Bucket Seat: Range Rover Velar 300D Dynamic HSE

I always maintained the Range Rover Velar was for men who secretly like the Evoque but didn't want to buy the Evoque for fear of their masculinity being in question. Not that there is anything wrong with the Range Rover Evoque, but it is a bit small and you will struggle to get a set of golf clubs in the boot. So maybe the designers down at Range Rover figured they'd make something that has the sleek lines of the Evoque but with more space and hence the Velar came about. Of course that reasoning is totally made up in my head and they probably needed a mid-sized SUV to fit their line up. Not too long ago I got to spend a week in the Velar 300D in Johannesburg, the Range Rover Velar 300D is part of the luxury midsize SUV lineup from Land Rover, and it perfectly balances sophisticated design with advanced engineering. The car is a looker of note and while it not have the bulky presence of its bigger brother the Range Rover Vogue, it still commands respect on the roads when driven. 

DESIGN

The Velar’s design is sleek, minimalist, and futuristic, with smooth lines and a floating roof that makes it instantly recognizable. Its flush door handles, slim LED headlights, and coupe-like profile give it a unique stance that sets it apart from other SUVs in its class. The 300D comes with 21-inch alloy wheels as standard, with options to upgrade to even larger 22-inch alloys for a sportier look, this is standard when ordering the Velar with the R-Dynamic kit. The rear design is equally impressive, featuring dual exhaust outlets and a clean, minimal tailgate with striking taillights. The Velar stands out as one of the most attractive SUVs on the road, balancing elegance with an athletic edge. The profile of the Velar is to be admired, hence during my time I parallel parked this beauty on every occasion I could, preferably in front of a cafe, so I can sit and sip on my coffee while admiring the lines of the car and watch as passers by gazed into its charm. I quite like the paint work Range Rover is doing with their cars, this model came in Varesine Blue and had the details finished of in a bronze colour that really enhanced the look of the car. The interior design has gone completely minimalist, and its practically a carbon copy of the rest of the Range Rover range, just adapted to suit the size of the car. 

PERFORMANCE

The "300D" refers to the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six diesel engine, which combines decent power with good fuel efficiency, appealing to those who prefer a more efficient yet still powerful engine option.The 300D engine is a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel, delivering 221kW of power and 650 Nm of torque. With this engine, the Velar accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 6.5 seconds, impressive for a vehicle of its size and weight. The eight-speed automatic transmission is smooth and responsive, making everyday driving a breeze, whether in the city or on the highway. One of the standout features is the inclusion of mild-hybrid technology, which helps to improve fuel efficiency and emissions, especially during stop-start traffic. In terms of fuel economy, the Velar 300D achieves around 8 liters per 100km on highways, with slightly higher figures in city driving. While it's not a full off-roader like the classic Range Rovers, it retains a good deal of Land Rover’s Terrain Response system and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) capabilities, meaning it can handle moderate off-road conditions and weather challenges with ease. The Velar is designed with luxury and comfort in mind, and that is immediately evident once behind the wheel. The adaptive air suspension provides a smooth, float-like ride, soaking up road imperfections and making long journeys relaxing. The steering is precise, and while the Velar’s focus is not on sports-like agility, it is still composed around corners, with minimal body roll for a vehicle this size. In city driving, the Velar feels nimble enough despite its size, and active driver assistance features (such as lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors) enhance the driving experience, making tight city streets easier to navigate.

COMFORT

Step inside the Velar, and you’re immediately greeted by a plush, luxurious interior. Premium materials such as leather, brushed aluminum, and high-quality plastics are found throughout. The seats are extremely comfortable, with the option of heating, cooling, and massage functions for both the driver and passengers, this is an optional extra. Unlike previous models which featured a dual touch screen, the minimalistic design of the cabin now incorporates a 11.4-inch infotainment touch screen,. This controls pretty much everything in the cabin, from the radio, to the GPS as well as climate control.  The UI, which at first glance looks pretty simple to operate can become a bit complicated when diving into the options and controls of the cars full capabilities but still, to do the important stuff is quite easy and with the built-in wireless mobile app connectivity, you will be projecting your phone most of the time. The Velar comes with a Meridian sound system, ensuring passengers enjoy top-tier audio quality. Additionally, the system includes navigation with real-time traffic updates, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and various connected services like remote vehicle monitoring through the Land Rover app. The cabin is quiet thanks to excellent sound insulation, and the Velar's panoramic sunroof adds to the open, airy feel. In terms of space, both the front and rear seats offer ample legroom, and the cargo capacity is decent for its class, offering 558 liters of boot space, which can expand with the rear seats folded. The driver's display is a fully digital 12.3-inch TFT unit, which is customizable to show everything from maps to vehicle information.

