The first official ‘teaser’ image of the Range Rover’s all new SUV, the Velar is out. The Velar will fill the space between Range Rover’s entry level Evoque (49-68 lakhs) and the larger Range Rover Sport (1.2-1.8 crore) and should be priced in the region of (₹75 lakh-1 crore, ex-showroom, Delhi). This means it is all set to go ahead to head with its sister company Jaguar’s F-Pace. The Velar will be built on the same all-aluminum iQ platform as the F-Pace. Which means a far sportier driver, but being a Range Rover you can expect stronger off-roading credentials.
The name ‘Velar’, derived from the Latin word ‘velare’ or ‘to veil’, was the moniker given to disguised prototypes of the original Range Rover in the 1960s, while they were being developed.
The first image of the Velar shows a familiar design language, as seen on the existing Range Rover models, but with far smoother lines than before, it features a continuous sweep from the sides to the rear of the bodywork, creating a sleek, sporty silhouette. This and the smaller, rear window enhances it’s coupé-like styling. Like all Range Rover’s, this one features a panoramic sunroof as well. A glimpse of the infotainment system, showing two screens — one wide and central and one behind the wheel, closely reflects the interior shown on Jaguar’s all-electric I-Pace SUV seen at the LA motor show in November last year.
The Velar will feature the V6 petrol and diesel motors, but as with all other models, it will later shift to the all-new Ingenium range of six-cylinder engines a hybrid variant can be expected as well.
With this new SUV, Range Rover will go head to head with the Porsche Macan and BMW X5. The Range Rover Velar is expected to go on sale in 2018.
