Munro Vehicles presents production models
The production models from Munro will indeed be significantly more attractive than the prototypes. Munro has now presented them and launched its equity crowdfunding initiative with the world's leading online investment platform Seedrs from October 3 to 31. The raised investment funds are intended to capitalize on customer interest, deliver the first production vehicles, hire more staff, expand premises, and enhance resources. According to Munro, there are paid reservations and sales agreements for eight pilot vehicles in 2023 and 221 production vehicles in 2024 to 2025. Here, the Scots remain very discreet and honest. Russell Peterson, CEO and co-founder of Munro, explained:
“Our immediate priority is the delivery of Series M pilot vehicles to early customers to demonstrate the market viability of our product. The delivery of production vehicles will begin in mid-2024, and we plan to gradually increase production to 2,500 vehicles per year by 2027. With a full two-year order book for both the Series-M Pick-Up and the Series-M Truck, the Munro Seedrs campaign offers compelling investment opportunities, accelerates our growth plans, and unleashes economic scale."
The Scots themselves describe the Munro Series-M as an "electrically powered four-wheel-drive workhorse" that combines the robust reliability and repairability of a mechanical 4x4 drivetrain with a cutting-edge electric drivetrain that produces no emissions. The vehicle will be offered in the standard M170 version with 170 kW and the high-performance M280 version with 280 kW, as well as in the Pick-Up and Truck configurations.
Design and engineering have been massively optimized again
While the first pre-production version of the Munro Series-M, the Munro MK_1, was already successfully presented to the media and customers, Munro has taken the feedback from extensive field trials in the Scottish Highlands and made numerous improvements to the design and engineering.
"Revising some key components allowed us to improve the aesthetic and technical aspects of the Munro Series-M Truck and Pick-Up," explains Ross Compton, head of Munro design, adding:
“We have created an even more pronounced design that builds on the Munro name while incorporating improvements in areas such as aerodynamics, cooling, and efficiency."
Longevity and Repairability as the Primary Goal
The Munro Series-M now features an aerodynamically optimized (!) and lighter front section, which allows for better forward visibility. The switch to a higher-quality body cladding now means that components can be replaced more easily, which is intended to further strengthen the fully electric off-road vehicle's ability to function for a lifetime.
At the rear, an "exoskeleton" mounted on the hardtop of the utility models allows for easy mounting of equipment - an advantage for those working in areas targeted by Munro, such as agriculture, construction, exterior maintenance, disaster relief, rescue, mining, and defense.
Ergonomics Have Also Been Improved
In response to customer feedback on the initial demonstration vehicles, Munro has introduced an adjustable steering column with steering wheel controls and a number of ergonomic improvements, including improved seat tilt and height adjustment. A complete safety package, including airbags, ABS brakes, stability and traction control, is now offered.
"We have introduced a more durable, longer-lasting LFP battery pack (lithium iron phosphate) that allows for faster fast charging times of 30 minutes and 130 kW," explained Ross Anderson, co-founder and head of the powertrain department at Munro, adding:
"We have also significantly improved the vehicle's thermal efficiency. The waste heat from the powertrain can now be used to heat the interior. Combined with more effective soundproofing measures, the Munro Series-M now provides a more comfortable travel experience, whether driving on asphalt with a range of up to 200 miles or traversing the most challenging terrains in the world for which it was designed."
Scottish Pride: Building Their Own Cars Again
The Munro, designed, developed, and built in the United Kingdom, is a historically significant vehicle and the first lightweight vehicle to be produced in Scotland in over four decades.
More than 250 pre-orders for both the truck and pickup models have been received, confirming that Munro's vehicles are exactly what the market needs, especially in sectors such as mining, construction, utilities, agriculture, and defense, where radical solutions are required for operators to achieve their decarbonization goals. Munro is now ready to seize the market opportunity with the support of financial partners, as they are "on the verge of completing their first two production models."
What Does It Mean?
Munro has come a long way and is planning very cautiously. It remains to be seen whether enough financial partners will be found for the electric workhorse, thus giving Scotland an original car manufacturer again, producing 4x4s made in the UK. After all, the Land Rover Defender comes from Nitra, Slovakia...
Translated automatically from German.
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