SAFETY

The Velar, like any other car from the Land Rover stable features a host of safety features, starting with the 360 camera system, it gives the driver a complete overview of the car and its surrounds, so navigating this car at low speeds is made easier with this. Adaptive cruise control is pretty intuitive and responsive when in use, it monitors the cars around you and not just the ones in front, this is also aided by the lane-keeping assist which keeps the car in line when you on the open road. There is park assist to help you get into those tricky spots or, if you like me want to admire the cars side view, and parallel park it everywhere, you can let the car do it for you! Other key safety features include Autonomous Emergency Braking: Detects potential collisions and applies the brakes if necessary. Blind-spot monitoring, Rear cross-traffic alert, Lane departure warning, Traffic sign recognition and Driver condition monitoring. The Velar has earned high marks in various safety tests, making it a secure choice for families.

VERDICT

The Range Rover Velar 300D stands out for its combination of elegance, luxury, and practicality. While it's not designed to be a hardcore off-roader, it offers more than enough capability for most drivers and excels in providing a plush, tech-laden cabin, refined on-road manners, and a design that will turn heads. For those in the market for a luxury SUV with a powerful yet efficient diesel engine, the Velar 300D is a solid choice. It’s an ideal vehicle for individuals or families who value style, comfort, and technology in their driving experience.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	6 cylinder, 3-litre Turbo Diesel
Gear Box	Automatic
Torque	650Nm
Power	221kW
Fuel Economy	7.3L per 100km
Price	R1,991,100*

*base price

Bucket Seat: Land Rover Defender 90 V8 Carpathian Edition

When one thinks of Land Rover, the iconic Defender automatically comes to mind for most of us. Capable to withstand the toughest conditions and conquering any terrain making it an explorers dream. The Defender came in various body styles, namely the 3 door, 4 seater, short wheel based 90, the standard 5-door,5 seater 110 and the 5-door, 7-seater, long wheel based 130. All of which shared the same ruggedness and appetite for rough terrain. The latest Defender which was launched 3 years ago did cause some controversy with many thinking it wouldn’t live up to the legendary status of the previous generations but it soon proved the critiques wrong and has enjoyed much success in its stint so far. Having driven the launch edition 110, the Defender has since received some much needed tech upgrades and subtle styling ones too, I was keen to see how it faired to the one I drove 3 years ago. Last month I got to spend a few days with the Defender V8 Carpathian Edition 90 Series in Cape Town and this is what I thought of it.

DESIGN

I was always a fan of the design of the new Defender, while many wanted the boxy body to remain, I think the design team did extremely well in retaining the overall iconic Defender styling but giving it some curves to not only make it more aerodynamic but more appealing to the greater buying market. With the 90 being the short wheel base chassis, it does tend to look odd in pictures but in the metal it’s just as menacing as the 110 but also menacing in its own unique way. I frowned at a lady who said it looked “cute” and so did the car as it let out a ghastly roar thanks to the mighty V8 under the hood but more about that later. As mentioned there has been subtle design enhancements with it getting revised LED headlights some tweaks to the grille and some new paint colours to choose from, this one being the Carpathian Edition came in a combination of Carpathian grey with gloss black. The larger 22-inch wheels were also blacked out to give the car a really menacing appearance to the onlookers. A member of my party described it as the “ultimate doomsday spec” and I can see why. On the inside, the interior keeps that black theme but major differences come with the new infotainment screen on and other tech upgrades which we will talk about later. With it being a “coupe”, the doors are longer than normal so it adds the sporty characteristics to match the V8 under the hood.

