Range Rover Velar has marvellous driving qualities
A new addition to the Range Rover family arrived late last year. The Range Rover Velar is strikingly different – yes you can see the Range Rover lineage but more a statement of style, a city slicker designed more for urban living rather than the bush track. Land Rover’s designer Gerry McGovern, suggesting it brings a new dimension of glamour, modernity and elegance to the brand. It certainly does that fitting between the small Evoque and Range Rover Sport and sharing its fundamental underpinnings with Jaguar’s F-Pace. The model choice is amazing – 40 different variants made up of Standard and R-Dynamic body treatments, each in four trim grades standard, S, SE and HSE and wait for it, no less than six engine choices. I drove the 3.0-litre diesel D300 SE grade – with 700Nm of torque driving through an eight-speed automatic –Price $112,850 with an eye watering $32,000 in extras including $7,730 for heated and cooled seats. Frankly, after you’re quoted this option price you’d need the seat cooling function. But having said that as a driver around town, where frankly most Range Rover’s spend their time, the driving qualities are simply marvelous. The Range Rover Velar’s body design is very appealing architecturally, a stunning silhouette, taking SUV design to a new high. Nice touches like flush deployable door handles and classy inside in both finish and texture. Two 10-inch high definition touch screens are impressive but can take your eyes off road at times for simple functions. I’m David Berthon
Download this podcast here