Chris Riley
Wow. It’s been more than four years since we last drove Range Rover’s Velar and not much has changed.
Named the most beautiful car in the world in 2018, the name Velar comes from a series of pre-production Range Rovers in 1969.
They’ve just updated the range with the addition of a plug-in hybrid that adds 53km of electric-only range — but other than that it all looks familiar.
In terms of size, Velar sits between Evoque and Sport, and shares a platform with cousin the Jaguar F-Pace.
Interestingly, although they all come with all-wheel drive, it lacks low range gearing, so any off-road adventures are limited. In fact, it says something about the car, because Velar is a car that’s more about comfort and luxury than getting it dirty.
Land Rover sold 4348 vehicles here last year, 319 of them Velars. Not many you might think, but more than the Discovery and Range Rover put together.
It’s biggest seller? The Defender (it’s new of course).
STYLING
Check out the burnished copper-coloured bling.
It’s an interesting shape that presents differently from different angles. The downside of the steeply raked windscreen and sloping roof line is a trade off in space for style.
The front and rear look the business, but in profile it’s long, skinny and torpedo-like, and not quite in proportion.
The door handles sit flush with the body and pop out when the car is unlocked, but it is the old-style system with a small, finger-operated button to initiate the process.
Notice I didn’t say ‘thumb’ because the button is located on the right-hand side of the handle – I guess it works for left-handed people.
You’d think after nigh on six years, it would be time for a makeover?
And, as we went to press, JLR revealed pics and details of a new model which made its worldwide entrance on the TikTok social media platform.
The redesign is described as minimalist, but frankly the new model looks just like the current one.
The big changes can be found in the cabin where twin touchscreens have made way for a single 11.4-inch curved screen that controls everything, in line with other family members.
Land Rover is taking orders now, but there is no indication at this stage of when those orders will be filled.
The current range kicks off with the four-cylinder R-Dynamic S P250 and SE P250, priced from $96,600 and $98,900 respectively, followed by the six-cylinder SE P400 MHEV ($125,200) and HSE P400 MHEV ($136,700), with the plug-in hybrid P400e PHEV ($138,800) — all of them petrol-based.
One diesel model is offered, the Edition D300 MHEV, priced from $122,900.
Our test vehicle, the HSE P400 MHEV, is finished in Hakuba silver, with an interior decked out in a combination of suede and a denim-like material. The latter can also be found on the door handles.
Although priced from $136,700, a few accessories had been fitted to the car, lifting the price to just over $150,000.
They include a Sliding Panoramic Roof ($4420), Ebony Suedecloth Headlining ($2360), 22-inch Diamond Turned alloys with Satin Light Silver contrast ($2080), Configurable Dynamics ($940), Privacy glass ($890), Interactive Driver display ($890), Illuminated metal front treadplates with R-Dynamic branding ($640), Premium cabin lighting ($540), Reduced section spare wheel ($530), Terrain Response 2 with Dynamic Program ($430), Argento Pinstripe veneer ($220) and Chrome IP end caps ($210).
Did I say a few? Phew!
Standard kit in the entry model includes 20-inch wheels, two-zone climate air and seats trimmed in a combination of perforated grained leather and suede, with ebony morzine headlining, perforated full leather steering wheel, 14-way power-adjust seats and a power-operated tailgate.
There’s also auto high beam, auto lights and wipers, auto dimming rear view mirror, front and rear parking sensors, LED headlights with signature DRLs and animated indicators plus traffic sign recognition and adaptive speed limiter.
By the time you get to HSE it’s got 21-inch wheels, matrix LED headlights, power-adjust steering column, 20-way power adjust seats that are heated and cooled, with massage and driver memory.
Velar is covered by a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty, 5-year roadside assistance and 5-year service plan.
The latter priced at $1950 for P250, $1950 for P400e, $2250 for P400 and $2650 for D300.
INFOTAINMENT
Infotainment comes courtesy of a 10.0-inch pivoting touchscreen and the Pivo Pro operating system, with Bluetooth, Alexa voice control, built-in navigation, AM/FM/DAB radio, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, plus a 12-month pre-paid data plan.
No mention of wireless phone charging, but there’s 1 x USB-A and 1 x USB-C (Charge and connect) in the first row and 2 x USB-C and a 12-volt power socket in the second row.
A 400-watt Meridian audio system with 12 speakers is standard. HSE ups this to 3D surround sound, with 750 watts and 17 speakers.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The P400’s 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine, together with a mild hybrid battery/electric motor generates 294kW of power at 5500 revs and 550Nm of torque
between 2000 and 5000 revs.
Drive is to all four wheels through a conventional eight-speed auto, with satin chrome gearshift paddles, but it lacks low range gearing.
To be continued …