PERFORMANCE

As you can tell I couldn’t wait long enough to get to this part of the review. The turbo charged V8, *sigh* I miss it oh so much, that loud grunt as you plant your foot down on the accelerator to meet the floor, summoning all 625Nm of torque to propel forward as it maximises the 368kW it has on demand to reach a 0-100km/h time of just 5.2 seconds! That’s a 3 tonne car achieving a time that’s equivalent to most hot hatches! It’s quite something to experience and while the brute power isn’t something that you would utilise to its maximum potential off road, it’s nice to know it has that for less tricky terrain making it feel almost like a rally car when navigating loose gravel roads. On the road itself the Defender V8 feels like just any ordinary SUV, high ride height which gives the driver a great view of the road and its surrounds, handling is easy and light, the nice thing about this short wheelbase model is how is it is to park, be it parallel or alley docking, of course the help of the 4 cameras is a massive help but all those aids the 90 Series to make you look like a pro every-time you park it. The 5.0L turbocharged V8 engine manufactured by Jaguar/ Land Rover is personally one of the best that I’ve experienced. I’ve had the pleasure of driving it in various models, and it all guises it has been superb. While being fitted in various chassis, the engineers still manage to tune it to each model to get the most out of it. It’s funny when looking at the technical aspects of the engine in the brochure received, when it comes to fuel economy it remains blank, then again when buying a V8 one doesn’t look at this but I can say I averaged about 15L per 100km, from the 90L tank with a mixture of driving. Off road capabilities are endless with the Defender, with it having all-wheel-drive, adaptive suspension, electronic traction control, roll stability control and dynamic stability control, making it super versatile in any condition. I has hill descent control for those steep terrains and hill launch assist should you need to get up over anything. The electronic air suspension works super well, automatically adjusting when it notices a change in terrain. The electronic active differential also does its job without you even noticing which what makes the Defender just as, if not more capable than its predecessors.  

COMFORT

The Defender isn’t known to be the most luxurious SUV but credit to the guys at Land Rover, the new Defender borrows a lot from its siblings in the range. From the quality of materials used to the technology that’s fitted in the car it makes the Defender just as good as some of the other models in the line up. The interior still has a lot of robust materials that make the Defender quite versatile to handle its self out in the open. There’s a lot of good quality hard plastics that make up the dash and door panels. The leather while being comfortable is also hardy type which takes a lot for it to get damaged and easily to clean. The design is such that the cabin has plenty of storage space from the cubby to the floating center console with elevated gear selector allowing for loads of space between the driver and passenger. There is a USB A, USB C and power outlet available for the front passenger and driver with USB C ports for the rear passengers. Large cup holders, with an additional storage tray behind that and the arm rest which opens to a cooled compartment which serves as an ideal fridge to keep your beverages chilled. The rear seats can seat 3 adults but its recommended for 2 to sit comfortably, getting to the back is much easier than a normal coupe as with the extra height it aids in this. Dual zone climate control helps keep the cabin cosy and comfortable and the large panoramic sun roof allows natural light to filter in. The car is equipped with built mobile apps, that operate wirelessly which is projected onto the large 11.4-inh touch screen. The car came standard with Meridian Sound System which is great as always, so couldn't fault it on any level. 

VERDICT

Overall, the fear of whether his new Defender could hold up the mantle that the old generations have built over the decades is quite clear. It can do all of that and so much more, it was time that the Defender moved into the modern age and this car does it perfectly, while this particular model might be a performance rated one, it still manages to do the hard work with ease. The creature comforts might be a bit much for the avid explorer but who doesn't need aircon when you're flying over dunes in the Sahara? Or keeping your tushy warm while pummeling snow in Greenland? Once the moaners get their ass in this car they won't know what they're missing out on. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	5.0L Supercharged V8
Gear Box	8-speed automatic
Torque	625Nm
Power	368kW
0-100km/h	5.2 seconds
Price	R2,889,600

*base price

Bucket Seat: Land Rover Discovery 3.0D

Recently the JLR holding company went through re-branding of the JLR of its various sub companies and brands. This trend follows through to the Land Rover stable where there is distinct differences between the various models and sub-brands that differentiates between the hardcore off-roading models, the mixture of luxury and off-roading, the leisure type vehicles and the ultra luxury categories. Upon my recent visit to Cape Town, Land Rover South Africa let me spend time with the revised Discovery 5 model, it was the first time I got behind the wheel of the new Discovery and while the change from the Disco 4 to the 5 was quite drastic, I was keen to see if it still offered that mixtures of off-roading and comfort that the previous models built the Discovery reputation on. 

DESIGN

Ever since the Disco 5 broke cover in 2017, many were not too happy at how it looked. It's basically a longer version of the Discovery Sport, credit to Land Rover, they did try to pay homage to the Discovery name by offsetting the number plate holder in the back to mimic the older models but this was done because of the spare tyre, now that the spare is located under the car, this exercise seems a bit pointless no? The revised model which is out now see's subtle changes that makes the car look much better than the launch model, small editions like the revised Matrix LED headlights upfront, the R-Dynamic Sports trim and more smoother lines make the Disco 5 look much more pleasing on the eye. The model I had was the Metropolitan Edition in Eiger Grey, with black contrast roof with sliding front sunroof and fixed rear panoramic roof. It came fitted with 22-inch Diamond Turned rims with gloss dark grey contrast that add to that sporty look. While the car is rather large, the curves does help give the illusion that it's not as big as it really is. The side profile and rear of the car remain unchanged with slight modifications to the wheel arches and updated LED lights, the number plate is still mounted to the side but I don't mind it to be honest, keeps that Disco heritage going. The interior is laid out fantastically, fitted with all the new toys that you would find in all of their new models with a few more for this model. 

