Think the vast Range Rover Velar line-up already offers maximum choice? Well, Land Rover doesn’t. So, as part of an update that includes fresh safety technology, the Whitley-based automaker has added two new engine derivatives to the already extensive range.
Yes, Land Rover has announced a pair of fresh six-cylinder engine options for the Velar. The first is the new D275, a 3,0-litre V6 diesel model worth 202 kW and 625 N.m, while the second is the new P340, a 3,0-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine producing 250 kW and 450 N.m. The brand has yet to reveal performance figures for these new mills.
The automaker furthermore says it will offers customers “a greater breadth of choice” when specifying their vehicles, including by offering the “Kvadrat premium textile seat” option more widely across the range.
Joining the Velar’s suite of driver assistance systems, a new adaptive cruise control with steering assist system operates between zero and 180 km/h and uses the existing functionality along with a lane-centring feature to steer the vehicle within its lane as it maintains a set distance from the vehicle in front. A “stop and go” function has also been added.
In addition, a new radar-based high-speed emergency braking system, operational between 10 and 160 km/h, is able to detect an imminent collision, alert the driver and apply the brakes if the driver fails to respond.
Land Rover furthermore says a reversing camera, parking sensors (fore and aft), a driver condition monitor, emergency braking and lane keep assist will be fitted as standard on all models.
The adaptive dynamics system will become optionally available on more models in the range, continuously varying the damping forces at all four corners of vehicle. The Velar is offered with coil springs as standard with four-corner air suspension now an option on all models with V6 engines, as well as on the 177 kW diesel and 221 kW petrol four-cylinder derivatives.
Land Rover has also fitted certain petrol models (the 280 kW 3,0-litre V6; new 250 kW 3,0-litre V6; 221 kW 2,0-litre; and 184 kW 2,0-litre) with a larger 82-litre fuel, up from standard 63-litre tank. All petrol engines are now also equipped with particulate filters.
Land Rover South Africa has yet to announce when these updates are expected to be rolled out to the local market.
