Land Rover Teases New Velar Model

Land Rover has confirmed that its new model will be called the Range Rover Velar – and revealed that the coupe-SUV will be positioned between the Evoque and the Range Rover Sport in the line-up.

A single teaser image displays the Velar from behind, showcasing a three-quarter-length panoramic glass roof and a shoulder line that tapers aggressively towards the vehicle’s rear end. The tail-lights appear to use LED tech to deliver a 3D effect, plus they are horizontal instead of the vertical items of the full-size Range Rover, Auto Express reported.

The image has been chosen specifically by Land Rover because it does not show the car’s side profile.

But it is understood that the Velar will have quite a steep slope on its roofline, in a similar fashion to the Evoque. The view of the cabin from the teaser image is limited, although it does show a widescreen version of JLR’s InControl Touch Pro infotainment system.

Land Rover has revealed few other details about the Velar, but its acknowledgement of the car’s positioning is significant in itself. It means that the new model will take engines from both the Evoque and Range Rover Sport, mixing four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel motors with six-cylinder units. A sportier V8 edition is also likely, along with a plug-in hybrid.

The teaser release also says the car will be “refined for every occasion, for every terrain”, quashing any rumors that Land Rover is about to release a vehicle without its usual off-road ability.

Land Rover’s chief design officer Gerry McGovern claims the new car will “bring a new dimension of glamour, modernity and elegance to the brand.”

The Velar is named after the 26 original Range Rover prototypes; Land Rover used the badge on those cars because it is derived from the Latin word velaris, or ‘to veil or cover’.