PERFORMANCE

With a weight of 2,315kg's, you'd expect quite a powerful power plant and you would be right, the Discovery came with a 3.0D V6 that produces 221kW and a torque rating of 650Nm, enough pulling power to tow up to 3,500kgs with a full load. It's a big vehicle so on the road driving could feel cumbersome at first but doesn't take long to getting used to, plus with all the driving aids like lane departure warning, as well as lane keep assist, multiple cameras, collision detection, adaptive cruise control and the list goes on, it makes driving he Discovery pretty simple, no matter what environment and terrain you find yourself in. Building up speed on the freeway isn't an issue due to the high torque value, cruising speeds ensure that you keep your average consumption in check. Urban driving was pretty similar, the diesel engine in the Discovery is just sublime and I cannot fault it at all. Seeing I was in the scenic Cape, I did some exploring with the Discovery, the capabilities of it are endless. 

Fitted with electronic air suspension, the transition from tar to gravel is effortless with the car automatically picking up the change in terrain and raising the suspension, going onto harder gravel, a turn on the selector to change the terrain response is all that you need. The car comes with all the off-road assists such as ETC, GAC, RSC, CBC and EPAS, most importantly DSC and EDB. I know I just rattled a bunch of acronyms to you but if you have decent knowledge of 4x4ing, it shouldn't be anything new to you. The steering response is great and extremely accurate. After spending some time exploring the gravel roads around Franschhoek, it was time to see how it handled the Pass and I've driven many sports cars on that road but I was pleasantly surprised by the capabilities of this massive SUV as it just tore through the twists and bends, making mince meat of what would be quite a handful for most big cars. 

COMFORT

I can't even begin to tell you about the level of comfort in the Discovery, lets put it this way, the 3rd row seating which is electronically control has heated seats, yes, the 3rd row seating has heated seats! The drive and front passenger get heated and ventilated seats along with a whole command center for the four-zone climate control. That panel has a neat trick as it drops down to open a secret storage compartment. The driver gets a multi-function steering wheel that has heating function, the instrument cluster is an interactive fully digital screen, and the car has a large 11.4-inch touch screen infotainment center that has mobile apps built-in. The center storage doubles as a cooler so you can keep your water bottles chilled on a long road trip. Cabin has mood lighting which sets a nice tone to it at night. Space is of utmost importance in the Discovery and the second row seats gets plenty of it. These seats also get heating functionality, like the 3rd row and have their own dual zone climate control settings. There are plenty of 12V sockets in the cabin with USB ports for charging phones, there is also a wireless charging station. The tow bar is electronically deployed from the boot and you will also find switches for dropping or raising both the second and the third row seats in the cabin. This makes for much easier loading. The tailgate which is also gesture control splits with a small bench that drops at the bottom, loading space with the third row up is 291mm but when it dropped extends to 986mm or 1,231-litres.  

VEDICT

I was wrong about the Discovery, I thought the newer model didn't do justice to its predecessors but after spending some time with it, it does all that and a whole lot more. While the interior is super luxurious and has all the latest technology you can think of in cars of today, it still maintains that true off-roading heritage that we all know and love. Whether its being used for picking up the kids after sports practice or traversing around the mountain side, the Discovery is more than capable of any challenge it faces. Some might frown upon the cross pollination from various brands but I think JLR have done well with adapting some of the Jaguar's plushness and luxury into the Land Rover stable and it makes a huge difference when it comes to putting out a premium package like this. The quality of materials, build quality and tech showcased in the Disco 5 is second to none its segment, truly a remarkable vehicle from the brand. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	3.0D 6-cylinder turbocharged
Gear Box	8-speed automatic
Torque	650Nm
Power	221W
Average Fuel Consumption	7.8L per 100km
Price	R1,896,000*

*base price 

 

