Latest news with #Velar
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Range Rover stuns industry with bold EV redesign revealed in sneak-peek images: 'The upgrades are designed to help [it] stand apart'
As more car manufacturers dip their toes in the electric vehicle market, an upcoming electric Range Rover is supposed to hit the market later this year, with incredible upgrades and advancements, as revealed in photos and a video of pre-release vehicles. An article by Electrek revealed that the company will be releasing its first electric SUV in 2025, as a new take on its Velar SUV with new aesthetics and an 800V platform, as opposed to the more commonly used 400V platform. With the higher voltage platform, you can expect an SUV with an 800V platform to have more power and faster charging, according to DriveElectric. Furthermore, the upgrades, per the spy shots of the new EV, suggest it will be a bigger, more SUV-like vehicle. "The upgrades are designed to help the Velar stand apart from the Sport and Evoque models. They could also help it compete with others in the segment, like the Porsche Macan Electric," Electrek reported. The turn toward electric is clear, and the continued release of new vehicles is evidence. Other carmakers, like Chevrolet with the Blazer EV, and Mercedes-Benz with its Vision V concept EV, are staking their claim on the EV market. With continuous upgrades and, in turn, price drops on used EVs, the time is now to switch to an electric vehicle. While gas-powered cars use dirty fuels, which require continuous maintenance, EVs have no tailpipe pollution and will save you tons of money from not having routine gas or oil changes and higher maintenance costs. While pushback on the environmental benefits of EVs includes the need for mining materials for their batteries' production, sources say we are digging about 16.5 billion tons of dirty energy sources out of the Earth every year, and would only need to dig up roughly 30 million tons of minerals annually for the clean energy transition. Plus, unlike dirty fuels, the minerals needed for lithium batteries in EVs are reusable. Solar panels are a phenomenal implementation to further maximize your savings and earth-consciousness while driving your EV. EnergySage is an easy, free resource to help you compare quotes and estimates on solar installation that can save you money on EV charging. Upon the announcement of the first fully electric Range Rover SUV, 57,000 people were already on the waitlist as of January 2025, according to Electrek. If you were going to purchase an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you? Cost Battery range Power and speed The way it looks Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Living With 2025 The Range Rover Velar—How good is it really?
2025 Range Rover Velar Jaguar Land Rover UK Before babbling about Range Rover Velar life, here's a fact regarding its name. Velar comes from the Latin word 'velere', which means to veil or cover. Land Rover used this name in the sixties to hide the identity of 26 concept vehicles before applying it to a production car in 2017—the Range Rover Velar. I get stoked whenever Land Rover sends a car to Scotland. It doesn't happen often, odd considering Scotland has so many muddy fields just waiting to be destroyed, but a Varesine Blue Range Rover Velar D300 was soon sitting on my driveway. And, God, it looked good. It might just be a five-door SUV, but look at its stance, its detailing and its lines. I could've sat in a garden chair and admired it for hours, but that would've likely concerned my neighbours, who already question why I have a different car each week. Inside, it looked even better. My loaner had Shadow Grey Ash veneer and black leather seats. Everything was soft to touch except the scratchy instrument binnacle. Everything's minimalistic, and that's a catch-22. You see, controlling in-car technology from an 11.4-inch touchscreen is a bit like removing your home's light switches and linking every room to a separate smartphone app. A daft decision that's all a bit much; I don't want to faff around with my phone to turn on the kitchen light. The same applies here. Range Rover Velar Matthew MacConnell There are few physical buttons in the Velar's cabin, and the touchscreen, although fast and crisp, can be quite confusing with all its submenus. Fortunately, Land Rover's Pivi Pro infotainment system is good and changing the cabin temperature via the voice assistant is easy. But I miss the pre-2023 Velar's rotary dials. If you veer off the road into a field trying to enable the window demist, you'll be fine; the Velar boasts a five-star EuroNCAP rating and is more than capable off-road. Land Rover fitted this press car with optional 21-inch alloys, wrapped in Michelin Latitude rubber, which meant a smooth ride, despite the alloy size. Engaging Eco hardened the ride slightly, and I found it to have little impact on efficiency. Other modes included Snow, Gravel, Grass, Sand and Mud Ruts, and these combined with the Velar's trick air suspension, mean you'll struggle to get stuck in the rough. The Dynamic SE gets an additional Dynamic setting. This makes cornering less wafty by adding heavier steering, tightening the suspension and increasing gearbox and throttle response. I used it once before switching back to Comfort. Range Rover Velar interior Matthew MacConnell Dynamic releases all 700Nm and 296 bhp, meaning 0-to-62mph takes 6.2 seconds, while 30-70mph arrives in 5.2 