Range Rover Velar reigns supreme

By all accounts, the Queen had a strong affection for her Range Rover. It was reported that she often drove her 2004 model around the grounds of Windsor, opting to take the wheel herself rather than relying on chauffeurs or police escorts.

This particular royal Range Rover was recently put up for auction with an estimated price range of £50,000 to £60,000. While this may seem steep compared to a non-royal version, it is still considered good value. The vehicle has 110,000 miles on it, indicating that it still has plenty of life left. Additionally, it features a 4.4 litre V8 BMW engine and comes with extras such as a dog guard to keep the corgis at bay.

The auction for the Range Rover took place last Saturday, and although I am unable to provide the final selling price, I am confident that the buyer obtained a memorable bargain.

Now, let's take a look at an even more upscale version of the Range Rover: the Velar. Priced at £75,400, this vehicle certainly commands a significant sum.

However, considering the exorbitant prices of many unremarkable cars these days, I would argue that the Velar represents a comparative steal. In fact, it could very well be the best car on the road.

The Range Rover has long been favored by captains of industry, footballers, showbusiness stars, and lottery winners. It manages to strike a balance between practicality and status, avoiding any sense of tackiness.

While some £75,000 cars may attract glares, the Velar is not one of them.

I understand that you could purchase a three-bedroom house in some less desirable parts of our county for the same amount of money. However, the Velar is undeniably a stunning vehicle that has come a long way since Her late Majesty received her own Range Rover 19 years ago.

When it comes to design and features, the Velar is truly exceptional. It boasts clean lines and a polished appearance that sets it apart from other executive cars. Despite its palace-like size, the Velar is remarkably nimble, capable of reaching speeds of 130mph and accelerating from 0 to 60mph in just over five seconds.

That being said, the Velar is not a car that demands to be driven quickly. Sometimes, simply knowing that you could leave a Porsche in your wake is enough, without actually having to do so. Instead, the Velar allows you to elegantly glide through the miles with grace.

So, what exactly do you get for your money? Well, the Velar offers the best of both worlds - it functions as both a pin sharp hot-hatch and a luxurious people carrier.

The Velar is considered the smart Savile Row version of the Range Rover family. It was introduced as a new model in 2017, filling a niche between the more affordable Evoque and the mid-range Sport. This mid-sized SUV provides additional space and luxury for those who desire it.

While the Velar may appear less rugged compared to other 4x4 vehicles, it is still a proper off-roader. The concealed door handles create a sleekness rarely seen in SUVs, giving the Velar a concept car-like appearance.

When it comes to practicality, the Velar offers a mixed bag of features. The boot space is impressive, with 632 litres available with the rear seats raised and 1,731 litres with them folded flat. It is a large and square-shaped load area, making it highly usable.

Driving the Velar is an exquisite experience. Despite featuring a 2.0 litre engine, it feels much larger. The eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox shifts seamlessly, and you have the option to manually control gear changes using the steering wheel-mounted paddles.

The base price for the Velar starts at £54,045. This includes a base-spec vehicle equipped with a four-cylinder Ingenium diesel engine. Standard features include Terrain Response, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, cruise control, autonomous braking, keyless entry, and the Touch Pro Duo infotainment system. The base trim is only available with the four-cylinder engine.

Mid-range SE cars offer larger 20-inch alloy wheels, a 360-degree parking camera, a 12.3-inch screen replacing the traditional dials, and powered and heated leather seats for the front two occupants.

The middle range cars provide excellent value for money, as they come with a good amount of standard equipment and enough luxury features to satisfy even the most discerning driver.

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

The Range Rover Velar Ingenium is priced at £75,400 and features a 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine generating 404bhp and torque of 640Nm. It has a top speed of 130mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 5.1 seconds. The vehicle offers an impressive fuel economy of 112.3mpg as a weighted average, thanks to its ability to travel 29 miles under electric power.