Bollinger B1 and B2: What pricey, electric Land Rovers should look like
Bollinger is now showing photos of the production version of the B1 and B2 electric SUV and pickup truck. Their squarish, functional design looks somewhat reminiscent of the 4x4s that made Land Rover famous—the kind that Land Rover left behind.
The Bollinger vehicles are battery-electric vehicles with aluminum bodies, dual motors, standard all wheel drive, and a stunning fifteen inches of ground clearance. They should pose a serious challenge to Land Rover and even Rivian, if they reach production as planned—though Rivian will have its hands full building 100,000 Amazon delivery vans.
The truck was developed in Hobart, New York, and tested in some of the roughest terrain in America (including Moab). The company brags that they have “best in class” horsepower and torque, along with 45/55 weight distribution.
For both pickup and SUV, Bollinger is claiming a 200-mile range, 614 horsepower, and 668 pound-feet of torque, a 7,500-pound tow rating, 5,000-pound payload (5,200 for the SUV). Fuel economy, so to speak, is around 70 MPGe. The whole no-compromises package will cost around $125,000.
Charging is done via a J1772 port capable of 110 or 220 volts; there is also a CCS fast-charge Level 3 charging port allowing 75-minute charges (it’s ten hours on 220V, so the 110V is not ideal). One engine is for the rear axle and the other is for the front axle.
Both have a claimed 4.5-second 0-60 time with a top speed of 100 mph.
The pickup has a six-foot bed (expanding to eight feet with the rear seat removed); the doors, roof panels, and glass are all removable.
The offroad dimensions challenge any Jeep: there is ten-inch wheel travel and 15 inches of ground clearance. The pickup had a 52° approach angle, 25° breakover angle (limited by the length of the truck), and a 28° departure angle. The SUV does better, with the same approach angle but a 30° breakover and 43° departure angle. Standard features include dual locking differentials and ground clearance adjustable up to 20 inches.
If you don’t happen to have angles memorized, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, the most capable American SUV (perhaps save the Power Wagon), has a 44° approach angle, 28° breakover, and 37° departure angle in two-door form. The four-door has a 23° breakover angle. Ground clearance on the Wrangler Rubicon is 10.8 inches.
The weight is about the same as the Chrysler Pacifica hybrid: around 5,000 pounds for the pickup and 4,800 pounds for the SUV. Brakes have vented discs to handle the extra weight.
Interior photos of the prototypes have been shown, and they have a distinctively retro feel, with a column shifter and analog gauges. The production version interior hasn’t been shown yet. Production will take place in Ferndale, Michigan; cosmetics billionaire Robert Bollinger has self-financed the vehicle.
Production is to start during calendar-year 2020; pricing will certainly be premium, quite possibly in six figures, but we won’t know until we get closer to production.
Clark Westfield grew up fixing up and driving past-their-prime American cars, including various GM and Mopar V8s. He has ghostwritten auto news for the last few years, and lives in Farmingdale, New York.
