Range Rover Velar Reigns Supreme

author: FutureCar Staff    

By all accounts, the Queen had a deep affection for her Range Rover. It was a familiar sight to see her driving around the grounds of Windsor in her 2004 model, preferring to take the wheel herself rather than relying on chauffeurs or police protectors.

A royal Range Rover, similar to the Queen's, was recently put up for auction with an estimated value of £50,000 to £60,000. Despite its steep price compared to a non-royal version, it is still considered a good value. With 110,000 miles on the clock, it still has plenty of life left and features a 4.4 litre V8 BMW engine, along with extras like a dog guard to keep the corgis at bay. The final selling price of the vehicle remains undisclosed, but it is believed to have been a memorable bargain for the buyer.

However, the focus now shifts to an even more luxurious version of the Range Rover: the Velar. Priced at £75,400, it is undeniably expensive. Nevertheless, considering the exorbitant prices of some unremarkable cars these days, the Velar can be seen as a comparative steal, potentially even being the best car on the road.

The Range Rover has always been a popular choice among captains of industry, footballers, showbusiness stars, and lottery winners. It strikes a perfect balance between practicality and status, managing to be a highly functional vehicle without being ostentatious. While some £75,000 cars may attract glares, the Velar manages to avoid this negative attention.

The Velar is an incredibly well-appointed car, boasting clean lines and a polished appearance that sets it apart from other executive vehicles. Despite its palace-like size, it is surprisingly nimble, capable of reaching speeds of 130mph and accelerating from 0 to 60mph in just over five seconds. However, this is not a car that demands to be driven quickly; it is equally enjoyable to elegantly cruise through the miles.

What sets the Velar apart is its versatility. It offers the best of both worlds, functioning as a pin-sharp hot-hatch and a luxurious people carrier. This Savile Row version of the Range Rover lineup fills a niche between the more affordable Evoque and the mid-range Sport, providing a mid-sized SUV with added space and luxury.

Despite its less rugged appearance, the Velar is still a proper 4x4. It may not be suitable for off-road adventures, but it is capable of handling challenging terrain if necessary. The concealed door handles and sleek design give the Velar a concept car-like appearance, making it look more like a dream than a reality.

In terms of practicality, the Velar offers a mixed bag of features. The boot space is impressive, with 632 litres available with the rear seats raised and expanding to 1,731 litres when the seats are folded flat. The square shape of the boot makes it highly usable and convenient for carrying various items.

Driving the Velar is a delightful experience. Despite its 2.0 litre engine, it feels much larger and more powerful. The eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox shifts seamlessly, and manual control of gear shifting is possible with the steering wheel-mounted paddles.

The Velar is available at a starting price of £54,045. The base-spec vehicle comes with the four-cylinder Ingenium diesel engine and includes features like Terrain Response, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, cruise control, autonomous braking, keyless entry, and the Touch Pro Duo infotainment system. The mid-range SE cars offer even more luxury, with larger alloy wheels, a 360-degree parking camera, a full 12.3-inch screen, and powered and heated leather seats.

Recently, Land Rover announced an update to the Velar, introducing a larger 19.2kWh battery that allows for up to 40 miles of electric-only travel. This update places the Velar in a lower company car tax bracket than before, making it an even more attractive option.

Overall, the Range Rover Velar is a remarkable vehicle that combines luxury, practicality, and performance. With its sleek design, powerful engine, and range of features, it is a true standout in the SUV segment.

Range Rover Velar Ingenium

Price: £75,400

Engine: 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine generating 404bhp and torque of 640Nm

Performance: Top speed of 130mph and 0 to 60mph in 5.1 seconds

Economy: 112.3mpg as a weighted average, with the ability to travel 29 miles under electric power

FutureCar Staff