You might be forgiven for thinking that the boxy Scottish Munro EV MK1 is a repurposed Bollinger EV SUV as the two vehicles are remarkably similar. The reason for this is quite simple: Ross Compton, the creative force behind Munro MK1 was, before the shelving of the Bollinger B1 and B2 SUVs, a member of the Bollinger design team. Mr. Compton was also responsible for the Atlis Motors XT, so that’s three angular and cubic off-road EVs on his award-winning portfolio.
It is worth noting that Defender design cues are also quite obvious, and we noticed that the prototype vehicle on the Munro website is sitting tall on a set of classic Land Rover axles, which got us thinking. After a bit of digging, we found a Fifth Gear YouTube video and an article on the press page of the Munro website that describe the origin of the vehicle concept and initial design. We were not surprised to discover that the MK1 shares much more Land Rover DNA than first meets the eye. Essentially, the frame and running gear of the Munro MK1 are from the British off-roader Ibex Automotive, which is manufactured by Foers Engineering and incorporates many modified donor parts from the classic Land Rover Defender (it is worth noting that Ibex Automotive was and is not involved in the design, engineering or manufacture of the Munro Mk1 EV).
The Munro Mark 1 is an electric 4×4 utility vehicle intended for farm use, which has been developed in Scotland on the platform of the V8-engine from Foers Ibex F8 and by East Kilbride-based company All Terrain All Electric Ltd (now Munro) which was founded in 2019. The Munro MK1 even features the terrible, plastic Defender steering column shroud and wobbly side mirrors, combined with the oh-so Defender body length midline. Let’s hope they have not borrowed the Defender’s reliability.
Starting at £60,000, the MK1 is driven by a centrally located electric motor that boasts a power output of 295 horsepower (220 kilowatts) with a peak torque of 443 pound-feet (600 Newton-meters ), offering a top speed of 80 mph and acceleration of 7.6 seconds from zero to 60 mph. The claimed optimal range is less than 200 miles, and the towing range is approximately 63.5 miles. The transmission is a two-speed central transfer case with a locking differential and front and rear rigid beam axles (which are hopefully up to the task of handling all that power, I am talking about you, half shafts). The vehicle offers permanent four-wheel drive. Being a proper off-roader, the body is appropriately angled and robust. The approach angle is a respectable 84 degrees, the departure angle is 51 degrees, and the breakover angle is 148 degrees. The minimum body clearance is 18.9 inches, and the suspension is coil sprung with shock absorbers.
The angular body is made of galvanized steel (not aluminum as reported elsewhere) bolted onto a ladder frame, and the 5,512-pound vehicle will offer a maximum payload of 2,218 pounds with a maximum towing capacity of 5,512 pounds. The MK1 is also built with integrated roll protection and falling object protection. The front row offers seating for the driver and one passenger, who will enjoy basic climate control, and the second row of seats has been deleted to provide a cavernous load area. It seems that the Munro was initially designed as a five-seater, but, for whatever reason (we suspect licensing challenges), it will now be marketed solely as a commercial vehicle. 
According to the website, “Munro is a company centered around building EVs for miners, tree surgeons, quarriers, farmers, search and rescue teams, and other heavy industry sectors. We are building tough trucks capable of more than that of any road-going 4×4. Munro Vehicles was established in 2021 by Russ Peterson and Ross Anderson to create a practical, go-anywhere-do-anything EV for the world’s heaviest industries.”
The Munro MK1 will be available in the USA. Glasgow-based EV leasing specialist Wyre recently secured exclusive rights for selling and distributing the Munro 4×4 utility EV as a stateside commercial vehicle.
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