are available to further accentuate its stealth aesthetic. Orders open in October, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin on a rolling basis from mid-2027.

Every Range Rover Sport Electric comes with a battery digital twin for service and maintenance purposes. JLR's over-the-air software update capability allows proactive management of customer vehicles. The battery carries an eight-year or 160,000 km warranty.

Meanwhile, JLR Korea has been broadening its customer touchpoints through a range of marketing activities — including signing an MOU with Snow Peak Korea in April and running an exclusive program for Defender customers at the Campfield site at Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.

likehyo85@heraldcorp.com