Range Rover Velar P400e

Slight retouching on the inside, but above all a new drive, should keep sales of the Range Rover Velar, which has now been built for around four years, brisk. We were on the road with the new plug-in hybrid P400e.

Almost 71.000 euros, that's a lot of money even for a plug-in hybrid, even if such a vehicle, usually used as a company car, only has to be taxed at 0,5 percent. The revised Range Rover Velar is now starting at this price as a plug-in version to be purchased for the first time, with a theoretically 50 kilometers purely electric range. Net, the Briton is well below the 65.000 euro limit, so that the funding of 5.625 euros can still be canceled. 

Much power

But how environmentally friendly can a super powerful Velar P400e with two drives and 404 HP output be? Well, the combustion engine component of the drive train consists of a 2-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, which doesn't sound like too much for a large SUV at first. However, this alone brings it to 221 kW / 300 PS. In addition, there is the electric motor with a further 105 kW / 143 PS, which together results in the eponymous system output of 297 kW / 400 PS.

Fast charging with direct current is planned, which is currently still unusual for PHEV variants. However, high charging capacities can hardly be achieved (20 kW). But in this way the power storage can be filled up to 30 percent within 80 minutes.

Very environmentally friendly for short trips

With its 143 electric horsepower alone, the SUV rolls through city traffic with great ease. The electric top speed is estimated at 140 km / h, so it goes quite quickly on the autobahn and country road. For those who can charge at home and at work, ideally no further than 40 kilometers away, the PHEV is actually a very environmentally friendly solution - such users manage to achieve a decent, purely electric mileage over the life of the vehicle.

Of course, the overall performance tempts you to let the right pedal click above the kickdown pressure point. Then suddenly the backs of the passengers from the force of the thrust are stuck quite firmly in the seat backs. In this case, the 2,2-ton heavyweight 5,4 seconds should be enough up to country road speed - even potent sports cars hardly make that faster, but possibly more sophisticated. You have to get used to the four-cylinder, which sometimes sounds robust here, in the vicinity of a noble SUV. It's good that both engines harmonize quite well with one another in hybrid mode. And the eight-stage machine also does its work largely discreetly.

Modern technology inside

It is hard to believe that the 4,80 meter long, almost exuberantly comfortable Velar should formally belong to the middle class segment. The optional air-sprung all-rounder looks expansive and luxurious, as if it were loosely located one segment above. Fans of modern interior design should like the two razor-sharp displays in the console. The so-called PIVI Pro, a navigation system with some finesse, has recently been working on the upper (electrically tiltable) of the two. It can, for example, memorize frequently driven routes and in this way learn where it is possible to go faster. The interior finish also looks high-quality, even though the test car was not equipped with leather upholstery. The chairs are also comfortable with fabric covers and passengers cannot complain about a lack of space anyway.

In addition, with a trunk volume of 568 liters, a lot of luggage is allowed on board, which brings out its useful side of the Range Rover Velar. He also has a media, with a screen-digital instrument cluster and a head-up display (1.380 euros surcharge), with the full range of information. And the smartphone can of course be integrated via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The undoubtedly attractive Velar alone will not become a mass phenomenon, despite all the subsidies and tax breaks it is too expensive for that. After all, even the base diesel, which is around 11.000 euros cheaper and only half as strong, will remain just a dream for many Land Rover fans.

Technical data

Five-door, five-seat mid-range SUV, length: 4,80 meters, width: 2,04 (with exterior mirrors 2,15) meters, height: 1,68 meters, wheelbase: 2,87 meters, trunk volume: 568 to 1.811 liters
2,0-liter turbo gasoline engine, 221 kW / 300 PS, electric motor: 105 kW / 143 PS, system output: 297 kW / 404 PS, maximum torque: 640 Nm at 1.500 to 4.400 rpm, eight-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, 0 -100 km / h: 5,4 s, Vmax: 209 km / h, average consumption: 2,3 l, CO2 emissions: 52 g / km, efficiency class: A +, emissions standard: Euro 6d
Price: from € 70.943

In brief

Why: because as a PHV it is also a designer piece on wheels
Why not: because the four-cylinder is not appropriate for this class
What else: Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes GLC, Seat Tarraco and Volvo XC 60
When does he come: from now on

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