MOTORING NEWS - A new addition to the Range Rover family, filling the gap between the Range Rover Evoque and the Range Rover Sport, has arrived on local shores.
The manufacturer promises the Range Rover Velar will bring a new dimension of presence, modernity and minimalist design to the Range Rover family.
This is a new Range Rover for a new type of customer and was created from a clean sheet, using Jaguar Land Rover's lightweight aluminium architecture.
The Velar lays claim to being the next chapter in the Range Rover success story as Britain's biggest luxury export.
Defined by a visually reductive approach and meticulous attention to precision in every detail, Velar is most likely a preview of the next generation of Range Rover vehicles.
Velar's design is beautifully balanced, from its powerful proportions to its continuous waistline through to the taut tapered lines of the rear.
The generous wheelbase contributes significantly to its elegance while helping to provide a spacious interior.
"Velar is the compelling, stand-out design in the class, showcasing perfectly optimised volume, powerful, taut surfaces and a stunning silhouette," says Gerry McGovern, chief design officer of Land Rover.
The large alloy wheels dramatise the vehicle's silhouette, while further enhancing Velar's road presence.
Spacious interior.
TECHNOLOGY
Advanced technology is part of Velar's contemporary design. The headlights are the most slender on a production Land Rover.
The flush door handles emphasise Velar's reductive, sculptured form and contribute to the low drag coefficient of only 0,32.
This is the most aerodynamically-efficient Land Rover ever produced.
Inside Velar's interior you will find elegant simplicity, sophistication and refinement.
An unwavering belief in reductionism has been fully employed, with switches being kept to an absolute minimum.
Design enabling technology has been used to create the new Touch Pro Duo infotainment system which is the centrepiece of Velar's interior.
Touch Pro Duo features two 10" high-definition touch screens integrated seamlessly behind hidden surfaces.
These slim displays work in harmony with the cabin architecture while adding a sense of modernity in line with the vehicle's exterior design.
With a class-leading luggage compartment volume of 673 litres, Velar's practicality is in line with the rest.
There is plenty of boot space.
Velar offers a sustainable, premium textile seat material as alternative to leather. The dapple grey material was developed with Kvadrat, Europe's leading manufacturer of high-quality design textiles.
The material is complemented with suede cloth inserts in ebony or light oyster.
The light and stiff, aluminium-intensive body with double-wishbone front and integral link rear suspension, provides the perfect basis for agile handling and superior ride comfort.
SAFETY
The structure also delivers exceptional levels of crash protection and the Velar has been developed to meet the most demanding crash test regulations.
Combined with a comprehensive restraints system that includes six airbags and a suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including Adaptive Cruise Control with Queue Assist, the Velar integrates the latest safety technologies.
The Velar features a sophisticated all-wheel drive system, four-corner air suspension, class-leading ground clearance of 251mm (213mm when equipped with coil springs), a class-leading wading depth of 650mm (600mm when equipped with coil springs) and Land Rover's unmatched suite of traction technologies including Terrain Response 2 and All Terrain Progress Control.
The latest technology at your fingertips.
Exceptional performance and efficiency comes from a range of six petrol and diesel powertrains, all matched to smooth-shifting ZF eight-speed automatic transmissions and all-wheel drive with Intelligent Driveline Dynamics.
Clean, refined four-cylinder Ingenium diesels are offered in 132kW and 177kW variants, noted for their low 142g/km CO² emissions and high 500Nm torque output respectively.
These engines are joined by two new and highly advanced four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engines delivering 184kW and 365Nm.
The 0 to 100km acceleration takes 6,7 seconds.
The more powerful variant with outputs of 221kW and 400Nm, achieves the 0 to 100km sprint in 6,0 seconds.
The V6 diesel combines an extraordinary 700Nm of torque for effortless acceleration and off-road capability with CO² emissions of only 167g/km.
The 280kW supercharged V6 petrol engine combines exhilarating performance with a unique soundtrack and enables the Velar to reach 100km/h in only 5,7 seconds, before reaching an electronically-limited top speed of 250km.
Customers can also specify Black and Premium exterior packs for an even more distinguished appearance.
SPECIFICATIONS
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.
Customers can build their own Velar using the Land Rover Configurator.
All new Land Rover vehicles come with the Land Rover five year care plan: a five year or 100 000km service plan, five year or 100 000km maintenance plan and a five year or 100 000km warranty, as standard.
ARTICLE: ANICA KRÜGER, MOTORING GUIDE EDITOR | GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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