seconds. It's no vomit-comet, but it's the perfect engine for this car. Anything more powerful is overkill, really. My week consists of going to and from dog parks via motorways and B-roads after working hours. Therefore, I was delighted when Land Rover agreed that both furry babies, Freya the Siberian Husky and Chloe the Shepkita, could ride in the boot. The press team even offered to send up a Land Rover dog kit next time, which includes a dog ramp, a dog washer, rubber mats and a water bowl. Both dogs are fairly large, but both struggled to climb into the Velar's boot, even with the clever Access suspension lowering mode enabled. So this meant lifting them in. However, there's ample space back there, and there's a net for holding water bowls and treats. Lifting the boot floor reveals a deep cubby. The car needed a clean inside and out afterwards, and this is where I discovered a slight issue. The Velar's seats wipe easily, as do the front and rear carpets, but hoovering the boot floor was easier said than done, despite the dogs lying on a large blanket. Range Rover Velar boot Matthew MacConnell Because of the material, like many other cars, the small white hairs intertwine among the fabric, meaning I spent around 30 minutes pulling each tiny husky hair out. This might not bother you, but I didn't want the next journalist to think a yeti had been onboard. So, if you run a dog-moving business or own pooches, it's worth opting for Land Rover's rubber mats. After a week, I handed over the keys with some closing thoughts. The efficiency screen showed a 37.7 mpg average, with most runs returning around 35 mpg. Impressive figures, considering the Velar D300 weighs 2,710kg (gross). With options, the car cost a mighty £72,665 ($97,411). That's a lot, and I didn't even use all its configured options like the £440 Wi-Fi plan, £105 Terrain Response 2 system, heated rear seats or configurable steering or chassis dynamics settings. Out of the box, the Range Rover Velar D300 is well-equipped, and if you don't often climb rocks or traverse the Sahara, you won't need any fancy optional terrain tech. Therefore, a new Velar could be sat on your driveway for £66,905. Buy one and you'll never tire of turning round for one last look before walking through the front door.
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.
The Courier
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Courier
Is the Range Rover Velar the world's most stylish SUV? We took it on a Dundee to Pitlochry road trip
The Velar is the third rung down on the Range Rover ladder. It's smaller than the Range Rover Sport, which itself is smaller than the full fat Range Rover. The Velar is also less practical than cheaper Land Rover options such as the Defender and Discovery. So why would you buy one? Because it may be the most beautiful SUV ever designed. Lower slung and more swept back and streamlined than its stablemates, it is achingly stylish. Indeed, it was named 'the most beautiful car on the planet' in the 2018 World Car Awards. The Velar certainly made my battered old Audi estate look its age when it was delivered to my home in Dundee. Prices start at £55,000 for entry level models and top out at around £82,000 – although with Land Rover's lengthy options list it's easy to add thousands more to the list price. Buyers have the choice of 2.0 or 3.0 diesel engines, or four or six-cylinder petrol units. The fastest and most expensive Velar is the petrol plug-in hybrid model, which does 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds and can cover up to 39 miles on battery power (although at a more sedate pace). I spent a week with the 3.0 litre diesel in mid-spec Dynamic SE trim. My car came with a £63,200 price tag but nearly £8,000 of options nudged the price past the £70,000 mark. The best value option is the £300 sliding panoramic sunroof, which brightens up the interior no end. I took the Velar north of Pitlochry for a hike around the Faskally and Loch Tummel area. The seats are like armchairs and the (optional extra) air suspension soaked up the worst bumps and potholes Highland Perthshire's roads could throw at it. A high seating position and large swathes of glass give a commanding view of the road ahead. It's very much a car you could sit comfortably in for hours while the miles glide by. Wind and road noise are kept very well in check and I could easily chat to my infant daughter in the back seat. It doesn't handle quite as well as a Porsche Macan or BMW X6, but steering is sharp and accurate and there's plenty of grip. The PHEV version may be the quickest Velar but the 3.0 diesel is no slouch either. It'll get up to 62mph in just 6.1 seconds and it had plenty of overtaking power to make the most of the parts of the A9 that are dualled. Although it's a fairly large car, it never feels cumbersome. Driving around Dundee and tackling some of St Andrews' narrow cobbled streets the Velar felt easy to manoeuvre. Front and rear parking sensors and a rear view camera make reversing a doddle and the Velar is even available with a park-assist system that will put the car into a space for you. While the Velar is primarily road-focused, like all Land Rovers it can more than hold its own off road. As well as full time four-wheel drive there are a variety of modes to deal with everything from mud and ruts to sand, grass, gravel and snow. It can wade at a depth of up to 58cm and tow up to 2.5 tonnes. The slick and minimalist interior oozes class. Everything feels