It’s been six years since Land Rover expanded the Range Rover line beyond the massive, all-conquering luxury off-roaders that were synonymous with the name, with the introduction of the smaller Evoque. Since then, the baby Rangie has been a runaway success, so the company has sought to repeat it with a new midsize model slotting between the Evoque and the Range Rover Sport – the Range Rover Velar.
Deriving its name from the codename of the original Range Rover prototypes, the Velar looks to have grown significantly from the Evoque, judging by the sole exterior photo provided. The tail lights are now broader with twin U-shaped light guides, and are covered by a single transparent cover that wraps around the entire rear end, carrying the Range Rover badge with it.
Meanwhile, the rear protective bumper cover takes after the Evoque with an inverted U-shape, while the neat door handles sit flush with the bodywork. The panoramic roof gives us a peek at the interior, with a Range Rover-derived steering wheel and a large touchscreen – likely the 10.2-inch unit belonging to the top InControl Touch Pro infotainment system.
“We call the Velar the avant-garde Range Rover. It brings a new dimension of glamour, modernity and elegance to the brand,” said design director Gerry McGovern. “The Range Rover Velar changes everything.”
The Velar is set to share the same aluminium-intensive platform as the Jaguar F-Pace, and will likely go after the same rivals (BMW X3, Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Porsche Macan), albeit in a more traditional SUV manner rather than the Jaguar’s “practical sports car” approach.
Expect the new model to get the same engines as the F-Pace, too, including new Ingenium 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, a 3.0 litre twin-turbo diesel V6 and a 3.0 litre supercharged petrol V6. A V8 is likely also in the cards, perhaps in the inevitable hot SVR model. Four-wheel drive is almost certainly standard across the range, along with an eight-speed automatic transmission on all but the base models.
The new Range Rover Velar will be revealed on March 1, ahead of the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.
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Nobody will buy Range Rover once Bentley SUV and Jaguar SUV eat their share.
Already Jaguar SUV is wiping out Range Rover completely. Range Rover can close shop soon.
F-Pace still too big and expensive. Maybe next E-Pace will be a direct competitor.
LOL. I like it when they introduce the Evoque, they call it “small”. Is Rover suggesting that the Brits has grown in “sizes” that they require a bigger ‘small’ SUV ??!
Just starting a conversations bro. No ill intent or malice but a silly comment/idea can light up a boring Wednesday. Cheers …
JLR Malaysia will now go and scratch their heads over their stupid decision to overprice their cars. Now the evoque competes with the macan and the velar with levante?
Got discounts every month
Wait, so are they unveiling the concept or the production vehicle itself?
I think this ‘Velar’ will be a winner for Range Rover. The article didn’t mention that it is only 5cm shorter than Range Rover Sport. So if the pricing point is right, for instance, lower than BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE Coupe, it will compete against these vehicles, and NOT X3, Porsche Macan or Merc GLC. International reviews also highlighted that the vehicle’s width is slightly narrower than RR Sport, hence more driver-friendly for city driving.
Hopefully Range Rover Malaysia will bring in the 2.0 litre engine to keep price down. If you check online for used or reconditioned cars, you can immediately tell that the 2nd hand market for Range Rover Sports is very active. Pointing to the fact that RM795k for new RR Sport is way too high.
There is a big market for corporate executives for Velar I think. Perhaps those who feel that X5 or GLE or Audi Q7 look too bulky, or the more chic Porsche Cayenne and RR Sport too pricey, or long wheel-base Merc S Class hybrid or BMW 7 series hybrid are too conspicuous (or unsuitable for self drive during the weekends).
I suspect a good spec for Velar in Malaysia will be one with 2.0 litrer petrol to keep price down. Preferably it comes with air suspension and panoramic roof, as the executive markets which it will appeal to, will opt for comfort & sporty “looks”, as opposed to sporty “drives”! Panoramic roof will to some extent deals with compromised head room for rear passengers.