Range Rover Velar: Mid-Size Modernity

A First Edition model limited to 500 examples will be available exclusively during the Velar’s first year on the market. That’s why JLR chose to come out with this – the Range Rover Velar. And here’s where the Velar name comes in, actually – “Velar” was the name originally given to the very first Range Rover prototypes that Land Rover built back in 1969.

Fourth SUV slots in between the Evoque and Range Rover Sport and is claimed to be the most car-like model to drive from the 4×4 specialist.

Coming to the design, the floating roof and the clamshell bonnet both make their presence in the Velar. While driving the Range Rover Velar, the bottom part of the screen will control climate, seat, and settings, while the upper part controls navigation, phone, and media.

There are also more frugal engines available, such as four-cylinder Ingenium diesels, and the V6 diesel which combines a massive 700Nm of torque with Carbon dioxide emissions of only 167g/km. The Velar sits between the Evoque and Sport in the Range Rover family that has an inclination to luxury when compared to the off-road DNA of the Land Rover brand.

Engine options at launch will be the 2.0 litre Ingenium diesel with 178bhp or 237bhp, the 3.0 litre diesel V6 with 296bhp, the 247bhp 2.0 litre Ingenium petrol and JLR’s 3.0 litre supercharged V6 with 375bhp.

Land Rover says the Velar will be more capable off road than any of its rivals.

Now the time has come to talk oily bits, and as expected, all engines come as standard in conjunction with a ZF 8HP eight-speed auto. It doesn’t, however, forego the company’s off-road credentials with an advanced all-wheel drive system supported by the latest in electronic driver aids and adaptable air suspension on high-end models. The new Velar of course looks a lot like the Range Rover Family look but everything seems to have been made much smoother and better fitting instead of the more pronounced design that features in the Evoque or the Sport.

The Velar takes Land Rover into a segment it’s never competed in before – the compact luxury crossover-coupe segment – but its name is deeply rooted in the company’s history. LED headlights are standard, with four different designs available, up to top-of-the-range adaptive matrix-laser headlights, which give a brighter beam but cast shadows over oncoming cars. There is a pair of 10-inch high definition touchscreens positioned in the centre console separated by the dash bar and the lower screen flows into the centre console. Trim levels range from base, S, SE, R-Dynamic SE, and R-Dynamic HSE. The infotainment system features two multi-function rotary controllers and are distinguished by their tactile, rubberised outer surface, Satin Chrome bezels and seamlessly-integrated digital display screens.

The options list will include the Terrain Response 2 and All Terrain Progress Control traction aids, while a locking rear differential will also be available.

Even before the Velar goes on sale, Land Rover this spring will launch another important SUV, the new seven-passenger Land Rover Discovery, making 2017 another huge year for the British carmaker.

Exterior paint colours for the First Edition include Corris Grey, Silicon Silver, and Flux Silver. The dashboard comprises of two 10-inch screens- one serves the infotainment objective and other features controls for the seat heating and cooling, climate control.