New Range Rover Velar: Electric crossover transforms into a sedan
The new Range Rover Velar is under development, and its design will radically differ from its predecessor. The latest spy photos show how the Velar is transforming into a high-riding sedan. The model is expected to be available in both fully electric and hybrid versions. Testing is already in its final stages, and the presentation could take place within the next six months.
Platform and Powertrains
The new model will be the first Jaguar Land Rover product built on the EMA platform. Initially, this architecture was developed exclusively for electric powertrains, which explains some recent reports that the Velar would be an EV only. Last week, JLR refuted these rumors, confirming that the platform will also support hybrid powertrains.
Specific characteristics of these powertrains are not yet known, but Autocar reports that the platform will include an 800-volt electrical architecture. The electric vehicle will be positioned as a competitor to the BMW iX3, Mercedes-Benz GLC EQ, and Volvo EX60, although in profile it will be closer to the low-slung Polestar 4. There is no information yet on the battery size, but to adequately compete with these cars, it could have a capacity of up to 100 kWh or slightly more.
Design and Innovations
The design of the new Velar was created by Gerry McGovern before he left Jaguar Land Rover. It is unclear why the company decided to abandon the more traditional SUV shape of the current Velar in favor of something else, but this will also allow it to compete with electric sedans such as the BMW i3 and the electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class, as well as their SUV equivalents.
There are rumors that, like the Polestar 4 and the new Jaguar Type 01, the Velar may do without a rear window and rely entirely on a rearview camera. This would allow the automaker to increase headroom for rear passengers, and eliminating the conventional rear window also dispenses with the bulky top crossbar typically required for a glass panel.
The Model’s Future
The report also notes that the new model may not be called Velar at all, as JLR works to establish Discovery, Range Rover, Defender, and Jaguar as separate brand families.
JLR needs the new Velar to be a success. It will be the first entirely new model since PB Balaji took over the company, who also serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Tata Motors. It needs to sell in larger volumes than the full-size Range Rover and Land Rover Defender, partly thanks to a more accessible price.
The new Velar will be an important step for JLR, demonstrating a transition to a new platform and bolder design. Abandoning the traditional SUV form in favor of a more streamlined, sedan-like profile could attract a new audience seeking a combination of off-road capability and elegance. At the same time, the potential absence of a rear window raises questions about driver familiarity, although this could become a new standard in the world of electric vehicles. Competition in the mid-size electric crossover segment is incredibly high, so the Velar’s success will depend not only on its innovative design but also on its range, performance, and, of course, price.