2023 Range Rover Velar gets new HST flagship
400hp straight-six replaces V8 as top spec Velar
You'd be forgiven for not giving much though to Land Rover's middle child in recent months. After all, the Defender has gone off with an enormous bang; there's a new full-size Range Rover to be excited about; and the reveal of the next-generation Range Rover Sport is just round the corner. But the Velar is still very much here - and now there's a 2023 Model Year facelift to keep it competitive.
The significant news is the introduction of an HST specification at the top of the Velar range, it having already proved popular on both the Evoque and Range Rover Sport. Only offered with the straight-six mild hybrid Ingenium engines (300hp diesel or 400hp petrol), the HST flagships promise a "distinctive combination of design enhancements and chassis features to bring a new dimension of sporting luxury to the line up".
Based on the existing R-Dynamic model, the HST - much like the new F-Pace Sport models, in fact - blacks out a lot of the exterior, with black wheels, a black roof and a full exterior black pack as standard. All the usual Velar colours are offered, though a new Arroios Grey is unique to the HST.
Standard equipment includes air suspension with Adaptive Dynamics, plus Configurable Dynamics. Which isn't confusing at all - here's an explanation. Between what the car thinks is best and the driving mode you're in the mood for, Land Rover says the latest chassis technologies "ensure the perfect balance of ride comfort and handling."
Elsewhere in the range - a Velar with the 404hp plug-in hybrid is still available, as well as a 250hp petrol and 204hp diesel - the Edition spec has been reintroduced. Offered for the petrol and diesel model (the top of the range PHEV remains an R-Dynamic HSE), the Edition builds on the R-Dynamic SE (and sits below the HSE) with, wouldn't you know, a Black Pack, black roof and black wheels. It costs from £61,005 as a D200 diesel, or £62,020 for the P250 petrol.
Finally, the whole Velar range for 2023 has Amazon Alexa as an option (for those cars with Pivi Pro and the Online Pack) as well as a new suite of driver assistance technology, including a Park Assist Pack. What there isn't the option of, sadly, is a V8 engine in the Velar anymore - the 550hp SVAutobiography Dynamic doesn't appear on the latest pricelist. Perhaps not a huge surprise given the 5.0-litre unit's retirement - fun while it lasted, at least. The new HST models that now sit at the top of the Velar range start from £69,865 for the D300 and £73,815 for the P400, with the 2023 car available to order now.
It's a shame to lose the V8, but I guess that's where we are going.
It's a shame to lose the V8, but I guess that's where we are going.
As for HST..... High Speed Train?
As for HST..... High Speed Train?
The ipace is a huge amount of invetsment and seemingly very good, and it's also the same dimensions as a Disco Sport.
Velar vs Ipace is an interesting compariosn: Velar has a better seating position, boot space and ride. There is also a much wider selection of better materials, and the interior is better designed. Yes, there is more space in the rear of an Ipace and instant torque, but that's about it.
This doesn't stop the Ipace from being a very good car, but I don't thing they compete - the reality is many Ipace buyers are doing so via business/salary sacrifice.
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