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JLR’s Parent Company Made An Electric SUV With Drift Mode For Just $25K

  • Tata has launched a fully electric version of the Harrier SUV in India.
  • The Harrier.ev has a dual-motor AWD option and a 75 kWh battery pack.
  • Preorders open July 2 in India with prices starting at about $25,100.

While the Land Rover Discovery Sport still hasn’t gone electric, its parent company’s distant Indian cousin is already moving forward. The Tata Harrier.ev is the battery-powered version of the Harrier, offering an all-wheel-drive option and a MIDC-rated range of up to 627 km (390 miles) on a single charge.

Despite the electric drivetrain, the styling of the Harrier.ev doesn’t stray far from its internal combustion engine sibling, which rides on a budget-friendly version of Land Rover’s D8 platform. Originally launched in 2019 and refreshed in 2023, the design carries over with only a handful of EV-specific tweaks. These include a closed-off grille, reshaped bumpers, unique 19-inch wheels, and distinctive badging.

More: This Hatchback Is Three Times Cheaper Than A Corolla

Inside, the Harrier.ev steps up its game with a 14.5-inch Samsung Neo QLED display taking center stage. Other available features include a 540-degree surround camera system, a 10-speaker JBL audio setup, panoramic sunroof, power-operated tailgate, digital rearview mirror, and Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). On the tech side, Tata’s new TiDAL platform (Tata Intelligent Digital Architecture Layer) enables more connected features and supports over-the-air updates.

The EV will be available in three trim levels named Adventure, Fearless, and Empowered. Furthermore, there is the Stealth edition with a typical dark-themed specification that has proven to be quite popular among Indian buyers.

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Evolved Platform, Familiar Roots

While the standard Tata Harrier uses the cost-effective Omega Arc platform, a derivative of Land Rover’s D8 architecture found in models like the Discovery Sport, the Harrier.ev moves to the newer Acti.ev Plus platform. This updated architecture represents a notable step forward, redesigned to accommodate an electric powertrain and battery pack. It also introduces a new “Ultra Glide” multi-link rear suspension with frequency-dependent dampers.

The Harrier.ev is offered with either a single or dual-motor setup. In the all-wheel-drive variant, the front motor produces 156 hp (116 kW / 158 PS), while the rear motor contributes an additional 235 hp (175 kW / 238 PS), resulting in a combined 504 Nm (372 lb-ft) of torque. This makes it the most powerful Harrier to date, capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 6.3 seconds.

More: Tata Avinya X Concept Is The Range Rover Velar’s Indian Cousin With A Lancia Face

The powertrain includes six terrain modes: Normal, Snow/Grass, Mud/Ruts, Sand, Rock Crawl, and Custom. There’s also an Off-road Assist function that works like low-speed cruise control for rough terrain, along with a Drift mode for drivers looking to kick the tail out a little.

Range, Charging, and Price

Two battery packs are on offer, rated at 65 kWh and 75 kWh. The larger battery gives the rear-wheel-drive variant a MIDC-rated range of 627 km (390 miles), though Tata’s internal testing suggests a more realistic 480 to 505 km (298 to 314 miles). A 120 kW DC fast charger can bring the battery from 20 to 80 percent in just 25 minutes.

Tata will open preorders for the Harrier.ev in India on July 2. Prices start at ₹21.49 lakh (around $25,100), which is competitive for a mid-size electric SUV with this level of tech and performance. That said, it’s a significant jump from the combustion-powered Harrier, which starts at ₹14.99 lakh (roughly $17,500).

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Tata Motors

The Land Rover That Still Looks 1960 But Drives Like 2030

  • Electric conversion features 62 kWh battery split for better balance and handling.
  • Offers 160 hp and 664 lb-ft torque, retaining original transfer box and 4×4 function.
  • 120-mile range suits weekend drives, not full-time commuting or road tripping.

In a world racing toward the future on silent electric motors, the idea of electrifying a post-war Land Rover might sound like forcing a flip phone to run TikTok. Still, that’s exactly what UK-based company Inverted is doing, taking the legendary Land Rover Series I, II, and III and giving them a fully electric drivetrain while staying largely true to their iconic design.

Inverted already offers EV conversions for Range Rover Classic models and is using this expertise with old Land Rovers. The original Series I, Series II, and Series III models were built between 1948 and 1985 with 4-, 6-, and 8-cylinder petrol and diesel engine options. The EV specialist ditches these engines and slots in a 62 kWh battery pack that’s been split across the front and rear to optimize weight distribution.

Read: Electric Toyota FJ40 – Your Grandpa’s Off-Roader Gets A Tesla Heart

That battery sends power to a single electric motor producing 160 horsepower and a hefty 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque. Thanks to that torque, these once-slow utility vehicles can now hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in a surprisingly brisk 8 seconds.

Even more interesting is that Inverted keeps the original transfer box, which still offers high and low range gearing and works seamlessly with the electric setup. A locking differential is also included, maintaining off-road capability.

Short Range That (Sort of) Fits the Mission

 The Land Rover That Still Looks 1960 But Drives Like 2030

Inverted says its electric Land Rover models can travel up to 120 miles (193 km) on a full charge. That’s peanuts compared to most EVs on the market, but it’s worth remembering that very few owners of old Land Rovers like these use them as a daily driver. One hundred twenty miles is probably more than enough for the occasional trip through town.

The battery pack supports 6.6 kW Type 2 charging and 60 kW DC fast charging, allowing it to be charged from 20-80% in 38 minutes. Eco, Traffic, and Off-Road driving modes have also been incorporated, and new electric power steering has been added.

“Series Land Rovers are beautiful, iconic machines,” Inverted founder Harry Millington said. “But let’s face it, not everyone wants to wrestle with a choke on a cold morning or breathe in exhaust fumes that waft through the car. Our electrified versions preserve everything people love about these classics while making them more fun, more reliable, and infinitely more usable.”

Just don’t expect this upgraded nostalgia to come cheap. Inverted’s conversions start at £150,000 (roughly $199,000), though that price does include the donor vehicle. For collectors or enthusiasts who want a cleaner, quieter, and more practical take on the classic Land Rover, it’s a steep price, but also a unique way to bridge past and future without losing the charm of either.

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