Lifting the veil on perfection
VELAR: A RANGE ROVER TO SUIT MANY MOODS Cuts a dramatic and sleek figure in a more traditional manner than Evoque.
The launch of a new Range Rover is almost certain to come with a lot of expectations, even more so when it is described as “more affordable” than any present derivative.
As evidenced by the hype created around the Evoque in 2011, the Velar created a similar phenomenon when the wraps came off six years later.
Taking its name from the Latin word velaris, meaning veil, the Velar arguably created more of a buzz than the Evoque, if claims of long waiting periods and buyers scaling down from a Sport or fullsize model are to be believed.
Bridging the gap between the Evoque and Sport, the Velar has, in recent years, had its limelight taken way by the Land Rover Defender within the now renamed JLR Group, though it still remains one of Solihull’s overall best-selling models.
It has been kept fresh by means of two facelifts, in 2020 and 2022, the latter representing what is likely to be the final nip and tuck for the oldest model in Range Rover’s product portfolio.
The apparent swansong to the current Velar, therefore, promised a lot when it arrived towards the end of last year in D300 HSE R Dynamic guise, resplendent in a new colour called Varesine Blue Metallic.
Billed at the time of its unveiling as the sportiest Range Rover made – which questions the relevance of the Range Rover Sport – the Velar’s most recent revisions include the grille from the “bigbody” Range Rover, flush door handles and restyled LED head and tail lights.
The former are fitted with the Pixel LED diodes, the latter a standard fitment on the HSE, along with the Dynamic styling package on all models, bar the flagship Autobiography.
The external options fitted to our tester consisted of privacy glass (R9 800), the contrasting black roof (R14 000) and the diamond-turned-gloss grey 10-spoke wire 22-inch alloy wheels (R19 000), wrapped in road-biased Pirelli Scorpion Zero tyres.
As much as styling remains a subjective topic, the Velar still cuts a dramatic and sleek figure in a more traditional Range Rover manner than the Evoque.
Inside, the new centre console that takes the minimalist design philosophy to the extreme by housing only the toggle switch gear lever and a pair of storage cubbies, the Velar takes leave of the touch-sensitive climate control panel, whose functions now feature within the free-standing 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system, which is additionally furnished with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
In typical Range Rover fashion, few could fault the interior’s quality with a mixture of soft-touch plastics combined with the extended package Ebony Windsor leather to create a plush and ergonomically sound place to be without feeling short changed.
The D300 HSE also gets the cracking Meridian sound system as standard, though not the panoramic sunroof, which featured as a R7 100 option along with the new head-up display (R16 000).
The biggest alteration at the initial refresh was also included, the PM2.5 filtration system, which forms part of the R26 180 comfort package, comprising quad-zone climate control, ambient lighting and a cooled glove box.
Boot space is an impressive 673 litres. Dropping the 60/40 split rear back forward through the release handles integrated into the walls of the boot, which at R2 100 should be standard rather than a cost option given the D300 HSE Dynamic’s already eye-watering R2 million price tag, frees up an additional 1 058 litres.
The Velar reserves its biggest highlight for the drive. In the D300, motivation comes from JLR’s 3.0-litre Ingenium straightsix turbodiesel which omits the 48-volt mild-hybrid system offered on the petrol-fuelled P340.
Hooked to the ubiquitous ZFsourced eight-speed automatic gearbox, the unit develops 221kW with low-down precision, yet punches the full 650Nm of torque out with noticeable aplomb should one get a bit greedy with the accelerator.
A combination that suits the Velar in a such way that it could be described as the “perfect Range Rover”, the powertrain not only makes for a smooth to strong-pulling transition, but also a nimbleness that belies its 2 049kg kerb mass.
Comfortable and refined, the Velar comes standard with the Terrain Response 2 system which offers seven modes; Eco, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Grass/Gravel/ Snow, Sand and Mud/Ruts.
Fitted as standard with adaptive air suspension, which increases ground clearance from the standard 205mm to 251mm, the Velar’s ride is smooth and floaty, but not to the point where it feels similar to an equivalent sedan.
This changes in Dynamic mode, as part of the suspension lowers the body and the ride becomes stiffer and throttle response improves to the point where acceleration feels faster than its claimed 0 to 100km/h sprint time of 6.5 seconds.
With rapid acceleration comes a greater reliance on the pumps and despite JLR’s seemingly attainable claim of 7.3l/100km, the Velar D300 recorded an eventual indicated best of 8.8l/100km.
As much as many a scribe has been rapped over the knuckles for describing a particular vehicle as the perfect package, the (deep breath) Range Rover Velar D300 HSE Dynamic makes a valid case for this not only within the Velar range, but possibly the Range Rover line-up as well.
While smaller and not as new as the Sport, or with the amount of power and tech for that matter, its more traditional looks significantly improve interior and status for still being a Range Rover, and it makes it a compelling buy for those seeking a reprieve from the German alternatives.