The Range Rover Velar has a powertrain to suit every client, including a fuel-efficient P400e plug-in electric hybrid, now with a 21 percent improvement in range, for up to 64km5 of electric-only driving. It is available alongside a range of smooth Ingenium petrol and diesel engines.
All powertrains complement Range Rover Velar’s effortlessly balanced and composed driving dynamics, with a suite of advanced chassis and suspension technologies providing a confidence-inspiring drive on every terrain.
Range Rover Velar P400e Electric Hybrid
The Range Rover Velar is available with an advanced P400e plug-in electric hybrid powertrain. It provides the best of all worlds, combining a 105kW electric motor with an Ingenium petrol engine to provide effortless and hushed performance.
The balance of electric-only driving and petrol performance means the Range Rover Velar P400e is perfect for short urban trips and longer journeys. It has an expected real-world range of up to 51km4 – enough to ensure the average daily distance driven in a Range Rover Velar could be done with zero tailpipe emissions. For longer journeys, the plug-in hybrid powertrain provides a combined real-world 684km of petrol and electric range8.
Using electric power alone, it can drive for up to 64km certified, while overall CO2 emissions are from 38g/km on the WLTP cycle, with fuel consumption of up to 1.6l/100km5. The electric-only range has been increased from 53km5 thanks to a larger 19.2kWh battery, 12 percent larger than before thanks to the addition of an extra module. The additional battery module – taking the total to nine – also enables enhanced driving performance and consistency, meaning the Velar P400e is capable of utilising more of its battery and smooth electric performance more of the time. Despite the larger battery pack, dimensions are unchanged and interior space is uncompromised.
With a combined 297kW and 640Nm of torque from its 221kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine and 105kW electric motor, the Velar electric hybrid is capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds, and a top speed of 209km/h. The Velar P400e can also travel on electric power alone up to speeds of 140km/h5.
Drivers can select from three driving modes:
- EV Mode – enables the vehicle to prioritise running solely on the electric power using the energy stored in the battery, for quiet, zero-tailpipe emissions journeys.
- HYBRID Mode – intelligently blends EV and conventional driving, according to the road, journey and set destination. It makes optimum use of the battery, including automatically switching to EV mode when you enter a city centre low-emission zone. Predictive Energy Optimisation ensures a smooth and comfortable journey.
- SAVE Mode – prioritises the combustion engine as its energy source, maintaining the battery’s state of charge at a chosen level, which can then be used at a specific point in the journey – for example when entering urban areas.
Clients can conveniently charge their Range Rover Velar in three ways. The P400e is one of very few plug-in electric hybrid vehicles capable of rapid DC charging, with a 0-80 percent charge possible in as little as 30 minutes away from home using a 50kW charger3. At home, it can charge from 0-100 percent using a 7kW AC charger in 2.5 hours, while three-pin charging is also possible when required.
Clients are also able to control and monitor their home charging on a smart phone via the Remote App2 – which can be used to precondition the cabin too. Clients can effectively set charging times to take advantage of energy efficient off-peak tariffs or simply to suit their lifestyle.
In-line Ingenium petrol and diesel engines
The latest generation of the smooth and fuel efficient Ingenium petrol straight-six engines are available with 48-volt Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology for superior efficiency and power delivery.
The MHEV system uses a Belt integrated Starter Generator (BiSG) to harvest energy usually lost under deceleration, which is then stored in a 48-volt lithium-ion battery located beneath the rear loadspace. It can redeploy the stored energy to assist the engine when accelerating, while also delivering a more refined and responsive start-stop system.
In South Africa the 3.0-litre straight-six Ingenium petrol engine is available in P340 MHEV form delivering 250kW and 480Nm of torque, with acceleration from 0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds.
The lightweight straight-six Ingenium petrol engine features a number of innovations. An electric supercharger, supported by a twin-scroll turbocharger, features an exhaust manifold split into two ‘scrolls’ that each feed the turbo from three cylinders. This separates the flow and creates greater spacing between exhaust pulses for improved drivability from low engine speeds.
