Range Rover Velar gets a PHEV Variant & Upgrades
This may come as a surprise to you, but the Range Rover Velar Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) variant was only just launched. Land Rover have been steadily electrifying their SUV range over the few years. Back in 2018, they added a PHEV option for their flagship Range Rover. Later on, PHEVs for the new Evoque and Disco Sport models were added too. Now the Range Rover Velar gets its own ‘P400e’ model, in-line with the company’s nomenclature.
The Range Rover Velar sits between the Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Sport in the portfolio. As such, it does not get the 3-cylinder PHEV setup seen on the Evoque. Instead the Velar P400e gets a 2-litre 4-cylinder turbo producing 300PS. Paired to a 105kW electric motor, this SUV puts out 404PS and 640Nm of torque.
This gives the Range Rover Velar P400e a 0-100km/h time of just 5.4 seconds.
Charging its 17.1kWh lithium-ion battery to 80% takes 30 minutes on a DC fast charger and 100 minutes on a standard 7kW wallbox. Electric range is a modest 53km.
Should we expect the PHEV Range Rover Velar locally-assembled here? Don’t count on it! This was the plan for the Evoque PHEV two years ago, but the NAP 2020 turned out to be a completely unusable document for product planners.
That being said, even the non-PHEV models are getting some upgrades, including the PIVI infotainment system and a new Cabin Air Filtration system. Here’s the press release with more details on those.
PRESS RELEASE
The Range Rover Velar is now even more desirable, sustainable and intelligent with the introduction of an electric plug-in hybrid option**, advanced new infotainment technology and elegant new design features.
The mid-size luxury SUV, which sits between the Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Sport in the family line-up, offers customers the perfect balance of design and technology – now with electric power. The new 2.0-litre four-cylinder P400e plug-in hybrid offers a smooth and refined drive, producing a combined 404PS and 640Nm of torque from its 300PS petrol engine and 105kW electric motor, with an impressive 0-60mph in 5.1 seconds (0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds). A 17.1kWh lithium-ion battery, located under the boot floor, can be charged to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes†† using a fast DC charge point, or 1 hour 40 minutes using a standard 7kW wallbox. With zero tailpipe emissions in electric mode, an impressive real-world all-electric range of 53km (33 miles),* fuel economy of up to 2.2 litres/100km* (130.2mpg) and CO2 emissions from just 49g/km*, the Range Rover Velar is now even more sustainable by design.
A new family of 3.0-litre straight-six Ingenium engines is also introduced to the Range Rover Velar for the first time. The latest generation of smooth and efficient petrol and diesel engines are available with 48-volt mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) technology for reduced fuel consumption and heightened refinement. The new straight-six engines, developed in-house, are available as D300 (300PS diesel) and P340 (340PS) and P400 (400PS) petrol all-wheel drive variants, each fitted with air suspension as standard for signature Range Rover comfort.
The new engines are available with mild-hybrid electric vehicle technology (MHEV) in addition to the latest engine technologies, for efficient performance. The MHEV system uses a Belt integrated Starter Generator (BiSG) in the engine bay to harvest energy usually lost under deceleration, which is then stored in a 48V lithium-ion battery located beneath the rear loadspace. It is able to redeploy the stored energy to assist the engine when accelerating away, while also delivering a more refined and responsive stop/start system.
The new P340 and P400 straight-six engines generate 480Nm/550Nm torque respectively, while the powerful P400 delivers an impressive 0-60mph time of 5.2 seconds (0-100km in 5.5 seconds.) Both engines feature an electric supercharger supported by a twin scroll turbocharger and Continuous Variable Valve Lift (CVVL), for refined performance.
The D300 diesel generates 650Nm torque, offering 0-60mph in 6.1 seconds (0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds) with fuel economy of up to 38.2mpg (7.4litres/100km) and CO2 from 194g/km. Series sequential turbos and an advanced after-treatment system make it one of the world’s leading clean diesel engines.
The new in-line Ingenium diesel engine designs meet Real Driving Emissions Step 2 (RDE2) standards and Euro 6d-final real-world driving compliance with 48V Mild-Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology boosting responses and fuel economy. As a result, the new Ingenium diesel unit – also now available in the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport – is one of the world’s leading clean diesel engines.
