Scottish Startup To Bring Rugged Electric SUV To The US

While the Tesla Cybertruck and the INEOS Grenadier haven't made it to the market yet, a Scottish startup is bringing a rugged electric SUV to the U.S. in 2023.

The Scottish startup founded by Russ Peterson is named Munro, after the Scottish term for a mountain that's higher than 3,000 feet. The electric SUV designed by the company is the Munro Mark 1. The goal behind the Mark 1 is, according to the company, to "ensure maximum reliability in the most extreme conditions."

Designed more for work rather than leisure, the Mark 1 takes a utilitarian approach to the interior by cutting the bells and whistles out. The Edinburgh concept model didn't have carpeting or a headliner, but the production version will have some sort of noise insulation. While there isn't a wealth of high-tech toys, there is a wealth of space inside the SUV. Besides having enough space for five adults and a plywood-lined load compartment that can fit a 47.2-inch by 31.5-inch pallet, along with two additional storage lockers that can be found in the front fenders.

Meeting the Class 3 medium-duty classification in the U.S., the Mark 1 can carry up to 2,200 pounds of cargo and, at least by European standards, tow up to 7,700 pounds. This is thanks in part to the ladder-frame steel chassis and solid axles used in the design of the Mark 1. Although it is an electric SUV, the company took a traditional approach to the design and build.

Even though most electric SUVs use multiple motors, the Mark 1 uses one centrally mounted axial flux motor that's capable of supplying drive to each corner of the chassis. Munro has stated that it will offer two different motor options, a 295-hp and a 375-hp. There's also the choice between two different battery capacities, but the stronger motor will only come with the bigger battery.

The target range under the European WLTP test is 190 miles, which would most likely fall to 170 miles within the U.S. for the larger battery pack. There hasn't been a prediction for the smaller battery pack yet. Another factor is that the Mark 1 can support both AC charging and DC fast charging.

Munro has also provided the numbers for the zero-to-62 mph time for the 375-hp motor. Those stand at a claimed 4.9 seconds.

Pricing starts at an estimated $61,000 for the two-seater version and runs up to around $115,000 for the five-seater version which includes a stranger motor as well as a larger battery pack.