Range Rover GT teased as brand’s first non-SUV

Range Rover is set to move away from the luxury SUV formula which has made it so popular for more than five decades, and will instead take on the likes of Porsche and even Ferrari with a new grand tourer.

Called simply the Range Rover GT, the relatively low-slung, sloped-back four-door is the fifth member of the brand’s family, and by far the one which strays farthest from what it’s known for.

Set to be a rival to the Porsche Taycan and Ferrari Luce, the Range Rover GT will be based on the new ‘EMA’ platform, first arriving as an electric vehicle, though it’ll have the capability to adopt a petrol engine and go hybrid “later in the lifecycle”.

From the small selection of teaser images released by JLR, we can see the Range Rover GT will go bold with an upright face, slim lights and overall chunky side portions, while the actual glasshouse appears to be relatively small.

It won’t be particularly close to the ground, though it still looks like it’ll ride more like a traditional sedan or wagon than the current high-riding Range Rovers.

Inside, preview pictures of the cabin show the steering wheel will adopt the same layout as the Jaguar Type 01, with touch-sensing haptic controls on its two spokes, stretching horizontally across the wheel’s diameter.

Behind it sit two stalks: the stalk on the left is for the lights, indicators and wipers, while the right controls the ‘gears’, allowing the driver to choose between Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive.

A digital instrument cluster appears to span just over one-third of the dashboard’s width, while a large floating touchscreen is between the two front occupants, on top of a floating centre console.

Just two seats are in the back, divided by a fixed control panel which allows rear occupants to adjust functions such as the climate control.

According to Range Rover, the first GT prototypes are currently in the final stages of on-road testing, with more details to be revealed later this year.

“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,” said Range Rover managing director, Martin 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.”