Range Rover unleashes 542bhp Velar 05 | 02 | 2019

    RANGE ROVER HAS launched a new 5.0-litre supercharged V8 flagship model to its Velar mid-sized SUV range. The Velar SVAutobiography edition is on-sale now at Scottish dealerships, priced from £86,120. (Related: All-new Range Rover Evoque)

    Delivering 542bhp and 680Nm of torque to all four wheels via an eight-speed auto box, the new model is capable of 0-62mph in 4.3secs,  and will carry on to a top speed of 170mph. The engines has been lifted from the Jaguar F-Type SVR.

    With the increase in power, engineers have beefed up the Velar’s chassis and drivetrain, introducing uprated suspension, bigger brakes, a stronger transfer box. The four-wheel-drive control system has also been reworked to ensure 100% of the engine’s power can be sent to the rear when required. (Related: JLR confirms 4500 job losses)

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    Externally, exclusive badging, an active sports exhaust with quad tips, fresh side mouldings, an updated rear bumper and a new grille help give the newcomer its own identity. The front bumper has also been redesigned to include larger intakes which feed the supercharger and cool the new Velar’s bigger brakes.

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    Even the Range Rover lettering on the bonnet and tailgate has been enhanced, with a knurled finish on the metal element of the two-piece letters adding a fresh degree of sophistication to the exterior.

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    The Velar SVAutobiography gets its own unique metallic blue paint finish, Satin Byron Blue, but is also available in five other exterior colours: Firenze Red, Santorini Black, Corris Grey, Fuji White and Indus Silver. Buyers can choose from two sets of alloys, with lightweight 21in and diamond-cut 22in variants available. The black roof is standard.

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    Inside the cabin there’s a sports steering wheel and unique knurled dials for the infotainment system, heater controls and gear selector, plus quilted leather upholstery. The option list includes heated and cooled front seats that offer a 20-way electrically- adjustable massage function.

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    JLR says the Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition “sounds like no other SUV”, but stresses the most driver-focused model in the range is as practical as ever. The generous boot capacity is unaffected, while the flexible 40:20:40-split rear seats allow customers to vary the loadspace depending on their requirements. The 82-litre fuel tank also promises a genuine range in excess of 300 miles.

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    “The Range Rover Velar strikes a perfect balance between go-anywhere practicality, dynamic performance and relaxing comfort,” Rawdon Glover, managing director, Jaguar Land Rover UK, said. “By enhancing the luxury and dynamic characteristics even further we have created the pinnacle of the Velar range.”

    Related: Roadtest — Range Rover Evoque

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    Jim McGill

     

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