Updated Velar gets redesigned interior and PHEV range boost
THE REINVENTION OF the Land Rover line-up continues, as the Range Rover Velar comes in for a significant midlife facelift aimed at boosting the model’s appeal ahead of its final few years on sale.
The headline upgrade is substantial revisions to the P400e plug-in hybrid, which, thanks to a boost in battery capacity from 13.6kwh to 19.2kwh, can now travel 40 miles on electricity alone, up from 33 previously. Also its battery can now take rates of up to 50kw, making it one of the fastestcharging PHEVS on sale.
The P400e continues to pair a 296bhp four-cylinder petrol engine with a 141bhp EV motor in the gearbox for 398bhp and 472lb ft, which propels it from 0-62mph in just 5.4sec and on to a top speed of 130mph.
The four-cylinder petrol engine is available without electric assistance in the 248bhp P250, but the other engine options come with mild-hybrid assistance: a four-cylinder diesel with 202bhp and a pair of straight sixes, one petrol and one diesel, with 395bhp and 296bhp respectively.
The updated car brings a number of subtle exterior design tweaks, but the most obvious visible change comes in the form of a new 11.4in ‘floating’ touchscreen, which runs the latest generation of JLR’S Pivi Pro infotainment.
Underneath the new touchscreen is a minimalistic new centre console with a hidden storage cubby and a wireless smartphone charger beneath it.
Prices for the updated Velar start at £54,045 for the entry-level D200 S and top out at £79,825 for the topspec P400 Autobiography.
Customer deliveries are due to get under way in the coming weeks.