The Un-Range Rover GT
There are two reasons why this shouldn’t be called a Range Rover, or a GT, because it has neither qualities to qualify, but in a world where boundaries are blurred, and freedom of expression reigns, there’s little reason why Land Rover should stick to it’s rigid format of making large, luxurious, upright SUVs under its Range Rover sub-brand.
What is It?
JLR sister brand, Jaguar, is synonymous for producing true GT cars from the stunning XK150, to the gloriously beautiful E-Type, and the rather fabulous XJ-S, with the more recent XK iterations all displaying what true GTness is. And it seems that Land Rover wants a slice of that pie, but without any heritage to draw from. So, rather than creating a rival to a true Jaguar GT car, it has squashed a Range Rover and said “let’s call that a GT”.
But don’t listen to me, because Land Rover has an official statement from its Range Rover Managing Director, Martin Limpert, who says “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. 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.”
So there it is, Range Rover will change what a GT means instead of making an actual GT. But for those graced with the power of sight, this is a large hatchback, or fastback with a design harking back to the Rover SD1 from the 70’s and 80’s, and presented as a modern iteration.
Interior
Inside, the new Range Rover is dominated by a single, large touchscreen sitting in a very modern and minimalist cabin that it says “the interior of Range Rover GT is shaped by the same reductive principles that define its exterior proportions: purity, precision and quiet modernity.”
The Dashboard
There is a small drivers display mounted on top of the dashboard that replaces the traditional instrument cluster, and the air vents are concealed and run across the width of the cabin, all of which reeks of a large dollop of Tesla copying. In fact, like a lot of Chinese cars are doing, Land Rover are emulating a Tesla cabin in many areas, and whilst this must be flattering to Tesla, not all customers wish for the same formulaic interior that’s currently permeating the automotive industry.
Whilst Range Rover will undoubtedly ensure the cabin is well insulated from external noise - resplendent in its zen-like interior - and with a focus on technology and AI integration, this seems to be a huge breakaway from it’s traditions, and that could represent a challenge for a brand that’s known solely for excelling at SUVs and feeling traditionally Range Rovery inside.
Powertrains
Initially launching as a pure battery electric car (no details yet on that sadly), the GT will be the first all‑electric Range Rover from the new EMA platform, manufactured in Halewood, UK. However, the new GT has been planned with the flexibility to add a full hybrid option later in the lifecycle, if there is enough demand for it.
Conclusion
It neither rides high with its traditional imperial, lofty ride height - and that means it is likely that its off-roading capabilities are limited - and it doesn’t check the box for a Grand Tourer, either. It is not a luxurious, low-slung, coupe, and doesn’t have the kerb appeal of one, and this is the crux of the problem. People would love to see a return to a true GT car.
However, if Land Rover owned the rights to the Rover name (which sadly they do not), it could have resurrected the Rover SD1, and people would have nodded along and agreed that it was a stunning modern interpretation of a quasi-premium executive car from the 1970’s.
Launch Details
Details are scarce of this new hatchback whilst its being thoroughly road tested, but Land Rover promises that it will reveal more details soon.
