New Range Rover Velar unwrapped – Spot the difference

Land Rover has revealed the updated Range Rover Velar, which has seen a number of improvements to the exterior design, the cabin’s equipment offerings, and the hybrid powertrain.

The luxury SUV will once again be offered in Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, and Autobiography specifications, and is driven by a line-up of four different engines.

The new Velar is now available to order in South Africa, with local deliveries to commence around midway through the year. Official pricing will be made available at a later stage, said Range Rover.

What’s new

Visually, the SUV has seen a host of additions including a new grille design, a lowered rear bumper with dark accents, “jewel-like” daytime running lights, and a set of super-slim Pixel LED headlights with “dynamic light-bending technology” for reduced dazzle.

The more significant changes, however, are found in the cabin.

The Velar now sports a single 11.4-inch curved floating glass touchscreen running the brand’s latest Pivi Pro infotainment software granting access to 80% of the vehicle’s functions within two finger taps, such as the individually customizable four-zone climate control or the terrain response modes.

This operating system is capable of receiving over-the-air software updates which allow the car to run the latest What3Words global navigation app, as well as on-board diagnostics for the chassis and powertrain, without the need to visit a dealership.

Drivers also have the option to enable WiFi through a data plan, thanks to embedded SIM technology and cloud architecture found in the updated infotainment system.

Continuing the luxurious treatment, the cabin features 30 different ambient lighting settings and an Active Road Noise Cancellation function capable of reducing sound levels by 4dB, which is made possible thanks to a Meridian 3D Signature Sound System.

Furthermore, Land Rover is continuing its range of leather-free upholstery options, allowing customers to choose a Danish Kvadrat wool textile with a diamond perforation pattern, which has an expected lifetime equivalent to 10 years of use.

As for those who still prefer leather trims, buyers have four different colours to choose from comprising Cloud, Caraway, Raven Blue, and Deep Garnet. These choices are then complemented by moonlight chrome accents to the steering wheel, centre console, and air vents.

The body gets two new paint schemes, too, in the form of a metallic Varesine Blue or metallic Zadar Grey.

Updated engine

The engine line-up for the Velar remains largely unchanged, with the biggest alteration being to the P400e plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model.

The battery that powers the PHEV’s 105kW motor has increased in size by 12% and now sits at 19.2kWh, the result being that the SUV’s electric range has improved by 20% for a new total of 64km.

Combined with the 2.0-litre internal combustion engine, the P400e now has a combined petrol and electric range of 684km, a 0-100km/h time of 5.4 seconds, and a top speed of 209km/h.

The improvements to the electric setup also mean that the hybrid’s already-frugal 2.3l/100km consumption figure has been brought down even further to just 1.6l/100km.

Regarding charging capabilities, the Velar can support up to a 50kW DC cable meaning an 80% charge is possible in 30 minutes, while a normal 7kW AC current will bring the recharge time up to two and a half hours.

The rest of the Velar engine range has seen the addition of 48-volt mild-hybrid technologies to improve fuel efficiency, said Range Rover.

Outputs for the various powertrains coming to South Africa are detailed in the following table:

Regardless of the chosen engine, the SUV ships with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive – with all six-cylinder as well as the PHEV and HSE-spec four-cylinder models additionally receiving an Adaptive Dynamic suspension system for better response to changing driving conditions.

Buyers will also have the option to add electronic air suspension for improved ride comfort.

Range Rover Velar