Additionally, the next generation four-cylinder Ingenium D200 (204PS diesel) is introduced on the Range Rover Velar, offering more power, lower CO2 and improved fuel economy. The engine is offered with the same 48-volt mild hybrid technology as the rest of the range, with CO2 from 165g/km* and fuel economy of up to 44.9mpg (6.3 litres/100km)*.
Velar features a reductive design, emphasised with beautifully integrated digital screens that are now fitted with Land Rover’s state-of-the-art infotainment system, Pivi and Pivi Pro. The intelligent and intuitive system, offered as Pivi ProΔ from an S-specification pack, transforms the digital experience inside Velar.
Pivi is designed around ease of use, with a simple interface reducing the number of interactions to enhance safety. Crisp new graphics and super-fast responsiveness are enabled with a new electrical architecture under the surface, ensuring the screens and navigation system are ready to go in seconds, thanks also to a dedicated power source. Customers can access software updates ‘over-the-air’ reducing the need to visit a retailer. An embedded data connection means customers have access to the latest maps, apps and vehicle software modules with updates scheduled via the touchscreen at a time to suit them.
Streaming music and media has never been simpler. Spotify is integrated directly within the infotainment menu for the first time, with data included ΔΔ, while there’s Bluetooth connectivity for two phones at once.
Nick Rogers, Executive Director, Product Engineering Jaguar Land Rover, said: “The Range Rover Velar’s name and bloodline dates back to the code name of the original Range Rover prototypes. It has been fifty years since the introduction of the pioneering Range Rover in 1970, and now every family member is electrified with our awesome plug-in hybrid technology. Electrified powertrains and cleaner mild hybrid diesel engines mean the Velar is an even more efficient and sustainable option for our customers. Jaguar Land Rover’s new Electrical Vehicle Architecture – EVA 2.0 – supports the new Pivi and Pivi Pro infotainment, as well as Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA), and a whole suite of advanced driver assistance systems, cameras and clean-air technology, making the Range Rover Velar cleaner, safer and smarter than ever before and one of the most technologically advanced luxury SUVs in the world.”
The experience inside the Range Rover Velar is now an even calmer sanctuary with the addition of Active Road Noise Cancellation***. The intelligent technology works like a pair of high-end noise cancellation headphones, constantly monitoring vibrations from the road surface and calculating the opposite phase sound wave needed to remove the noise heard by the occupants. The effect is subtle, but the minimum reduction of 4 decibels ensures an even more refined and calming interior space. The system is even able to adjust the level and position of sounds played into the cabin based on the number of passengers and their position inside the vehicle by using the seatbelt sensors. This advanced system delivers a more serene experience inside Velar, even reducing driver tiredness, which can be brought about by extended exposure to low-frequency sound on long journeys.
A new Cabin Air Filtration system enhances the relaxing and clean sanctuary inside Velar, reducing levels of harmful particulates, pollen and even odours. The new system – introduced in addition to the existing Cabin Air Ionisation feature – filters out fine particulate matter, allergens, pollen and even strong smells. Activated via a ‘Purify’ button in the lower touchscreen, it is capable of filtering ultrafine particulates (up to and even below PM2.5). Drivers and passengers can be assured the air they breathe inside the Range Rover Velar is cleaner than the air outside.
Also available is the new second-generation wearable Activity Key, which can totally replace the traditional key fob when necessary. The water-resistant and shock-proof wrist device now incorporates an LCD watch and allows customers to start, stop, lock and unlock the vehicle, with no need to take a traditional key fob out with them.
Additional new design features introduced on Velar include a new steering wheel design which has integrated smart buttons ready to receive the latest ADAS software updates over-the-air. A tactile new Drive Selector also replaces the rotary gear selector.
The ‘Range Rover Velar Edition’ provides even more customer choice and features a combination of exterior and interior upgrades. Based on the R-Dynamic SE specification□, enhancements include a black contrast roof and matching 20-inch black alloy wheels, for sophisticated presence. The distinctive new special edition model is available exclusively in Lantau Bronze metallic paint, as well as the new Hakuba Silver, Santorini Black or Eiger Grey.
About the Author
Subhash Nair Written work on dsf.my. @subhashtag on instagram. Autophiles Malaysia on Youtube.
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