AN updated Range Rover Velar with new infotainment technology, new design features and a choice of five powertrains including an electric plug-in hybrid option is now available in South Africa.

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 Pro 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, while there’s Bluetooth connectivity for two phones at once.

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.

The new ‘Range Rover Velar Landmark 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 Landmark Edition model is available exclusively in Lantau Bronze metallic paint, as well as the new Hakuba Silver, Santorini Black or Eiger Grey.

The new Range Rover Velar has an expanded engine choice to suit every customer, with the new P400e plug-in hybrid (PHEV) delivering impressive range and CO2 from just 53g/km*, a new family of in-line six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, and more efficient four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.

The new 2.0-litre four-cylinder P400e plug-in hybrid offers a smooth and refined drive, producing a combined 297kW and 640Nm of torque from its 221kW petrol engine and 105kW electric motor***, with an impressive 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds. A 17.1kWh lithium-ion battery, located under the boot floor, can be charged to 80 percent 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 61km, fuel economy as low as 2.3 litres/100km and CO2 emissions from just 53g/km*, the Range Rover Velar is now even more sustainable by design. The PHEV powertrain works with an advanced eight-speed automatic transmission, which combines lightweight construction and highly efficient operation to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Customers can conveniently charge their Velar in three ways, the quickest of which uses fast 32kW public DC charging to reach 80 percent vehicle charge in just 30 minutes. Using a Mode 3 cable connected to a 7kW (32amp) wallbox, customers can expect an 80 percent charge in just 1 hour 40 minutes. Drivers can also use a traditional Mode 2 charging cable, which takes 5 hours 29 minutes for an 80 percent charge. This ensures the Range Rover Velar P400e is even capable of overnight battery top-ups using just a three-prong domestic plug socket.

Drivers are able to select between three driving modes to best suit their requirements, whether they are making short urban journeys or long distance highway driving:

EV (Electric Vehicle) 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 (the default driving mode) – combines petrol and electric drive. This mode optimises the comfort and efficiency of the hybrid system, automatically and seamlessly combining the electric motor and petrol engine. The strategy adapts to the driving conditions and the remaining charge in the hybrid battery. Additionally, entering a destination in the navigation system enables the Predictive Energy Optimisation (PEO) function, which intelligently integrates route and GPS location data to maximise efficiency and comfort for the selected journey.

SAVE mode – prioritises the combustion engine as its energy source, maintaining the battery State of Charge at the chosen level, for deployment at a specific point in the journey – for example when entering urban areas.

A new family of 3.0-litre straight-six Ingenium engines has also been introduced to the Range Rover Velar.  The P340 delivers 250kW and 480Nm of torque, with acceleration from 0 – 100km/h in 6.3 seconds. The straight-six Ingenium petrol engine is lightweight – with a 12.9kg saving on the unit it replaces – and features a number of innovations including mild-hybrid (MHEV) technology.

Meanwhile, the new straight-six D300 diesel engine is also 7kg lighter than the previous V6, producing 221kW and 650Nm of torque to deliver powerful performance, with acceleration from 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds.