Mid-size SUV combines technology with minimalist style
Range Rover has revealed the latest, and all-new, member to its family - the mid-size Velar SUV.
To be launched in New Zealand later this year, the Velar had it’s global media drive in Norway this week.
Sitting between the Range Rover Sport and Evoque, the all-new Velar (pronounced Va-la) is a vehicle that globally has been launched with six powertrains: four four-cylinder and two V6 including three diesel and three petrol engines.
But Range Rover NZ has opted for the 3-ltire V6 engines including the turbo diesel that produces 221kW of power and 700Nm of torque, and the supercharged petrol that has 280kW of power and 450Nm of torque.
New Zealand will get five models, starting with $134,900 for the S, $141,900 for the SE, $146,850 for the R-Dynamic SE, $152,900 for the HSE and $157,850 for the R-Dynamic HSE.
The S sits on 19in alloys, the SE on 20s and HSE on 21in.
The S has standard driving aids of rear view camera, blind spot monitoring plus front and rear parking aid.
Move up to the SE and you also get 360 degree camera while the HSE also has rear traffic detection.
It’s the fourth Range Rover in the family and as the company says, isn’t just a longer Evoque or a shorter Sport but an altogether new product.
The Velar is 4803mm long, 2030mm wide, 1657 high with a wading depth of 650mm and a weight of 2540kg, while towing capacity is 2500kg braked.
The exterior design has been streamlined including flushed door handles and brushed cooper inserts with the minimum amount of lines.
But it’s the technology inside that’s impressive, including the next generation infotainment system for the brand, touch pro duo.
As many switches and buttons as possible have been removed and instead there are two screens (hence the name duo); a main one that shows such functions as satnav, and a lower one that has floating rotary dials for functions such as the air conditioning.
The steering wheel also gets a step up in technology with ‘glide over’ dials, which reduces the need to push buttons, plus a new head up display that includes multi colour and navigation information.
And in case you’re wondering, the name Velar comes from a 1979 Range Rover prototype, which took it from the Latin word Velaris “to hide” but there’ll be no hiding now with the medium SUV already for sale in Europe and the UK.
