Land Rover has officially unveiled the 2018 Range Rover Velar, a mid-sized luxury SUV that will sit between the current Evoque and Range Rover Sport. The fourth member of the Range Rover family features a fresh new design that really has our attention, well before we’re able to even mention the tech and interior detailing. The Range Rover Velar was shown off at London’s famed Design Museum where it fit in quite nicely. All we love about Range Rover and its refined approach to automotive design is present in the Range Rover Velar. It’s well-proportioned, with its formal, horizontal feature lines, floating roof and continuous waistline, through to the taut and tapered lines at the rear. The optional 22-inch wheels really set it off and blend that with the LED headlights on the familiar front end and you’ve got one heck of a proposition.
Step inside and you’re welcomed by an inviting cabin that’s fitted with a ton of luxury detailing that’s focused on ease and comfort. The new Land Rover Touch Pro Duo infotainment system features two touchscreen 10-inch screens for a more seamless interior while the Velar most is made to seat five comfortably.
And all the while, the Velar is setting up to be every bit an SUV as the Discovery or big-body Range Rover HSE. It’s got a lightweight and stiff aluminium-intensive body structure and a double-wishbone front- and Integral Link rear suspension, aimed at providing the perfect balance between agile handling and top-tier ride comfort.
The Range Rover Velar will come with a range of trims and powertrain options, including a 180HP four-cylinder Ingenium diesel that delivers 317 lb-ft. of torque. There’s also a new 247HP four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine which enables acceleration from 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds. There’s a 380-horsepower supercharged V6 petrol engine as well that effortlessly blends luxury and sport. There are four spec builds, including Standard, S, SE and HSE, all of which extend across the powertrain options. In this first year though, all eyes will be on the super-exclusive Velar First Edition. It’s limited to approximately 500 units in the U.S. and available for one model year only, while also being the most luxurious of the Range Rover Velar lineup. For the Velar First Edition, you get a ton of great options standard, including full extended leather interior, as well as a copper weave carbon fiber trim finisher, to complement the perforated Windsor leather seats finished in two tone Light Oyster/Ebony, a 1,600W Meridian Signature Sound System, and special 22-inch Split-Spoke wheels with diamond-turned finish.
It’s a lot to take in, but that’s expected anytime you’re introducing a new vehicle like nothing before it. The Range Rover Velar is designed and engineered at Jaguar Land Rover’s development centers in the UK, with production taking place at the company’s Solihull production facility. It goes on sale later this year and will be priced to sell with a starting price of $49,900. Check it out in our gallery above.
