Latest news with #PiviPro
IOL News
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Driving impressions: the stylish Range Rover Velar delivers impressive hybrid performance
The Range Rover Velar recently received some interior upgrades. Image: Supplied I've always maintained that Range Rover makes some of the most desirable and stylish SUVs in the world and despite having been around for a while now, the Velar is still very much a head-turner. It recently received some interior upgrades, and we had a drive with the plug-in hybrid P400e Dynamic SE version. Yes, another new energy vehicle from the same stable as Jaguar, which has forsaken the internal combustion engine (ICE) completely. If you prefer something more 'normal', there are diesel options in the range as well. Upgrades The upgrade sees a larger 11.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system and an update to the company's Pivi Pro system. The system is certainly one of the best in the industry. It's easy to use with crisp graphics and almost instant reaction to commands, but on the flip side, as part of the upgrade, most of the car controls have moved to the screen, freeing up space for a charge pad. So, apart from the hazard lights, everything else is adjusted on the screen. That means any changes to the temperature with different zones and fan speeds, volume or anything else for that matter, is done there, which, when you're driving, is distracting and even dangerous. Jaguar Land Rover aren't the only manufacturer guilty of this but fortunately sanity has prevailed with global customer feedback and EU legislation forcing changes from next year. The Velar espouses Range Rover's premium and beautifully crafted interiors. Soft-touch surfaces and stitched leather abound, the seats are just so and combined with the driving position, it's a comfortable place to while away the time, whether in traffic or on a road trip. Surprisingly for a rather large SUV, rear seating space isn't as big as it seems, and with the driver's seat set for my frame, I found it to be slightly cramped. Perhaps they could have made the 673-litre boot a little smaller to accommodate more legroom. The Velar plug-in hybrid engine switches off while coasting, allowing the brakes to harvest energy to the battery. Image: Supplied What is a plug-in hybrid? If you're still not sure what a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is, it uses a conventional petrol or diesel ICE combined with an electric motor and a hybrid battery that is topped up by kinetic energy, like the brakes and can be fully charged at home or a charging station. In this version of the Range Rover Velar it gets a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor that combine to produce 297kW and 640Nm. It can be charged quickly at a 50kW DC station or left overnight at home for a slower charge. Using only the 15.4kW of usable battery, the Velar should give you a range of about 60-65 kilometres on a full charge. I found it would discharge quickly using only EV Mode, which isn't surprising considering its kerb weight of just over 2.2 tons, so I stuck mostly to hybrid mode. Consumption Range Rover quotes 2.2l/100km which at low speeds like peak hour traffic, shopping malls or in estates is possible. I managed 2.4l/100km driving to my partner's house through the Pretoria CBD and afternoon highway traffic. At higher speeds the engine seamlessly kicks in and when coasting will switch off just as quietly while the brakes harvest energy to the battery. However, when the battery is depleted, the engine hauls along deadweight and in Save Mode figures will rise dramatically close to 10l/100km. The Range Rover Velar has been upgraded with a larger 11.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system and an update to the company's Pivi Pro system. Image: Supplied Driving If you drive it hard, the battery will also deplete rapidly, but you will be able to get to 100km/h from a standing start in 5.4 seconds. But the Velar isn't intended to rip up the tar, rather it's a refined, almost silent drive cocooned in luxury, like a Range Rover should. Well, except the SVR versions. It's well-planted when the throttle is floored but it does feel like the engine isn't that fond of high revving with some protesting noise filtering through to the cabin. As a luxury SUV it's not the most engaging drive but it's easy to maneuver with light steering providing decent feedback and will take on the twisties with minimal body roll. The eight-speed automatic transmission is as smooth as you could want once you become accustomed to the swap between electric and ICE. There are paddles fixed to the steering wheel which I used because they're there, but the driving dynamics and shift patterns are good enough that it hardly warrants them. The Range Rover Velar contours are smooth including the door handles. Image: Supplied The ride quality is as you would expect, very comfortable thanks to the standard adaptive suspension, although with the 21-inch alloys, road imperfections tended to be slightly jarring. In keeping with the Land Rover ethos, the Velar has a full range of off-road goodies, albeit in softroader spec, so there's no transfer case or low range. Considering the profile of a buyer I doubt very much they're going to be tackling tough 4x4 trails over the weekend, but it's always reassuring to let the company's Terrain Response do its thing when things get a bit tough. Safety On the safety front, you're well taken care of with an array of features including six airbags, tyre-pressure monitors, electronic stability and hill descent control, trailer stability assist, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist. Summary The Range Rover Velar has been with us for a while now, but it's still one of the best-looking SUVs on the road. Granted, it's expensive at R2 098 300 before options, but if you like the brand and are eco-minded, it's a good proposition, although I believe the diesel options offer better value for money.
