Munro Mk_1 revealed as rugged all-electric Scottish off-roader

By Sam Phillips

5 Dec 2022

This is the new Munro Mk_1, a rugged electric off-roader, designed, engineered and built in the UK.

Scottish brand Munro Vehicles was founded in 2019 by Russell Peterson and Ross Anderson, with the firm hoping its electrified 4x4 can topple the likes of the Ineos Grenadier and Land Rover Defender.

The start-up manufacturer, which is named after the title given to a Scottish Mountain over 3000ft tall, plans to hand-build the first round of 50 vehicles in 2023 before moving to a purpose-built facility near Glasgow in 2024.

The new site will create 300 new jobs, with production ramping up to 250 vehicles per year. Munro is aiming to deliver 2500 unit annually by 2027

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Sitting on a ladder frame chassis, the Mk_1 comes with permanent four-wheel-drive and live front and rear axles. A central locking differential comes as standard, while front and rear locking diffs are optional.

Munro has equipped the Mk_1 with an axial flux motor which drives each wheel through a two-speed transfer case. The firm opted to use the axial flux motor ahead of a radial flux unit thanks to a 40kg weight saving and to improve the overall weight distribution of the vehicle itself.

The Mk_1 is offered with a choice of two electric motors: 220kW and 280kW. Buyers are also able to choose from either a 61kWh and 82kWh battery offering a maximum range of up to 190 miles. The Glasgow-based firm says the Munro should operate off-road for up to 16 hours on a single charge.

Using a DC charger, the Mk_1 can replenish its battery in just over 30 minutes, while a 7kW home charging unit will recharge the off-roader overnight.

A heat pump has also been added to improve efficiency, with the Munro’s battery pack guaranteed to deliver 80% of its original energy capacity for at least 100,000.

The Munro has a top speed of 80mph, while the 0-62mph sprint takes just 4.9 seconds. And with 516lb ft, the firm says the Mk_1 can ‘effortlessly tow a braked trailer weight of up to 3500kg’. The maximum payload for the Munro is 1000kg.

The rugged EV showcases some admirable off-road credentials with 480mm of ground clearance and a wading depth of 800mm.

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And despite its large proportions, the Mk_1 has an 84 degree approach angle and 51 degree departure angle, while also featuring a 31.6 degree ramp-over angle. Such statistics should make even the hardiest of off-roaders, like the Land Rover Defender, break sweat.

The Mk_1’s robust utilitarian style is retained for the cabin. Inside the Munro gets two DIN screens: one for the infotainment and another for the driver’s display.

Two USB sockets and a pair of wireless charging pads have been added - it even has a three-pin domestic socket which can power appliances such as a kettle.

Six speakers are located around the car, with the Munro equipped with Android Auto and Apple Carplay.

Production will start at its facility in East Kilbride later this year, with half of the 2023 production run set to be left-hand drive vehicles developed specifically for the US.

Munro is also mulling over plans to ship knocked down kits for assembly in the US should demand exceed its eventual production target of 5000 units by 2030.

Pricing for the Mk_1 starts from £59,995 - although those using the Munro in a commercial setting will pay £49,995 thanks to a VAT deduction.

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