SUVs have become symbols of ultra-masculinity and what better to define this than the Range Rover.
Land Rover has added its fourth member to the Range Rover line of cars and the 2018 Range Rover Velar is all set to capture the limelight soon.
The Velar was teased on Feb. 22 by the company and full details on the car have been announced as promised — on March 1.
The Velar
The 2018 Velar is a suave, stylish SUV, fitting in between the sizes of the Range Rover Sport and the Evoque. The Range Rover Sport is a mid-sized SUV while the Evoque is a small crossover. The Velar thus lends flexibility and diversity to the luxury car maker's array of cars.
Even though the Velar has been manufactured on the same platform as the Jaguar F-Pace, which was released amid much fanfare, it has a distinct style of its own. The Velar is designed so that it maintains the classic Range Rover essence, while still having its uniqueness.
"We call the Velar the avant-garde Range Rover. It brings a new dimension of glamour, modernity and elegance to the brand. The Range Rover Velar changes everything," shared Gerry McGovern, the Chief Design Officer of Land Rover at the time of its introduction.
The Features
The 2018 Velar has been fit with flat, folding door handles, which is a new addition to the SUVs. The subtle copper detailing and sleek LED headlights promise to set the bar for the next generation of SUVs.
Inside the chassis, the Velar is kitted with a couple of ultra-thin 10-inch touch screens, which control the entertainment and climate control. A mounted display also shows a digital odometer, which is on the windshield in the line of vision of the driver.
The Velar is comfortable and spacious, despite its low roof. It offers a 34.4 cubic feet of cargo in the boot, behind the back row of seats. This makes it stand out among its competition, such as the BMW X3, the Audi Q5, the Porsche Macan, and the Mercedes GLC.
The Velar has been christened after Land Rover's first Range Rover model, the 1969 Range Rover Velar.
It is set to come in three variants: the 180 HP 2.0 liters Ingenium diesel-powered engine, a 247-horsepower Ingenium gas-powered engine and a 380-horsepower 3.0-liter V-6 gas engine. All three cars will be equipped with eight-speed automatic gear transmission and the classic Range Rover all-wheel drive.
Moving on to the technical aspects of the Velar, it has been fitted with the signature Terrain Response 2 system, which can be used for scanning the area around the car and adjust its traction accordingly.
Other features can also be modified in order to adapt to the off-road conditions. The adaptive cruise control can improve driving in sporadic traffic conditions. The Intelligent Driveline Dynamics System can maneuver bulky trailers around tough bends. The V-6 gas engine variant of the Velar can pull and tow up to 5,500 pounds.
Price
The Velar is going to be launched in the United States in the coming months and the standard, SE, HSE and S models will be available for sale.
There is also a limited First Edition package which will be accessible only to 500 customers. The price of the Velar starts from $49,990 and goes up to $89,000 for the First Edition.
The 2018 Velar is all set to smash through the competition with its sturdy yet chic look and smooth control on the wheel. The namesake to the original 1969 Range Rover will therefore be one of the most eagerly awaited cars of the year.
