Land Rover is considering development of a new battery-powered Range Rover model with the hope of taking on Tesla's lineup of pure-electric cars, according to Autocar. The prospective EV is expected to be based on one of the smaller models in the lineup rather than the Range Rover flagship, which will require a full-charge range greater than currently offered by leading pure-electric vehicles, including Tesla's own Model S.

Autocar cites Jaguar Land Rover group engineering director Wolfgang Ziebart's recent comments to an industry newspaper regarding electric vehicles, specifically the prospect of second or third family that would offer a luxurious interior in a package similar to the Jaguar XJ sedan. Autocar also cites Land Rover design chief Gerry McGovern's comments regarding a "incredibly luxurious, low-slung" vehicle aimed first and foremost at on road performance, but one that would maintain the capability of off-road performance. Such a vehicle, branded as a Range Rover, would likely use an aluminium monocoque architecture, and would be offered in gas and diesel forms as well. The upcoming Jaguar CX-17 crossover could serve as a basis for such a model in Land Rover's lineup, according to Autocar.

That EVs are in Land Rover's sights isn't a big surprise -- the company has been testing all-electric Land Rover Defenders in the field recently, and the company is keen to expand the Range Rover sub-brand to include more niche vehicles for a target audience that now includes urbanites. While this demographic is certainly seen as a major consumer of electric vehicles, Land Rover would have to make the new model make sense to its traditional buyers who may already own other Land Rover vehicles.

Autocar believes that JLR would aim for the Tesla's range of 265 miles on a full charge as a benchmark for such a vehicle, which would also likely overlap with the Tesla's price range.

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