Range Rover Velar Reigns Supreme

By all accounts, the Queen had a deep affection for her Range Rover. She was often seen driving 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, and it boasts a 4.4 litre V8 BMW engine, along with some additional features such as a dog guard to keep the corgis at bay.

Last Saturday, the Range Rover went under the hammer at the auction. Unfortunately, due to my deadlines, I am unable to provide the final sale price. However, I am confident that the buyer got a great deal and will be pleased with their purchase.

Now, let's shift our focus to an even more luxurious version of the Range Rover: the Velar. Priced at £75,400, it is undoubtedly a significant investment.

However, considering the exorbitant prices of many unremarkable cars in today's market, I would argue that the Velar is actually a relative bargain. In fact, it could be considered one of the best cars 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 being a highly practical vehicle and a symbol of status without being ostentatious.

While some £75,000 cars may attract judgmental glares, the Velar is an exception to this rule. It is an incredibly well-appointed vehicle with clean lines and a polished appearance that sets it apart from other executive cars. Despite its size, it is remarkably nimble, capable of reaching speeds of 130mph and accelerating from 0 to 60mph in just over five seconds.

However, the Velar is not a car that demands to be driven at high speeds. Simply knowing that it has the power to leave a Porsche in its wake is enough of a thrill.

In addition to its performance, the Velar offers versatility. It can function as both a sporty hot-hatch and a luxurious people carrier, providing the best of both worlds.

The Velar is a relatively new addition to the Range Rover lineup, having been launched in 2017. It fills a niche between the more affordable Evoque and the mid-range Sport, offering a mid-sized SUV with extra space and luxury.

Despite its sleek appearance, the Velar is still a capable 4x4 vehicle. While it may not be suitable for extreme off-roading, it can handle rough terrain if necessary.

In terms of practicality, the Velar offers impressive boot space. With the rear seats raised, there is 632 litres of storage capacity, which expands to 1,731 litres when the seats are folded flat. The square shape of the load area makes it highly usable.

Driving the Velar is a true pleasure, even with its 2.0 litre engine. The eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox shifts seamlessly, and there is the option to manually control gear changes using the steering wheel-mounted paddles.

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

Mid-range SE cars offer even more luxury, with larger alloy wheels, a 360-degree parking camera, a full 12.3-inch screen replacing traditional dials, and powered and heated leather seats.

Overall, the Velar provides excellent value for money, offering a good amount of standard equipment and plenty of luxurious touches.

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 driving. This update places the hybrid Velar in a lower company car tax bracket.

In conclusion, the Range Rover Velar is a stunning and well-appointed vehicle that has come a long way since the Queen received her Range Rover 19 years ago. With its combination of luxury, performance, and practicality, it is truly a standout car in its class.

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.