Range Rover Sport Electric revealed: It'll starts from £110,000 - is it worth the huge premium versus the petrol version?

The covers are off the new Range Rover Electric, and well-heeled car buyers will be able to purchase their emissions-free luxury SUV from today.Range Rover promises the high-end EV is 'tuned to reward those who relish every drive'.Being developed in parallel with the new Range Rover Electric, the Sport EV will have the stiffest body and lowest centre of gravity of any Range Rover Sport model.The first ever all-electric Range Rover Sport will come with 542bhp and 850Nm of torque – the most of any Range Rover Sport.Now on sale, the Range Rover Sport Electric is priced from £109,810 – significantly more than the combustion Range Rover Sport which starts from £77,620, or some 29 per cent cheaper.But the Coventry carmaker is looking to ditch its gas-guzzling 'Chelsea Tractor' reputation as the original luxury Range Rover and its Sport derivative SUV become available with electric power for the very first time. Now on sale, the first ever Range Rover Sport Electric is priced from £109,810 – significantly more than the combustion Range Rover Sport which starts from £77,620What's new with the Range Rover Sport Electric?Promising to be 'more dynamic and more responsive' than its combustion counterpart, the Range Rover Sport Electric comes with a suite of advanced chassis technologies.These include uniquely tuned Intelligent Traction Management, virtual all-wheel drive, Dynamic Air Suspension and electronic Active Roll Control (eARC) 1 – which can apply up to 1,400Nm of force across each axle for maximum composure at all times – and All-Wheel Steering.While Range Rover used these systems to prove the Sport Electric's enhanced dynamic abilities on a final test between 3,000ft peaks of open-air Carrara marble quarries in Italy, we think most owners will just take Range Rover's word for it as they're unlikely to off-road more than driving into some boggy fields. It comes with 850Nm of torque and 542bhp – a smidge more than the V8 Sport's 540bhp and a lot more than the petrol's 375bhp – so it can cover 0 to 60mph in 4.3 seconds The luxury off-roader has a 900mm wading depth and 45-degree incline angleBut drivers will appreciate and utilise the SUV's 850Nm of torque and 542bhp – a smidge more than the V8 Sport's 540bhp and a lot more than the petrol's 375bhp – which will allow the weighty SUV to cover 0 to 60mph in as little as 4.3 seconds. Its top speed is 124mph.And they may make use of the 900mm wading depth and 45-degree climbing angle the Range Rover Sport Electric can handle.The near-silent EV comes with Dynamic Launch Mode to cover the sprint as quickly as possible.And to add an element of old-school throaty character, the all-electric model comes with a distinctive acoustic sound signature which encourages drivers to engage with the Sport Electric's drive modes.It also has a 61 per cent stiffer body structure and 73mm lower centre of gravity than any other Range Rover Sport model.Matt Becker, vehicle engineering director, Range Rover, said: 'Range Rover Sport Electric represents an evolution in the dynamic character of Range Rover Sport, with an even greater emphasis on driver engagement and sporting response. 'The stiffer architecture and lower centre of gravity, combined with precise torque control and advanced chassis technologies, creates a vehicle with sharper responses, greater agility and increased confidence.'It feels smaller, more planted and more responsive than you would imagine. All without sacrificing refinement, comfort or breadth of capability.' It has a WLTP range of 374 miles, but Range Rover estimates you're more likely to get a real-world range of 333 miles out of the luxury SUV. 136 miles of charge can be added in 10 minutesHow far can the Range Rover Sport Electric go on a single charge?The all-electric Range Rover Sport is powered by an 118.5kWh lithium-ion battery and has two 260kW electric motors which are incorporated in Range Rover's MLA-Flex architecture.It also, like the Range Rover Electric, has new technology and innovations such as ThermAssist heat management to maximise range.While it has a claimed WLTP range of 374 miles, Range Rover estimates you're more likely to get a real-world range of 333 miles out of the luxury SUV.Thanks to 800V electrical architecture the Range Rover Electric can recharge from 10 to 80 per cent in 22 minutes, or add 136 miles of range in just ten minutes. The Dynamic SE costs £109,810, while the Autobiography model rises to £122,780. For the biggest spenders, expect to pay £126,290 for the First Edition version The Range Rover Electric will be built in Solihul, UK, and is available to order nowTrims and pricing – how much does the Range Rover Electric cost?If you have a sizeable bank account, you can now use your funds to purchase your Range Rover Electric as it's available to order.Customers can choose between Dynamic SE, Autobiography and First Edition specifications.At the least expensive end, the Dynamic SE costs £109,810, while the Autobiography model rises to £122,780. For the biggest spenders, expect to pay £126,290 for the First Edition version.Optional extras include the Black Pack and Satin Wrap – both of which add 'more stealthy appeal' – while the curated First Edition is finished in Zadar Grey with Satin Wrap, with a black contrast roof and 22-inch alloy wheels.Range Rover Sport Electric Autobiography clients are also eligible for the Range Rover Bespoke commissioning service, offering an extended choice of near-limitless paint colours, configuration combinations, elevated material finishes and personalisation – including unique embroidery – to create a truly individual Range Rover Sport Electric.Built in Solihull, UK, on the same production lines as PHEV, petrol and diesel versions, the Range Rover Sport Electric comes with an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty. CARS & MOTORING: ON TEST