By Otsile Kadiege

Land Rover has updated the Range Rover Velar with a refined interior, new technology and a range of powertrains that include a plug-in hybrid.

Interior and technology

The updated Range Rover Velar features a reductive design emphasised by seamlessly integrated digital screens that are now fitted with Land Rover’s state-of-the-art infotainment system, Pivi and Pivi Pro with the latter only being available on the S-specification pack.  The system is designed around ease of use, with a simple interface reducing the number of interactions to enhance safety. Land Rover promises crisp new graphics and super-fast responsiveness. As standard, the new Range Rover Velar is also fitted with a suite of new cameras enabling two key new features – 3D Surround Camera and ClearSight Ground View via the 10-inch touch display.

To help reduce the levels of harmful particulates, pollen and even odours, the updated Velar is fitted with a new Cabin Air Filtration system which can be activated via a ‘Purify’ button in the lower touch display which is capable of filtering ultrafine particulates (up to and even below PM2.5). Other features include a redesigned steering wheel design which has integrated smart buttons ready to receive the latest ADAS software updates over-the-air. A tactile new Drive Selector also replaces the rotary gear selector.

Also available is the new water-resistant and shock-proof second-generation wearable Activity Key wrist device which incorporates an LCD watch and allows customers to start, stop, lock and unlock the vehicle.

Special edition

There’s a new ‘Range Rover Velar Landmark Edition’ that’s based on the R-Dynamic SE specification. It provides even more customer choice and features a combination of exterior and interior upgrades. These enhancements include a black contrast roof and matching 20-inch black alloy wheels, for sophisticated presence. The distinctive new special Landmark Edition model is available exclusively in Lantau Bronze metallic paint, as well as the new Hakuba Silver, Santorini Black or Eiger Grey.

New powertrains

Powering the Velar is a new family of in-line six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, more efficient four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, as well as a new plug-in hybrid. The latter, dubbed P400e, is powered by a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid producing a combined 297kW and 640Nm of torque. It’s paired to an advanced eight-speed automatic transmission and can sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds. A 17.1kWh lithium-ion battery, located under the boot floor, can be charged to 80 percent in just 30 minutes using a fast DC charge point or 1 hour 40 minutes using a standard 7kW wallbox. Land Rover claims that in electric mode the P400e has a real-world all-electric range of 61km and fuel economy as low as 2.3 litres/100km.

The lightweight 3.0-litre straight-six Ingenium petrol engine in the P340 MHEV delivers 250kW and 480Nm of torque, with acceleration from 0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds. Meanwhile, the new straight-six D300 diesel engine produces 221kW and 650Nm of torque to deliver powerful performance, with acceleration from 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds. 

The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder Ingenium diesel engine – badged D200 – now replaces the previous D180 and D240 options, producing 147kW and 430Nm, and a claimed fuel consumption of up 6.3l/100km. The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder Ingenium petrol in the P250 produces 184kW and 365Nm while returning a claimed average fuel consumption of 7.8l/100km.

Pricing

Velar D200 S                                       R1,290,100

Velar D300 S                                       R1,458,600

Velar P250 S                                        R1,290,100

Velar P340 S                                        R1,438,700

Velar P400e S                                      R1,651,200

Velar D200 R-Dynamic SE                   R1,382,900

Velar D300 R-Dynamic SE                   R1,551,300

Velar P250 R-Dynamic SE                   R1,382,900

Velar P340 R-Dynamic SE                   R1,531,500

Velar P400e R-Dynamic SE                 R1,739,100

Velar D200 R-Dynamic HSE                R1,492,000

Velar D300 R-Dynamic HSE                R1,631,000

Velar P250 R-Dynamic HSE                R1,492,000

Velar P340 R-Dynamic HSE                R1,611,200

Velar P400e R-Dynamic HSE              R1,834,000

Velar D200 Landmark Edition             R1,428,200

Velar D300 Landmark Edition             R1,596,600

Velar P250 Landmark Edition             R1,428,200

Velar P340 Landmark Edition             R1,576,800