2018 Range Rover Velar to arrive with $70K base price

The freshly minted Range Rover Velar will arrive in Australia in October to bridge the gap between the Evoque and Range Rover Sport, with prices starting from $70,950.

Land Rover Australia is yet to announce full specifications and costs. However, prices will range from the entry-level $70,950 up to $136,050, with a special “First Edition” model available for $168,050.

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The list of variants will be similar to other Range Rover models with Velar and Velar R-Dynamic in standard, S, SE and HSE specifications, along with “Black” and “Luxury” exterior packs that provide a more distinguished appearance.

The First Edition will only be available for the first model year with a wealth of extra features over the range-topping HSE R-Dynamic. That includes full extended leather interior trim to complement the perforated Windsor leather seats, a 1600-watt Meridian Signature audio System, LED headlights and 22-inch split-spoke wheels with a diamond-turned finish.

A 221kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine, available from December, will complete the Velar’s six-powertrain range that includes a 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium diesel generating either 132kW/500Nm or 177kW/500Nm, and a brutish 221kW/700Nm 3.0-litre V6 diesel. A supercharged 3.0-litre petrol V6, meanwhile, will produce 280kW/450Nm.

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All engines sit in front of an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission that can be controlled using paddle shifters.

Inside, the Velar is designed to provide sanctuary with the typical Range Rover detail and refinement. Front seats will have up to 20-way power adjustment, and heating, cooling and massage functions, while the 40:20:40 split rear seats will have heating and power-adjusted recline options. Optional four-zone climate control and a cabin air ionisation system will add to all-round comfort.

The Velar will introduce Land Rover’s state-of-the-art Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, featuring two high-definition 10-inch touchscreens. The system includes clever functions such as a Commute Mode that learns your daily drive so that, using both historical and real-time traffic information, it can suggest alternative routes and help you to reach your destination on time. If you’re running late it can send your location and estimated arrival time to chosen contacts via email or text message.

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While the ‘avant garde’ Velar is designed with glamour, modernity and elegance in mind, it will still have the all-terrain capabilities we’ve come to expect from the brand. It gains all-wheel drive with Intelligent Driveline Dynamics, an active locking rear differential, and state-of-the-art traction-control technology.

Ground clearance is 213mm with standard coil springs and up to 251mm with the optional air suspension that standard in all six-cylinder models – wading depths re 600mm and 650mm respectively.

All variants will have Adaptive Dynamics on-the-fly suspension damping technology regardless of suspension type.

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It will happily tow a boat, too, with a 2500kg towing capacity. The velar will come with an Advanced Tow Assist function that makes you look good at the ramp by automatically steering the trailer while reversing.

The Velar’s 558-litre boot space is comparable with the Nissan X-Trail.

Advanced driver assistance technology will include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control with queue assist – it will automatically stop and move the car forward in heavy traffic at speeds below 30km/h.

The Velar shares its aluminium iQ platform with the Jaguar F-Pace and Range Rover Sport, but has a smoother, sleeker design that makes it the most aerodynamic car Land Rover has produced to date.

2017 Range Rover Velar pricing*

Velar D180 - $71,550
Velar D180 R-Dynamic - $77,550
Velar D180 S - $82,650
Velar D180 R-Dynamic S - $88,650
Velar D180 SE - $91,550
Velar D180 R-Dynamic SE - $97,550
Velar D180 HSE - $107,850
Velar D180 R-Dynamic HSE - $113,850

Velar D240 - $80,950
Velar D240 R-Dynamic - $86,950
Velar D240 S - $92,050
Velar D240 R-Dynamic S - $98,050
Velar D240 SE - $100,950
Velar D240 R-Dynamic SE - $106,950
Velar D240 HSE - $117,250
Velar D240 R-Dynamic HSE - $123,250

Velar D300 - $92,850
Velar D300 R-Dynamic - $98,850
Velar D300 S - $103,950
Velar D300 R-Dynamic S - $109,950
Velar D300 SE - $112,850
Velar D300 R-Dynamic SE - $118,850
Velar D300 HSE - $129,150
Velar D300 R-Dynamic HSE - $135,150
Velar D300 First Edition - $168,250

Velar P250 - $70,950
Velar P250 R-Dynamic - $76,950
Velar P250 S - $82,050
Velar P250 R-Dynamic S - $88,050
Velar P250 SE - $90,950
Velar P250 R-Dynamic SE - $96,950
Velar P250 HSE - $107,250
Velar P250 R-Dynamic HSE - $113,250

Velar P380 - $93,750
Velar P380 R-Dynamic - $99,750
Velar P380 S - $104,850
Velar P380 R-Dynamic S - $110,850
Velar P380 SE - $113,750
Velar P380 R-Dynamic SE - $119,750
Velar P380 HSE - $130,050
Velar P380 R-Dynamic HSE - $136,050
Velar P380 First Edition - $169,150