JLR unveils its definition of a mid-size luxury SUV, the Range Rover Velar

After a teaser, Jaguar Land Rover has finally unveiled what is its idea of a mid-size SUV, with the usual touch of luxury. The Range Rover Velar is the new mid-sizer that sits comfortably between the Evoque and the Sport and is basically Range Rover’s response to the BMW X6, the Mercedes-Benz GLE and the Porsche Macan that is targeted at younger buyers, packs in plenty of gizmos and surely looks the part at 44,830 GBP (roughly Rs 36 lakh).

With the new Velar, Land Rover went in for a minmal and simple design but paid close attention to detail. While it looks like a sleeker and a more refined version of the Sport, it indeed goes simple with design and highlights like sleeker headlamps, the wider grille along with copper details at the intakes near the fog lights (and the bonnet vents) will only draw onlookers closer. And then there are those detailed and chromed 22-inch wheels!

And once they are done gaping at the detailing on the exterior, there’s a new interior to ogle at as well.

The interior goes with symmetrical design and there is fine balance in the way everything placed. Another reason for this balance is the simplicity. Fewer buttons and knobs mean that you will be spending time looking at more displays. And they’re everywhere.

There are two 10-inch HD touch displays apart from the instruments cluster. There’s one on the dashboard and another one in the center console, hidden well and out of sight, when not in use. The display above the center console is curved and features controls for navigation, media and smartphone integration and can also be tilted if need be.

The one below that hidden around those minimal knobs are used for controlling the temperature, the Terrain Response System and other in-car settings. This one is controlled using the knobs and a few hidden capacitive buttons.

Gizmos and displays aside, the Range Rover Velar SUV comes in four engine options. First is a 4-cylinder Ingenium diesel engine. It will be available in 180PS option and a 240PS option. There’s a 250PS 4-cylinder petrol option with a 300PS petrol being added later this year. There’s also a 300PS (700Nm)  3.0-litre V6 diesel and a 380PS 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol. The V6 petrol is capable of catapulting this beauty from 0-100kmph in 5.3 seconds.

The JLR Range Rover Velar will go on sale between June and August this year and will first be showcased at upcoming 2017 Geneva Motor Show.