Skip advert
Advertisement

Range Rover Velar SVR spied – watch out Alfa Stelvio Quadrifoglio

Land Rover’s sleek mid-sizer to get a flagship performance variant, but will it be able to rival the best performance SUVs?

Land Rover has been spotted testing a Range Rover Velar with the design hallmarks of a flagship SVR performance model. The Velar is currently the best-handling Range Rover yet (although that’s hardly saying much), so is this finally a Range Rover that’ll be able to rival star performance SUVs like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio and Porsche Macan Turbo for driving pleasure?

Advertisement - Article continues below

Unlike those rivals, though, we suspect that the Velar will go the whole hog and include a supercharged V8 engine with over 500bhp, matching the Alfa and properly trouncing the new Macan Turbo’s 2.9-litre turbocharged V6. Further evidence of its likely V8 powertrain is its use in the new Jaguar F-Pace SVR, a model that shares its basic chassis with the Velar.

> Click here for our review of the Range Rover Sport SVR

Styling changes look to follow the SVR template already applied to the Range Rover Sport, so expect a combination of larger cooling intakes, new 22-inch wheels and a more aggressive rear valance peppered with four chunky exhaust outlets. The test vehicle also appears to sit lower than a standard Velar, likely featuring re-tuned air-suspension to try to improve its body control compared to the standard model.

There will likely be plenty of changes inside, too, with the smooth, glassy finish of the Velar’s dash peppered with new carbonfibre trim, combined with racier seats and new colour combinations.

The current Range Rover Sport SVR features a 575bhp version of the 5-litre supercharged V8, but thanks to the Sport’s substantial weight and size, we expect this Velar SVR to be even faster, despite its likely reduction in power in line with the Jaguar F-Pace SVR.

The Velar SVR will hit the road next year where it’ll have plenty of hot SUV rivals to battle it out against, including the aforementioned Alfa Romeo and Porsche, and the AMG GLC63 S and incoming BMW X3M.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Range Rover Electric testing continues in Dubai
Range Rover Electric testing Dubai
News

Range Rover Electric testing continues in Dubai

The first all-electric version of the long-serving flagship approaches, with client reservations beginning in 2025
28 Nov 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

From 2025 your new performance car might cost over £5k to tax
Car tax 2025
News

From 2025 your new performance car might cost over £5k to tax

Audi's RS6, Lamborghini Revuelto, Mercedes-AMG GT... any car producing more than 255g/km of C02 will be hit by a rise in vehicle excise duty from Apri…
11 Dec 2024
The BMW M3 is going electric – here’s our first look
Electric BMW M3 test mules
News

The BMW M3 is going electric – here’s our first look

The next M3 supersaloon is receiving a pure-electric powertrain, and new images offer our very first glimpse…
12 Dec 2024
2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed theme announced
McLaren Solus GT
News

2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed theme announced

The theme for the 2025 Festival of Speed will be ‘The Winning Formula – Champions and Challengers’, celebrating motorsport’s innovators from F1’s 75 y…
11 Dec 2024