Range Rover Velar - 2018
The Range Rover Velar - what is it?
Despite Range Rover having (apparently) used this name in the past - I confess that I didn't know exactly what a Velar is (or would be) seeing as it did not directly replace any existing Land Rover product line.
Some further investigation showed that it shared its platform with the Jaguar F-Pace - a clever idea, but still not particularly helpful.
Even the description of the market segment - 'Compact Premium SUV' - still doesn't accurately cover it - this is not a small car.
So, expanding down to the details. The Velar uses V6 and V8 engines, mounted longitudinally, and driving all four wheels. The body is of monocoque construction (unibody) - as are nearly all Land Rover products today - and built from aluminium - as are the bigger Range Rover / Range Rover Sport / Discovery Sport.
What seems to be the case is a lot of cars that look like they are about the same size, and marketed at mostly the same customer. All I can say is that the Velar is lower and sportier - less practical, but rides on a longer wheelbase (than the Discovery) for more of a performance-biased driving experience.
All well and good, but isn't that what a Range Rover Sport is supposed to be?
I think I am still confused.
Range Rover Velar - 2018
The Range Rover Velar - what is it?
Despite Range Rover having (apparently) used this name in the past - I confess that I didn't know exactly what a Velar is (or would be) seeing as it did not directly replace any existing Land Rover product line.
Some further investigation showed that it shared its platform with the Jaguar F-Pace - a clever idea, but still not particularly helpful.
Even the description of the market segment - 'Compact Premium SUV' - still doesn't accurately cover it - this is not a small car.
So, expanding down to the details. The Velar uses V6 and V8 engines, mounted longitudinally, and driving all four wheels. The body is of monocoque construction (unibody) - as are nearly all Land Rover products today - and built from aluminium - as are the bigger Range Rover / Range Rover Sport / Discovery Sport.
What seems to be the case is a lot of cars that look like they are about the same size, and marketed at mostly the same customer. All I can say is that the Velar is lower and sportier - less practical, but rides on a longer wheelbase (than the Discovery) for more of a performance-biased driving experience.
All well and good, but isn't that what a Range Rover Sport is supposed to be?
I think I am still confused.