Land Rover has confirmed that a fourth model is set to join the Range Rover family, revealing the first official images of the newcomer and confirming its name in the process. Yes, it will be called the Range Rover Velar.
Set to make its official debut at March 1, the new SUV will be positioned between the Evoque and the Sport (see sketch below), and go up against the likes of the Porsche Macan.
Although official details are still scarce, the British automaker claims that the newcomer will be defined by its “elegant simplicity”, “visually reductive approach” and “pioneering consumer technology”.
“We call the Velar the avant garde Range Rover. It brings a new dimension of glamour, modernity and elegance to the brand. The Range Rover Velar changes everything,” said Land Rover chief design officer, Gerry McGovern.
Range Rover says the Velar will feature “unique sustainable materials and advanced engineering”, hinting that it will retain the all-terrain ability for which the brand has become known.
So, where does the name “Velar” come from? Well, Land Rover says it dates back to the first Range Rover prototypes of the 1960s.
“When development engineers needed to hide the true identity of the 26 pre-production Range Rovers, they chose the name ‘Velar’, derived from the Latin velare, meaning to veil or cover,” the automaker said.
Expect to learn more about the new Range Rover Velar at the start of March.