Bucket Seat: Range Rover Evoque

Range Rover has always been one of the preferred brands of the Land Rover Stable, offering something a bit more on the luxurious side while still staying true to its off-roading roots. In 2011 they unveiled something new to the market, a short-wheel based compact SUV in the Evoque, it was a dawn of a new heading for the brand as most of the design philosophy going forward was to be based on this "baby SUV". While this had the purist in shock, many welcomed the change to the brand, giving the cars a fresh new identity and ultra modern looks. The Evoque had a hard time winning over the older chaps but it wasn't aimed at them, it was aimed at the youth and something about the car appealed more to the females, hence it got a reputation for being a "ladies car". A Range Rover to go shopping, yoga, pilates and other female related activities. The introduction of the convertible Evoque didn't help to butch its image at all, in fact it just sent it further down that road as an SUV for the females. While many men would laugh off the Evoque as a proper SUV, I was forced into one at a Land Rover Off-Roading course and I was pretty much blown away when I realised it could do pretty much everything a Discovery 4 could do at the time. Obviously with the lower ride height and bigger rims, there were certain ways you had to approach obstacles with the Evoque and not just drive straight over them like you would in a Defender but it really showed me it was still and Landy by heart. Recently I got the chance to spend some time in the latest generator Evoque, another key model in their stable as this is echoing in the next design language change in the Range Rover stable. 

DESIGN

The overall design of the new Evoque is very pleasing to look at with no more rigid shapes and angular lines, the car is completely smoothed out with beautiful curves and almost zero creases. The details on the exterior of the car really make the car stand out from the rest and gives the car so much more character. Finished off in "Nolita Grey", the Evoque looked stunning as it almost has a matte like finish that just makes the design stand out more. It had Rose Gold accents to certain parts of the body work that made it pop in the sun, a brilliant contrast to the overall colour of the car. Like the original model, the roof is blacked out that gives the overall car a nice two-tone paintwork. The Evoque is one seriously stylish car and I can see what many would say it is rather feminine but at the same time, the new sporty design language of the car makes it look rather sleek so maybe its more of a unisex car now? The interior has received a major overhaul with majority of the buttons being done away with and the use of TFT touchscreens making up most of the controls. Like the exterior, the interior is also very stylish and modern, which makes it extremely pleasing to look at. 

PERFORMANCE

The Evoque comes with three engines to chose from, a 2.0L Petrol a 2.0L Diesel and a 1.5L PHEV, I had with me the 2.0L Diesel which would have been my choice from the three to start with. Doing long distance travelling, the diesel always seems to out perform the other two, also with a full load the extra torque does come handy. The 4-cylinder TurboCharge Diesel motor churns out 147kW giving it a top-speed of 213km/h with a 0-100km/h time of 8.5 seconds. The car handles extremely well, being so nimble you hardly feel you're driving around in an SUV. The Coupe like styling cuts through the air like a normal sedan would but with a greater ride height so visibility is much better for the driver. The is very little road noise once you're in the cabin and minimal body roll when taking bends and corners at high-speed. While I did say the Evoque is a very capable off-roader, I never got the chance to put it through its paces during my time there due to the bad weather but never the less, it managed to successfully complete the tasks we had set out for it, that is taking us to and from the golf course. 

COMFORT

Like any Range Rover, the Evoque is extremely comfortable, stepping into this one it is noticeably smaller than its siblings but you will find that it is not that cramped as you'd think it would be. Yes, while travelling with a lot of stuff isn't the best given the size of its luggage being only 471L but with a drop off the seats this increases to 1156L. The leather seats are premium with perforations for heating and cooling. The car come with three-zone climate control, all of which is easily accessible on the touch screen controls. The user-interface has a very classy look to it and is extremely easy to use, connecting your mobile phone to it is also simple enough as it has wireless functionality for both CarPlay and Adroid Auto. There is a wireless charge which is located underneath the floating center console making great use of space in the cabin. All the materials in the cabin are soft to touch and are of great quality. The car comes with a Meridian sound system which is nothing short of superb, offering clarity and bass when required. 

VERDICT

While many still will turn their head when given the choice of the Evoque, this little SUV remains a quality offering for the consumer. It's the baby Range and as you saw from the new Range Rover Sport which was launched last night, much of it is based on this model. It's the perfect car for a small family with adequate space and perfectly spec'd engines. The options list to make the Evoque unique to you is endless which a wide variety of textures, trims and paints to chose from. What I like about the new Range Rovers is that they all come with the flush door handles that pop-out when the car is unlocked. Giving the car that extra luxurious look. The car is a stunner and when you see one on the road it does catch your attention. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.0L Turbo Diesel
Gear Box	9-Speed Auto
Torque	430Nm
Power	147kW
Top Speed	213km
Price	R1,150,000*

*Price as standard. R1,203,280 as tested.