2020 Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic is for High-Speed Cruising in Comfort and Agility
Words and photos by Atif Kazmi for Por Homme
Between the Range Rover Sport and the brand’s more compact Evoque sits the well-balanced Velar. Introduced to the market just three years ago, it set a new tone for Range Rover design and infused plenty of tech to keep passengers connected. Young couples and first-time parents love it as it blends space and comfort with year-round capabilities. Trips to Upstate have become easier, especially for those that have migrated out of the city for the time being. Where larger families tend to go for the Range Rover Sport or even the flagship Range Rover HSE, the Velar just feels right. It’s like Tribeca to the City’s Upper West Side. Smaller footprint, more youthful, more edgy and still brings all the right experiences to your doorstep. Hop into the 2020 Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and you’re getting the fastest Velar on the road in a package that elevates an already great thing. We had the opportunity to experience it first-hand just a few weeks back.
Making the case for the Range Rover Velar is quite easy. It’s the most modern Range Rover on the road, features plenty of tech and the drop-off in terms of size and cabin space isn’t as massive from the Range Rover Sport to the Velar as it is to the Evoque. It’s expanded the Range Rover portfolio and brought a ton of first-time Range Rover buyers into the brand. Without even stepping into the cabin, the Velar’s design is art. Beautiful lines and perfect proportions have set the new standard for what we expect from modern, aspirational design and what we’ll be holding Range Rover to with the future models to come.
When you do get around to stepping inside, you’ll be met with a refined, luxurious interior. Step into the driver’s seat and there are small, personal touches that stand out as you go to start the car. The steering wheel’s hidden-until-lit, touch sensitive switches begin to illuminate, the aluminum gearshift paddles standout while the Touch Pro Duo comes to life inside its 10-inch touchscreens. The diamond-quilted perforated Windsor leather front seats feature 20-way movement and deliver heating, cooling, and massaging as standard. The Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic is mindful of all passengers, bringing heated and reclining seats to the rear.
As mentioned, the 2020 Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition is the fastest — and most expensive — Velar on the road. With 550 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque coming from a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, it sounds thunderous and moves swiftly. We’ve seen this powertrain do wonders for the Range Rover Sport and other SUVs in the JLR portfolio, but the Velar seems to be gaining the most. The Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic is nearly 500 pounds lighter than the Sport SVR. Consider this with the Velar’s clean, aero-friendly design and you forget you’re in an SUV a lot faster than you’d think. There are plenty of exterior enhancements that help to differentiate it from the rest of the Velar lineup while optimizing the high-speed airflow. Highlights include the new front bumper which features larger air intakes atop a new front grille and surround. The rear lower bumper and side cladding help to give it an all-around stronger presence.
With the bigger brakes and your choice of 21-inch or 22-inch wheels being paired with the SVO-tuned suspension, the Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic gets pushed to its limits with confidence. This all-season thoroughbred is capable of handling a range of conditions and that’s just what we’ve come to expect from Land Rover SUVs. The Velar’s sports car-like design and characteristics make us forget this sometimes.
See more of the 2020 Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition in the gallery and head to your local Land Rover dealership to see it for yourself. Pricing starts at $90,790.
