Munro Mk_1: Even rugged 4x4s are going electric
This page is translated from the original post "Munro Mk_1 : même les 4×4 purs et durs passent à l’électrique" in French.
- 12/12/2022 9:00
The old-school 4x4s are also adopting electric powertrains, proof of this being the Munro Mk_1, born from a new Scottish brand.
It all started during a 4×4 drive in the Highlands, the mountains of northwest Scotland, “But the off-road vehicle we were driving was combustion-powered, and struggled quite a bit on moderate slopes. So we thought how much better it would be with an electric motor”, recounts Russell Peterson, co-founder of Munro EV. On the way back, he noticed “a bunch of 50 kW charging stations left empty, next to a group of thermal 4×4 adventurers, long out of production and due to be replaced at some point.”
The Munro Mk_1, a true electric Defender of the 21st century?
With Ross Anderson, R. Peterson thus creates Munro EV, a new brand of electric vehicles. The company’s goal is concise: “a rugged 4×4, easy to maintain mechanically and delivering off-road capabilities without compromise”.
The large electric vehicle strongly resembles an earlier generation Land Rover Defender, but with more attitude. With its spacious cabin and large cargo volume (up to 1,600 liters), the Munro Mk_1 aims to appeal to agricultural, rescue, or construction sectors. Especially, its “Raptor” paint does not allow any scratches, keeping the body intact even when hit with a hammer!
It also packs power. Its axial motor has two versions: 220 km (295 hp) and 700 Nm of torque, or 280 kW (382 hp) and 800 Nm. These figures are sufficient to carry 1,000 kg onboard and tow 2.5 to 3.5 tons. Its NMC batteries also come in two variants: 56.3 or 75.8 kWh usable. The second capacity would give it enough range to operate 16 hours in off-road conditions. On a conventional road cycle, this would be 275 km per charge, according to the brand, versus 200 km with the smaller battery.
First Made-in-Scotland Car Since… Peugeot!
We know the UK has lost much of its automotive industry, leaving only Nissan and luxury brands like Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, etc. But did you know that Scotland hasn’t produced a series vehicle since 1981? Yes, that was four decades ago, marking the end of the Peugeot-Talbot factory in Linwood.
The Munro MK_1 will, however, start quite slowly. It plans to produce 250 units in its first year in 2024, and aims to reach 2,500 units per year. In the meantime, the first electric 4x4s will be hand-assembled. Orders have already begun, ranging from £59,994 to £83,994 (€69,830 to €97,760).
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