Range Rover today revealed the cabin of its new ‘GT’ model ahead of a full debut expected later this year, with the fastback-esque SUV previewing smaller screens, a modernist interior design and a dramatic silhouette.
The British brand says the GT will become the fifth member of the Range Rover family, meaning it will not replace the Velar as some had tipped. Instead, it will sit alongside that model — plus the full-size Range Rover, the Sport, and the Evoque.
But unlike those more conventional SUVs, the GT appears to be a lower, more road-focussed electric grand tourer, with a long wheelbase, coupé-like roofline, and what Range Rover says is its most car-like driving character yet.
Australian buyers are set to receive the GT, which rides on an all-new flexible ‘EMA’ platform that will underpin a range of forthcoming Land Rover models.
EMA was originally conceived as an EV-focussed platform, but Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has confirmed that the chassis has been adapted to be able to accept full-hybrid engines in the future — though the GT will launch first as a fully electric model.
Specifications like battery capacity, driving range, power, torque, charging performance and dimensions will not be known for a few more months.
New interior design revealed
These first undisguised interior images reveal a substantial change in direction for Range Rover. A new central touchscreen is smaller and more subtle than the huge displays increasingly dominating new luxury-car cabins.
“We have not gone mad and put passenger screens, wraparound screens, the things you see from start-up [carmakers]. We have gone for ‘less is more’, but ensured the execution is flawless,” said GT program chief Matthew Eyes.
Rather than following the industry trend towards fitting the largest possible screens and imposing ambient lighting, Range Rover has incorporated a compact freestanding display alongside a slim digital instrument panel.
The rest of the GT’s cabin deploys surprisingly stark brutalist and modernist forms, including a broad rectangular steering wheel boss, monolithic centre console, and strong horizontal lines across the dash and doors.
A concealed ventilation outlet spans the width of the dash, while woven textile trim hides audio speakers and reduces the number of visible components.
“Our ambition was to create a cabin that felt completely modern and more architectural than any previous Range Rover [with] tech hidden until it is needed,” said Alex Watkin, chief interior designer.
Range Rover says it wanted to create a calmer interior than what rivals had to offer, with fewer distractions and a focus on relaxation — with “comfort not as an addition but as an absolute fundamental,” according to Watkin.
The long wheelbase unlocks substantial rear seat room for sprawling comfort. Four or five seat configurations will be available — though real leather will not initially be on the menu, with Range Rover having selected premium ‘Ultrafabrics’ material instead.
“Ultrafabrics have incredible levels of retained newness, and is 58 percent lighter than leather,” said Watkin.
While hide is expected to be added to the options list later on, initially three fabric-based interior colour schemes will be offered: all white, all black, and a two-tone mix of both.
Long-running rumours of a ‘Road Rover’ product are partially fulfilled by the GT model, with the brand having reportedly worked on a lower road-going model since the 2010s.
Final testing is now taking place for the GT with additional details due later this year.
