American start-up announces deceptively clever EV SUV. We quite want one

Bollinger. Good champagne – 007’s preference (other brands of champagne are available…). Also, the New York-based start-up responsible for the “no nonsense back-to-basics all-electric sport utility truck (SUT) with exceptional off road capability” you see before you. Huh.

Might look simple, but we’re assured it’s not. The B1 is a clean-sheet design that uses an all-aluminium chassis (and steel rollover structure) to keep weight down and proportions in-check. Its wheelbase is just 105in, and at a mere 150in long it’s almost four feet shorter than a Land Rover Discovery – a very good, if massive off-roader.

Bollinger quotes approach and departure angles of 56 and 53 degrees respectively, with a break-over angle of 33 degrees and 15.5 inches of ground clearance. However, because the B1 rides on fully-adjustable, self-leveling, four-wheel independent, hydro-pneumatic suspension with “disconnectable” anti-roll bars, it can be raised through many more inches as required. Up to 20, in fact. Weight balance is a perfect 50/50, the power steering is hydraulic (yay) and it’ll tow almost three tonnes worth of miscellany.

Context? A Jeep Wrangler has approach and departure angles of, in its most rough-terrain-friendly configuration, 42 and 33 degrees, a break-over angle of 25.8 degrees and a non-adjustable 10 inches of ground clearance.

Like the fastest and most rangey Teslas, the B1 has twin electric motors. One each for the front- and rear-axles for permanent all-wheel drive. It makes 360bhp and 472 lb ft, which means this 1,769kg SUV that must surely have the aerodynamic properties of a Georgian mansion does 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds and 127mph. When it goes on sale, 60 or 100 kWh batteries will be available for 120 or 200 miles of range. A full charge from a normal 220v plug takes seven or 12 hours (45 to 75mins with a DC fast charger).