RANGE ROVER VELAR
Customers can also interact with the Velar remotely. The InControl Remote app allows the owner to lock and unlock their vehicle, check how much fuel is in the tank, or where the car is parked using a smartphone or smartwatch. It’s even possible to start the engine and set the climate control system or park heater remotely.
MATERIAL MATTERS
Authentic materials of the highest quality and contemporary finishes underline the Velar’s luxury status. The cockpit’s new embossed Cut Diamond signature design, which flows from the instrument panel through to the door casings, highlights the width of the spacious cabin. The new design is subtly echoed throughout the interior and is repeated on the stainless steel speakers.
The standard models feature Suedecloth and Luxtec upholstery with distinctive twin-needle stitching. The S and SE models upgrade to high-quality, perforated grained leather. And, the top HSE specification is equipped with luxuriously soft perforated Windsor leather, which extends to the instrument panel and door casings.
SAFETY FIRST
The Velar showcases the latest safety technologies as it combines six airbags with an array of advanced driver assistance systems, including Adaptive Cruise Control with Queue Assist. It also received a fivestar Euro NCAP safety rating.
GO EVERYWHERE
Double-wishbone front- and integrallink rear suspension provides the perfect basis for agile handling and notable ride comfort. The Velar features a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and Land Rover’s unmatched suite of traction technologies, including Terrain Response 2 and All-Terrain Progress Control. The Velar – like all Range Rovers – offers exceptional all-terrain capability, and the optional four-corner air suspension delivers class-leading ground clearance and wading depth.
POWER UP
Excellent performance comes from the range of six petrol and diesel powertrains; all matched to a smooth-shifting ZF eight-speed automatic transmissions and all-wheel drive with Intelligent Driveline Dynamics. Chief among these are the V6 diesel that delivers an extraordinary 700 Nm of torque, and the 280 kW supercharged V6 petrol that accelerates from 0-100 km/h in only 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE
The Velar and Velar R-Dynamic range comprise Standard, S, SE and HSE specifications. Customers can also specify Black and Premium exterior packs for an even more distinguished appearance. Pricing ranges from R947,700 to R1,539,800, excluding optional extras, and all-new Land Rover vehicles come with the Land Rover Five-Year Care Plan: a five-year/100,000 km service plan, a five-year/100,000 km maintenance plan, and a five-year/100,000 km warranty, as standard.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
What better than a road trip in inclement weather to get to terms with the new Range Rover Velar, which is exactly what we got when the heavens opened up over a dry Western Cape during the launch event. From our overnight accommodation at L’Ermitage in Franschhoek to lunch at Bosjes, located between Wellington and Ceres, and back to Cape Town via the Du Toit’s Kloof tunnel, the Velar took everything in its gracious stride, including long stretches of rain-soaked dirt roads, on which the Velar felt like it was on rails, courtesy of its all-wheel traction. Power delivery is much better than the Range Rover Evoque, but not nearly as potent as the Range Rover Sport – however still very competitive in its class. The interior feels as spacious and luxurious as the Range Rover Sport, and the driver/car interface and connectivity is comparable to that of the class-leading Volvo XC60. Our verdict? It’s a Range Rover!
LAST WORD
There can be no doubt that the Range Rover Velar brings a new dimension of glamour, modernity, and elegance to the market. Refined for every occasion and every terrain, the Velar is destined to continue Land Rover’s drive to go above and beyond.