Range Rover Velar Has been Updated And We Test Drive It

January 16, 2024

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Range Rover Velar 2024 Model Selling From RM638,000

A Revised Range Rover Velar has just been launched nationwide and continues to bring glamour, luxury, modernity and elegance to the Range Rover family.

Designed from the start and engineered based on ‘reductionism’ and elegant simplicity, this luxurious SUV might not be as large and imposing as its big brother however it has a unique character incomparable with all other petrol powered SUVs in its class and price segment.

The British made Indian owned SUV manufacturer will offer one engine option in three variants in Malaysia which is a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an output of 250PS and 365Nm of torque. This tried and tested petrol engine in the Velar is the company’s Ingenium petrol powerplant, which replaced the previous 240hp, 2.0-litre petrol motor in the manufacturer’s engine line-up.

Priced from RM638,800, you can choose from the P250 Dynamic SE (M or H Specs) and P250 Dynamic HSE (L Specs).

So, Land Rover is the parent company and produces the Range Rover luxury vehicles and the product planners call the Velar its most road-focused model, it still comes with the brand’s range of off-road technology.

So what are the new features to note.

Radiator Grille

There’s a new radiator grille with rectangular openings, new super-slim Pixel LED headlights with jewel-like signature daytime running lights on the L Spec. Around back, the LED tail lamps now feature a 3 dimensional look. The bumpers have been revised as well.

Pivi Pro Infotainment System

11.4″ curved glass touchscreen running the latest generation Pivi Pro infotainment system. It features a new system interface and voice AI for an intuitive user interface and it’s capable of wireless software updates. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are featured. You also get a wireless charging pad too.

New Wheel Designs

You now have 22″ Style 1075 is a ten-spoke gloss dark grey with a contrast diamond turned finish on the H Spec and L Spec while the M spec gets a 20″ Style 1089 10-spoke gloss black.

Active Road Noise Cancellation

This works with the Meridian speakers to make the cabin noticeably quieter and more relaxing. The Technology Pack adds a Heads-Up Display, a 3D Surround Camera and Park Assist. There’s also Wade Sensing that helps you drive through water. The climate, seating and volume controls are now always visible and accessible on the side of the screen via anew sidebar interface. The Velar L Spec also comes with Cabin Air Purification Plus, ambient lighting for the cabin with 30 presets. The H Spec and L Spec models also come with Adaptive Dynamics and electronic air suspension

So, some interesting features to note.

Flush Deployable Door Handles

The flush deployable door handles are unique to the Velar in the Land Rover family. A futuristic feature, the door handles deploy when the vehicle is unlocked and the handles retract once the vehicle is locked. The door handles contribute to the low drag coefficient of only 0.32, making it the most aerodynamically-efficient Land Rover ever produced.

Matrix LED Headlights

The most slender ever to appear on a Land Rover vehicle, these boldly designed Matrix LED headlights produce a quality of light close to daylight, giving excellent illumination and reducing eye fatigue.

Aluminium-Intensive Monocoque

The Velar uses Jaguar Land Rover’s Lightweight Aluminium Architecture. Aluminium alloys account for more than 81 percent of the body-in-white.

Torque On-Demand All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System

This system provides the optimum torque distribution to suit various road conditions. Depending on road conditions, it can make the transition from 100 percent rear bias to fully locked in only 165 milliseconds; transient torque delivery to the front axle can take as little as 100 milliseconds

The Drive

Well, it’s a Range Rover and immediately there is a sense of occasion when you see it in front of you. The design may be 7 years old already, but it does not look its age until you are reminded of its birth date.

Step inside and the simple classy dashboard impresses and there is no clutter or fancy gimmicks which come with electric cars today. This is a class act cabin.

Ignite the 2.0L engine and its quiet. The well insulated cabin ensures of this. Start the drive and you will see how easily the turbocharger spools up and delivers the 365Nm of torque.

Yes, it is not as fast as electric cars like the I-Pace but this is the petrol engine that many still want to own and drive. Its petrol powered rival from Germany and Japan have a different set of features and luxury, but a Range Rover remains in its own class.

Over our roads, it just glides along with zero road and tire noise thanks to the well engineered ‘noise cancellation system. The Meridian audio delivers as promised, crisp audio entertainment with a very easy to use touch screen system.

Remember this. If you can’t afford the big brother Range Rover, there is no shame in arriving in a Velar as it stands equally tall, but a big price difference.