Unveiling the 2024 Munro Series-M: The Future of British Electric Off-Roading Gets a Facelift and a Power Boost
by AutoExpert | 3 October, 2023
British electric vehicle startup Munro has pulled back the curtains on the near-production model of its Series-M 4x4, delivering significant improvements in power, range, and charging speed over its initial prototype.
Switching from nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) to lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry, the Series-M can now charge at a lightning-fast 130kW, nearly doubling its previous limit of 70kW.
The new battery chemistry also enhances its range, boosting it from 141 miles to a formidable 200 miles. In the Utility and Range variants, power output has been toned down from 295bhp to a more conservative 228bhp.
Styling hasn't been left behind; the Series-M now dons a more intricate, angular front fascia designed to improve visibility, reparability, and reduce front-end weight. The introduction of an industry-friendly “exoskeleton” enables straightforward accessory mounting.
Inside the cockpit, the Mk1 prototype's simple, functional design philosophy remains intact, now featuring an adjustable steering column and optimized height and rake adjustments for the driver’s seat.
Munro already has paid reservations for eight pilot versions of the Series-M slated for production by year-end 2023, in addition to 221 more vehicles between 2024 and 2025.
The company has launched a crowdfunding initiative to expand its reach and resources, confirming the need for additional funding to realize its full potential.
According to CEO Russell Peterson, "Our immediate focus is on delivering Series-M pilot vehicles to our early-adopter customer base."
Munro targets a broader market, reaching out to major utility companies and industrial fleets who are increasingly focusing on reducing their carbon footprint.
According to Peterson, Munro is about “keeping it real,” with the aim of becoming a major player in the heavy-industrial fleet market rather than trying to become another Tesla.
With a focus on delivering a specialized vehicle tailored to the needs of its industrial clients, Munro seems set on a path to create a meaningful impact on the electric vehicle industry.
The initial production will happen at Munro's Glasgow workshop, making it the first significant vehicle manufacturing initiative in Scotland since Peugeot-Talbot left Linwood in 1981.
Peterson looks forward to the positive economic impact that Munro could bring to the local community. Should Munro prove its mettle, the sky's the limit for this ambitious British electric vehicle startup.