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Bollinger Motors
By Perry Mack, photos courtesy Bollinger Motors
Inspired by the best off-road vehicles of the last century, this new Sport Utility Truck (SUT) is like a greatest hits compilation updated for the 21st century.
At first glance, I thought I was looking at another bespoke Defender restoration that I couldn’t afford. Then a half second later I realized it was something new, something many of us have been dreaming about – a brand new utilitarian off-road vehicle. And/but, it is electric.
Three things popped into my prejudiced mind. First, why couldn’t it be diesel, and second, damn, these new car companies almost never make it, and finally third – why couldn’t they be Canadian?
Let’s start with the specs because if it doesn’t meet some off-road standards it’s just another boxy soccer Mom SUV. Then we’ll deal with electric. Spoiler alert, the specs look great.
In the 60 kWh version of this 4WD vehicle (the 100kWh is currently in testing), front and rear motors combine to produce 360Hp and 472lb-ft of torque with dual front/rear two speed Hi/Lo range gear boxes, and dual front and rear electronic locking differentials. Towing and payload capacity are both 2767 kg (6100 lb) from a vehicle that weighs 1770 kg (3900 lbs) for a combined GVWR of 4537 kg (10001 lb), engineered for a 50/50 front/rear weight ratio. And it comes standard with a 12,000 lb winch.
The chassis is primarily aluminum with a steel ‘roll cage’. It’s also convertible from full cab to half cab, will fit 4x8 sheets (tail gate down) and has a crazy looking pass through to the front bumper that can hold 24 – 9’ 2x4 boards.
With the supplied LT285/70R17 tires (33”) it has 56°/33°/53° approach/breakover/departure angles. If you’re not getting excited yet, you are very biased against electric or so loyal to your own brand it borders on cult conviction.
The truck is stock with 15.5” of ground clearance, thanks in part to the implementation of portal axles, but can be lowered to 10” by a handy DIY mechanic or raised to 20”. There’s plenty of room for the stock BFG Mud Terrain KM2 A/T’s, and you should be able to get 37” tires after you lift it (if you lift it).
This group of off-road engineers, have built in 10” of wheel travel and provided disconnecting sway bars for even more articulation off-road. Jeep Wrangler owners (like myself) should be twitching in their seats right now as all of the above specs are better than a Rubicon – all in a vehicle that is only slightly larger than the 2-door Wrangler (Wrangler JK at 61.5” track and 95.4” wheelbase vs Bollinger at 68” and 105”).
Unrelated to wheeling but still important (or at least fun), Bollinger has put the Sport back in SUT, as this off-roader will do 0-100 kph (60 mph) in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 205 kph (127mph). Be still this Jeep enthusiast’s heart.
If you’ve managed to get this far in the article, some of you are no doubt screaming – but it is electric!
Let’s tackle the electric ‘elephant’ then, because no wheeler is so brand loyal he isn’t at least curious about a truck with the above specs.
Looks like there will be two options for energy storage – 60 kWh or 100 kWh with ranges of 190 km (120 mi) and 320 km (200 mi) respectively, and charge times from a depleted state to full of 7 hours and 12 hours respectively. The batteries come with an eight-year warranty. When they expire, they can be replaced.
How much will this battery replacement cost? Only time will tell, but with the first deliveries scheduled for 2019, which means you’ll get yours in 2020, then add eight years of minimum expected life, and you’re looking at 2028 before a rebuild. By then, given the drive to build electric or hybrid cars by virtually every automotive manufacturer in the next few years, there will be tens of millions of electric/hybrid cars on the road. Volvo alone sells 500,000 vehicles per year and promises to only make electric/hybrids by 2020. Economies of scale guarantee replacing your batteries will be cheaper than today.
The truck is constructed from the ground up with the batteries enclosed in a rigid frame. At this point, with the wheels on, it resembles a skateboard. Then the body panels and interior are bolted on top. And since battery density improves over the long term by 5-8% per year, your next set of batteries could double your distanced traveled on a charge.
Now back to the Bollinger.
On the upside of electric, you can plug in AC devices like power tools, coolers and work lights into a Bollinger, which makes it the perfect work truck for powerless sites – new construction sites, farm use etc.
The interior has also been designed for work, as the bed and interior can be hosed down to clean it. The stereo is marine grade so it can withstand some splash as you get the grime out.
The interior design is the penultimate vision of utilitarian, with minimalist gauges for speed, rpm and battery level; and knobs for lights, wipers, interior heat, rear defog, fan and air suspension. And a button for A/C.
They will also be making a four door edition that will be 4.03 m ( 159 in) long with a wheel base of 2.9 m (114 in). The larger vehicle will have an additional 6 cu. ft. of cargo volume for a total of 101 cu. Ft.
Pricing won’t be announced until late October at SEMA, and regardless of how many ways I tried to trick Jeff Holland, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer , to let it slip during our interview, all I could get him to admit is that it would competitive with other full-size SUV’s. In which case, since a Chevy Tahoe runs $52,340 to $71,010 CDN, a Ford Excursion around $53,700 to $72,800 CDN; we have our ballpark figures – not cheap, but not astronomical.
If this 4x4 was coming to market with a proven diesel engine I suspect it would deflate the hype of the upcoming Wrangler JL - side from the unknown production quality, quantity, price and lack of financial track record from this brand new automotive builder.
If you go to their website you can put your name on the list to get in line – this costs you nothing. After pricing is announced, you’ll have the opportunity to put down a deposit if you so desire. I for one can’t wait to get behind the wheel, although I’m not ready to take my wallet with me.