The new Range Rover Velar, the SUV that sits between the Evoque and the Range Rover Sport is here. We have been waiting for this. Really? Another new Range Rover based on the same platform as the higher end version? Lots of touch sensitive buttons, but still it can’t offer the same level of autonomous driving or even a night vision assist?
Basically, the Velar is just a new Range Rover that looks more expensive than the other ones. Yes, it does offer matrix LED laser headlights, and new driving assistance systems, and it does somehow offer autonomous driving. However, I couldn’t find any new technologies to talk about.
The best part of the Velar is that it is light, weighing between 1.8-1.9 tonnes depending on the engine option. The V8 has finally gone. Honestly, who offers V8 nowadays? BMW X5 and Volvo XC90, Audi Q7 have already dropped the V8 from their engine range. The V8 is gone.
Retractable door handle? Yes, that’s what the Velar offers. However, it is already available on the Tesla, and I really don’t see the point of it.
Good things with the Velar are that finally Land Rover has designed a new vehicle using a reductionism design approach. If any lines are unnecessary, just remove them from the design. That’s a really good approach and makes the design more appealing. They should have done it earlier.
The best aspect of the story is Ellie Goulding. She drove the new Range Rover Velar for a charity event in NYC.
Many people will say, Range Rover Velar offers this and that. However, what I really want to know is which driving assistance or pre-crash system is better than the German rivals or the Tesla?
I really love the Land Rover brand but I am not happy with the existing approach. Land Rover needs to focus on smaller engine size, pre-crash systems, autonomous driving and serious electrification. However, they should offer better technologies than their German competitors. They did it before, but now they are just trying to be posher.
Photo credit / Land Rover