high quality and well put together. Without a button or dial in sight, the dashboard has a clean and uncluttered look. Unfortunately all that minimalism means everything is controlled through the modestly sized touchscreen. Want to change the temperature, adjust the fan speed, and turn on your heated seat? You'll probably need to pull over or ask a passenger to do it. Space in the back is another disappointment. There's plenty of headroom but despite being quite a long car rear legroom is well below average and tall people will struggle in the back. Boot space is excellent, though, and it's a nice usable rectangular shape. You can easily fit two large dogs, a full week's shopping, or a family's holiday luggage in there. Should you buy a Range Rover Velar? Not if you're looking for the last word in practicality. Other SUVs – including several from Land Rover itself – offer more space for similar or less money. Prospective purchasers should also check if they can live with all the controls being touchscreen as well. But there's no doubt it's a very impressive car that is equally capable off and on-road. And it's breathtakingly stylish. Price: £63,200 0-62mph: 6.1 seconds Top speed: 143mph Economy: 37.5mpg CO2 emissions: 197g/km
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Business Standard
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Standard
India-UK FTA to boost JLR performance, future car access: Tata Motors CFO
The India-UK free trade agreement augurs well to keep driving JLR's performance in India as it would benefit future cars and enable customers to access global cars and global prices much faster, Tata Motors Group CFO PB Balaji said on Tuesday. On the other hand, further details and clarifications are needed to fully understand the impact on JLR after the US-UK trade deal that reduced US trade tariffs on auto exports from the UK to 10 per cent from 27.5 per cent within a quota of 1 lakh vehicles, Balaji said in an earnings call. "As far as India-UK FTA is concerned, it is a great development and augurs well for the same time, we also wait when the FTA actually comes into force, but we believe this is going to benefit the future cars that are going to come, which means customers will be able to access these global cars and global prices much faster because of this FTA," he said. Therefore, Balaji said, "It augurs very well for continuing to drive JLR performance in India going forward." He further said, "The current cars that are already there in India, the Range Rover franchise, which is the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Evoque, and the Velar, these are already being manufactured in India on a CKD (completely knocked down) basis, so these won't be impacted by this FTA that is coming in." Under the India-UK FTA concluded last week, tariffs on automotive imports will come down from over 100 per cent to 10 per cent under quotas on both sides, benefiting companies such as Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). However, duty-free quota on EVs is limited only to a few thousand units. When asked about the implications on JLR's shipments to the US following President Donald Trump's tariff war, Balaji welcomed the announcement to bring down the tariff to 10 per cent on auto exports from the UK to the US saying "directionally it is on the right track". "We await the fine print in terms of timings, when does it change from when? We also need a few clarifications in terms of what is due to parts and accessories... Obviously, the situation is much better than what we were facing before, but I think we will need to wait for a few days before the final clarifications are issued in terms of notifications and the changes, whether it's applicable retrospectively or not," he said. Balaji said it could take about a month for the company to share further details and quantify the impact. "We will maintain a heightened vigil on cost and cash as we navigate that that piece, and we'll probably be able to see the implications of all those in the coming quarters, the benefits of the implication of the tariffs...," he said, adding JLR is continuing to put cost efficiency measures and working on multiple areas, including material and warranty costs to continue to drive growth in the US. On the US tariff impact on Land Rover Defender -- one of the company's best-selling models in the US -- manufactured at Nitra in Slovakia, Balaji said, "Definitely, it has been impacted by the tariffs there since it is manufactured in Europe. It is at a 25 per cent tariff rate even today, and therefore we will treat it as a full portfolio and find ways to see how we can offset the tariff increases that are there at the same time." He further said, "We remain optimistic that there will be a deal done between EU and US as well, just like what happened between UK and US, but we had to wait for that to happen. We are hopeful that that will happen sooner rather than later." At the same time, he said, "Overall, we will still need to be focused on delivering growth, focused on delivering cost initiatives so that we can manage the impact of the tariffs better." Asked if JLR would consider setting up a manufacturing unit in the US due to the tariff war, he said, "As far as setting up any factory in the US, it's too recent. We will need to see how it finally stabilises before we are able to take any call on that. Currently, we are on wait and watch mode to understand how the new agreement on tariff is going to play out.
