Munro Vehicles has revealed its first off-road electric vehicle, the MK_1, bringing motor manufacturing back to Scotland for the first time in more than four decades. The MK_1 is a five-seat all-electric utility vehicle designed for off-road performance. Russell Peterson, CEO of Munro, advises “thinking of it as a machine rather than a car”.
The entry-level, aptly named ‘utility’ model starts at £49,995 (ex VAT) with a 61.2kWh battery and 220kW electric motor. It is expected to have a range of 141 miles or 12 hours of runtime, a maximum payload of 1,000kg and 443lb-ft of torque. Add another £10,000 for the Range version and you get 186 miles or 16 hours of runtime and an 82.4kWh battery with a 220kW/295bhp electric motor. Since the vehicle is designed for rugged off-road pursuits, the 0-60 mph time isn’t groundbreaking unless you opt for the top performance model. Accelerating from 4.9 seconds to a top speed of 80mph, the Performance kicks out with a 280kW/375bhp electric motor delivering 516lb ft of torque. That means top-spec is capable of towing up to 3,500kg, with prices starting from £69,995 before VAT.
Munro co-founder Ross Anderson emphasized the off-road nature of the MK_1 with the note “If you’re 99% on the road, the MK_1 probably isn’t for you”. For the UK market, it is mainly targeting agricultural applications, but the company has also set its sights on customers in the mining, forestry and construction sectors in North America. Theoretically, the MK_1 is designed to have a service life of about 50 years, with regular maintenance and maintenance.
The vehicle is currently in low-volume production, which means the front and rear axles can be placed very close to the edge of the vehicle and still be road-worthy. The benefit of this is that its approach and departure angles are significantly increased, at 84 degrees and 51 degrees, respectively. Ground clearance is 480mm, and if you’re brave enough, it should be able to wade up to 800mm of water.
Inside, that’s been stripped back to basic controls, which are all standard waterproof buttons that can be easily replaced. The vehicle is designed to be durable yet easy to service, with multiple standard components throughout the vehicle helping to reduce production and maintenance costs. There are two USB C ports, two wireless charging pads, and two three-pin plug points on the center console. There’s a small touchscreen on the dash that’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. To top up the battery, there’s the option of AC charging, which can be charged in three and a half hours, or DC charging, which can be charged in a little over half an hour. The battery pack itself is guaranteed to provide 80 percent of its original capacity for at least eight years or 100,000 miles, after which it can be reconditioned or replaced by Munro.
In 2023, Munro will reveal a pickup version of the MK_1 as well as other iterations, including single-cab, six-wheeler and flatbed models, all in the pipeline. Munro will produce 50 cars at its East Kilbride factory next year before moving to a purpose-built factory in central Scotland in 2024, expanding annual production to 2,500 by 2027.