Continuous Variable Valve Lift (CVVL) also allows the engine to produce power and torque as efficiently as possible by varying the extent to which inlet valves are opened, for enhanced responses.
The 3.0-litre straight-six D300 diesel engine produces 221kW and 650Nm of torque to deliver powerful performance, with acceleration from 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds. Pioneering technologies include a high-pressure fuel injection system, which operates at up to 2,500 bar and is able to deliver five injections per cycle with quantities as small as 0.8 milligrams in just 120 microseconds (0.00012 seconds) for enhanced fuel efficiency and refinement5.
State-of-the-art Exhaust Gas Recirculation technology also optimises fuel efficiency and refinement while close-coupled, sequentially arranged turbos feature electric variable nozzle turbines for precise control and immediate responses. At 2,000rpm the engines can deliver 90 percent of peak torque in just over one second.
The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder D200 Ingenium diesel engine produces 146kW and 430Nm.
The Range Rover Velar engine range comprises:
Electric Hybrid
- P400e – 297kW, 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol PHEV, 640Nm of torque at 1,500-4,400rpm, eight-speed automatic, AWD
Petrol
- P340 – 250kW, 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol MHEV, 480Nm of torque at 1,500-4,500rpm, eight-speed automatic, AWD
Diesel
- D200 – 146kW, 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel, 430Nm of torque at 1,750-2,500rpm, eight-speed automatic, AWD
- D300 – 221kW, 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel, 650Nm of torque at 1,500-2,500rpm, eight-speed automatic, AWD
Optimised dynamics
Adaptive Dynamics is fitted as standard and ensures suspension stiffness is optimised for the driving conditions, improving ride comfort and handling. It does this by monitoring wheel movements 500 times per second and body movements 100 times per second, continuously varying the damping forces at all four corners of the vehicle. There’s even a specific calibration for off-road driving.
Configurable Dynamics allows drivers to the vehicle to suit their individual preferences using the Pivi Pro6 touchscreen. In Dynamic mode’s default setting, throttle response is increased, gear shifts reflect a sportier driving style, the suspension stiffens, and power-steering assistance is reduced for extra driver feedback. Configurable Dynamics allows individual parameters to be adjusted, so increased throttle response can be combined with, for example, the default suspension setting if desired.
Velar’s electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) system has been developed for exceptional driver feedback, precision and feel, ensuring greater responsiveness and a more natural feel.
The Torque Vectoring by Braking (TVBB) system, standard on all models, further enhances agility. If the system detects the onset of understeer during corner entry, it initiates light braking of the inside wheels – in particular the inside rear – to help the driver maintain the desired line through the corner. TVBB is also beneficial at lower speeds when driving on slippery surfaces.
Advanced suspension options
Trademark Range Rover ride comfort and refinement is provided by the advanced chassis and suspension.
Optional Electronic Air Suspension delivers luxurious ride comfort, with a range of additional features designed to make life easier, while also improving Range Rover Velar’s all-terrain capability thanks to a maximum ground clearance of 251mm.
Elegant Arrival automatically reduces the Velar’s body height by 40mm to aid entry and exit, while Auto Access Height lowers the maximum body height to 1,683mm7, for access to height-restricted garages and car parks. Active Speed Lowering1 increases fuel efficiency at speeds above 105km/h by lowering the vehicle to reduce aerodynamic drag.
The Electronic Air Suspension system is also self-levelling, maintaining the optimum ride height when towing or carrying heavy loads, improving occupant comfort and ensuring a composed drive. It also assists when hitching a trailer, or when loading or unloading from the boot – controls inside the luggage compartment can raise or lower the suspension by 50mm.
Capability and composure
The Range Rover Velar is equipped with a range of advanced technologies that deliver exceptional composure and agility on-road, and all-terrain performance for customary Range Rover breadth of capability.
An intelligent torque on-demand all-wheel drive (AWD) system provides the optimum torque distribution to suit the conditions, whether driving dynamically on the road or pulling away from a standstill on slippery surfaces.
