New Range Rover Velar combines old looks with new strengths

The 2021 Range Rover Velar has arrived in Europe with almost zero visual novelty, but substantial changes in equipment and tech.

The crossover SUV now ships with a hybrid system composed of a two-liter, four-cylinder engine and an electric motor. The system produces 404 hp (303 kW) and 640 Nm (472 lb-ft) of torque, letting the off-roader hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.4 seconds. Its 17.1-kWh battery grants it up to 53 kilometers (33 miles) of all-electric range, and gasoline consumption in WLTP mixed-cycle terms amounts to mere 2.2 liters per 100 km (UK: 122 MPG, USA: 107 MPG).

The entry-level spec is also new, packing an Ingenium 2.0 turbo diesel engine assisted by a starter-generator for 204 hp (152 kW) and 430 Nm (317 lb-ft). The old engine available in 180hp and 240hp variants is no longer in the lineup.

There are also two new three-liter, six-cylinder mild-hybrids. The diesel one packs 300 hp (224 kW) alongside 650 Nm (480 lb-ft), sprinting 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. The gasoline one can produce either 340 hp (254 kW) and 480 Nm (356 lb-ft) or 400 hp (298 kW) and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft). The latter can hit 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds.

All versions use the same eight-speed A/T and all-wheel drive. Six-cylinder trims additionally benefit from air-ride suspension. New 21-inch wheels are available, as well as a number of interior options.

The cabin houses a new steering wheel and gear selector. The Pivi Pro multimedia system boasts an 11.4-inch display and supports OTA updates, as well as the simultaneous connection of two Bluetooth devices. Second-gen Activity Key bracelet is available at a premium, air filtering is more efficient than before, and Active Road Noise Cancellation drops the noise level by a further 4 dB.

Finally, a new Limited Edition is coming up based on the R-Dynamic SE trim. The cars can be painted Santorini Black, Eiger Grey, Hakuba Silver or Lantau Bronze (previously unavailable), but the roof and the wheels always stay black in this high-end spec.