Are we really facing the electric 4×4 with the best autonomy? The manufacturer does not speak in number of kilometers of autonomy, but in hours. The Munro Mk_1 is capable, depending on conditions, of operating on a charge for approximately 16 hours.
Are you looking for a (real) 100% electric off-roader but you can’t find what you’re looking for? It’s normal, the offer of electric 4×4 is still very poor today, while the only one that can assume this role, namely the Tesla Cybertruck, is slow to arrive.
But while waiting for Land Rover or even Jeep and the Mercedes EQG, the historical brands in terms of 4×4, to get started, here is an unknown and very interesting manufacturer that could pull the rug out from under their feet. Her name ? Munro. The Scottish firm is today presenting a new model, the Mk_1.
An electric 4×4 more practical than aesthetic
This military-looking vehicle obviously reminds us of a Land Rover Defender, even if the manufacturer defends itself from the comparison by stating that the designers have “preferred function over aesthetics; 99% of what you see is there because it has a function, and nine times out of ten it also has more than one function”says its designer, Ross Compton.
Munro has not yet communicated the dimensions of this impressive machine, but we already know that its wheelbase is 3.3 meters and that it offers an angle of attack of 84° and departure of 51°. Thanks to its ground clearance of 480 mm, it can cross fords of up to 800 mm. In any case, with such figures, this 100% electric all-terrain has nothing to envy to thermal 4×4.
The vehicle is also equipped with a mechanical central differential rather than two separate electric motors, as on most other electrics which are actually 2×2 wheel drives. Also, differential locks are available as an option for the front and rear axles to improve road holding.
Up to 16 hours (or 300 km) of autonomy
Technically, the Munro Mk_1 has only one electric motor. According to the versions, it develops 299 hp Where 381 hp. The electric motor is powered by a lithium-ion battery 61 or 82kWh. Its maximum autonomy is approximately 300kmthat is “16 hours of continuous use” according to the manufacturer. The Munro Mk_1 can receive a 6.6 or 22 kW AC on-board charger. By plugging it into a quick outlet, it can refuel in about 36 minutes thanks to a maximum load capacity of 94 kW in direct current.
Such a vehicle must also be able to tow, and according to Munro, it can pull up to 3,500kg. Its gargantuan torque of 700 Nm allows it to display correct performance, with a 0 to 100 km/h shot in 4.9 seconds for the fastest version. The maximum speed, in both cases, is limited to 129 km/h.
An interesting little technical solution, the brakes use non-ventilated discs in order to avoid any potential drop in performance due to mud blocking the ventilation spaces inside the discs. Very useful when used on complicated surfaces.
Fairly decent price for the services
As you can see, inside it’s pretty simple and clever. The surfaces are impermeable to be able to wash the passenger compartmentwhile there are some rather useful technologies like a central touchscreen compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless smartphone charging, USB sockets and two household sockets to power several items like camping accessories.
The price in England will be 49,955 pounds, i.e. approximately 58,000 euros. 50 copies will be produced in 2023, but Munro has ambitions with its model, since the manufacturer plans to build a factory in 2024 in Scotland in order to manufacture around 250 units per year. The ultimate goal would be to assemble 2,500 units per year by 2027.
Announced last year by a concept, the future Mercedes EQG, the famous electric 4×4, is beginning to give some details on its technical specificities. Expected for 2024, it will have four electric motors and will be able to…
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