This incredibly responsive system delivers exceptional performance in all conditions, changing the distribution of power and torque almost instantaneously, meaning clients experience the highest level of capability within a moment’s notice, and in a way that is imperceptible when driving.
Depending on the conditions it can go from being 100 percent rear-wheel drive to fully locked all-wheel drive for all-terrain manoeuvres in only 165 milliseconds, while shifting torque delivery to the front axle can take as little as 100 milliseconds.
This distribution between the front and rear axles is managed by Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD), a highly sophisticated control system developed in-house. IDD takes information from a number of sensors around the vehicle, and measures data such as the angle of the steering wheel and the position of the throttle pedal. Using these, IDD continuously estimates how much friction there is between the tyre and the road, and how much grip there is, to ensure enhanced composure and driver confidence at all times.
The Active Locking Rear Differential, an electronic control system available on all six-cylinder models, delivers benefits on- and off-road. It optimises the torque distribution between the rear wheels, maximising traction in situations such as acceleration and when exiting corners, as well as when traversing challenging terrain.
Terrain Response 2â is accessible through the intuitive Pivi Pro6 system and allows the driver to adjust vehicle settings to suit the driving environment, with a choice of Eco, Comfort, Grass-Gravel-Snow, Mud-Ruts, Sand, Dynamic and Automatic mode. Each alters the calibration of the engine, transmission, all-wheel drive system, suspension, and stability control systems for optimum traction and composure.
A comprehensive portfolio of technologies supports Velar’s all-terrain capability. The 3D Surround Camera displays a real-time external 3D perspective of the vehicle via the touchscreen – useful for low-speed manoeuvres. It can even display a plan view from above, seemingly making the car disappear – useful when manoeuvring across different terrains.
The ClearSight Ground View system cleverly stitches together camera feeds to offer a virtual view below the bonnet on the central Pivi Pro6 display, so drivers can see the hidden area on the ground directly in front and beneath the vehicle. Cameras positioned in the front grille and on the door mirrors provide an accurate representation of the terrain and any potential hazards.
The Rear Camera provides improved visibility when reversing. Embedded above the rear registration plate, the camera enables a series of views including Reverse View, Rear Junction View and Hitch Assist. The technology works by overlaying the car’s outer perimeter and projected path onto the camera’s live video feed, for greater accuracy while parking and manoeuvring.
In Rear Junction View, the driver has a wide-angle view (180°) of the upcoming road to compensate for the obstruction. The camera’s high resolution and wide angle allows an uninterrupted view of objects up to 2m high at distances of 1-60m from the rear bumper. For customers looking to tow, Hitch Assist aids the process of reversing the Velar to a tow hitch point behind the vehicle9. Guide lines are displayed as the driver reverses towards the trailer, helping to manoeuvre with precision.
All Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) functions like a low-speed cruise control and provides added composure in adverse conditions by managing vehicle speed – use of the throttle and brake is not required. The system is activated with the press of a button, and the desired speed set using the cruise control switches on the steering wheel. ATPC works in both forward and reverse gears and is operational from 3.6 to 30.0km/h. It is particularly beneficial in challenging environments where steep gradients, rough terrain and low-grip levels mean a constant crawl speed is desirable in order to maintain composure and occupant comfort.
Low Traction Launch is designed to help drivers pull away smoothly from a standstill on very slippery surfaces. Activated through Pivi Pro6, Low Traction Launch reduces the possibility of wheelspin. Above 30km/h, the throttle calibration automatically reverts back to the Terrain Responseâ setting that was previously selected.
Hill Descent Control (HDC) uses the ABS system to maintain a controlled vehicle speed on steep inclines without driver intervention. HDC incorporates Gradient Release Control to progressively release the brakes when moving away on an incline.
The 4x4i menu also offers slope information – displaying the degree of incline and front and rear camera views – as well as familiar information such as steering wheel angle, driveline torque distribution, suspension articulation and Wade Sensing data.
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Content and images supplied via MotorPress