Show And Tell

Jez Spinks Finds the New Velar to Be an Impressively Stylish Addition to the Small Range Rover Family.
 

Velar – derived from the Latin word for ‘cover’ – was the name given to the 1969 prototypes that aimed to conceal development of the original Range Rover, though there’s no disguising Land Rover’s 21st-Century ambitions.

Just one ‘Rangie’ existed for 33 years until 2003; Velar becomes the fourth – slotting in between the Evoque and Range Rover Sport that emerged, respectively, in 2011 and 2004.

It’s priced accordingly, starting from $71,550, where the Evoque kicks off in the $50K bracket and the Sport from $91,000.

Ditherers beware, though: there’s a staggering 40-odd variants from which to choose, and your account can be depleted by up to $135,562 (or $168,862 for the limited-run P380 First Edition we drove).

Like the Evoque, the Velar – pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable – looks like a concept vehicle that’s mistakenly been approved for real-world use. Our First Edition model even came with show car-style, wheel arch-engulfing 22-inch wheels.

With its rising waistline and tapering glass area sandwiched by overhangs that are short up front but long at the rear, plus ultra-slim headlights and tail-lights, the Velar is pure visual drama.

As is access. Press the key fob on approach, and chunky, motorised door handles that were flush with the bodywork deploy outwards.