Zawya
19-02-2025
- Lifestyle
- Zawya
Range Rover launches its first eight-piece lifestyle capsule, The London Collection
The limited-edition lifestyle collection includes lightweight jackets, 100 per cent silk twill scarves and wool-cashmere mix blankets which draw inspiration from a mid-century design colour palette Each piece is exquisitely crafted using the finest materials and a mix of innovative techniques by a highly skilled team of artisans in the UK and Italy A distinctive abstract print and recurring contemporary motif features at the centre of the collection, designed to replicate some of the design language and elegant silhouette of Range Rover, with its juxtaposition of modernist lines and forms Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Range Rover combines its signature modernist design ethos and iconic British heritage to launch its first eight-piece lifestyle capsule. The limited-edition, collection seamlessly blends classic, and versatile pieces with bold colours to debut its own unique print design inspired by Range Rover's design language. Designed in-house under the creative vision of Chief Creative Officer, Professor Gerry McGovern OBE, the collection incorporates design cues from Range Rover's refined and reductive modernist approach. This includes a focus on classic lines, placement quilting and luxurious materials, with intricate details such as the bespoke zip fastenings on the men's and women's reversible jackets, which are a nod to Range Rover's design heritage, inspired by the traditional rotary dials that were once a prevalent feature inside Range Rover cabins, and which have now evolved in line with modern technologies to the digital Pivi Pro infotainment touchscreens seen today; as well as its exclusive Sunset Gold exterior paint finish. A distinctive abstract print and recurring contemporary Bodyside motif features at the centre of the collection, a subtle nod to an instantly recognisable element of Range Rover's design language and elegant silhouette. Combining an expressive limited-edition colour palette inspired by modernist art, the unique graphic, which was curated in-house by the Range Rover design team, is repeated on the 100 per cent silk twill scarves and meticulously quilted into each panel of the reversible jackets. Kimberley Panton, Apparel Designer said: 'We have curated a contemporary, new luxury lifestyle capsule for discerning individuals who appreciate Range Rover's vision of modern luxury. The main influences for the collection came from an appreciation for British mid-century design. It was important to us to celebrate the interplay of colour and to reflect the eclecticness of London living, while harmoniously juxtaposing modernist lines and forms to create pieces that evoke modern grace, vibrancy and sophistication. Under the direction of Chief Creative Officer Gerry McGovern, it marks a Range Rover first to create modern luxury pieces in the contemporary lifestyle wear space that are the embodiment of bold, progressive design, and using our own, unique graphic prints'. THE RANGE ROVER LONDON COLLECTION The Range Rover London Collection is made from the finest materials, hand-crafted in the UK and Italy with a provenance of exquisite artisanship and craftmanship. The men's and women's reversible jacket designs – Knightsbridge Promenade and Soho Chic, are individually hand cut, each panel meticulously placement quilted by an expert team of makers in Italy and the UK, with a bespoke zip pull design that features an inner ring chamfered edge created in Sunset Gold inspired by one of Range Rover's renowned paint finishes. Knightsbridge Promenade reversible design comes in brown with a placement quilted pink side, and the Soho Chic reversible design comes with a placement quilted side and to the other, a bold graphic print in raspberry and blush. The two modern 100 per cent silk scarf designs highlight a story of craftsmanship that spans centuries old expertise in the UK and Europe. About Town is printed by an expert team of makers in Lake Como, Italy, while Chelsea Blossom is printed and made at one of the UK's last surviving mills in Macclesfield. Each of the scarves is produced in low volumes with an acute focus on hand-finishing techniques including a beautiful hand rolled edge. Their high-graphic prints are a bold celebration of colour and their elegant draping speaks to the pure refinement of Range Rover. Woven on jacquard looms, the luxury virgin wool cashmere mix blankets* are crafted in Italy by one of the world's foremost purveyors of luxury textiles and custom-dyed in two colour palettes – London Nightfall and Cream Tea. They also feature the distinctive Bodyside Motif that is visible across the collection and are hand-finished with a blanket stitch edge. The Range Rover lifestyle collection is completed with an iconic Range Rover aluminum sculpture, designed in two colour ways, an exclusive Sunset Gold colour and Tourmaline Brown created from a single piece of aluminum. Professor Gerry McGovern OBE, Chief Creative Officer, said: 'The first Range Rover collection showcases our brand expression and ethos in a new creative medium. Imbued in the same breathtaking modernity, these everlasting and sophisticated pieces are designed in exquisite materials and using timeless craftmanship. We are extending the desirability of the Range Rover brand beyond our current portfolio of products as we know our discerning customers are looking for more connections to the luxury brands that truly inspire them and embody their lifestyles.' Martin Limpert, Managing Director for Range Rover, said: 'Our first luxury lifestyle collection embodies Range Rover's core DNA, and is the epitome of modern elegance, self-expression and vibrancy. These first limited-edition pieces are designed to enrich our client's lives, evoking confidence and individuality.' The Range Rover London Collection will be available to purchase hereand for clients to sample the quality and craftmanship of each piece at select Range Rover Houses around the world. Range Rover will continue to expand its product offering for clients globally, including previews at desirable locations and with plans for future lifestyle collections later this year. -Ends- 1*Blanket throws (90% wool and 10% cashmere). 2*Sunset gold has a split finish of PVD and satin.
