Range Rover Velar coming to India at 78.8 lakh starting price

The Range Rover Velar will be launched in India early next year, Jaguar Land Rover has announced, with deliveries beginning at the end of January 2018.

The Velar plugs the gap in Land Rover's range of Range Rover SUVs, being bigger than the Evoque but smaller than the Sport.

Prices will start at Rs78.83 lakh for the 2.0-litre diesel and 2.0-litre petrol versions. There will also be a third, more expensive engine option - a 3.0-litre diesel.

The Velar will compete with the BMW X5 and X6, Mercedes-Benz GLC and GLE, and Audi Q5.

Rohit Suri, president and managing director, Jaguar Land Rover India, said, ''The new Range Rover Velar is a symbol of sophisticated design, well-crafted interior, innovative features and technologies, backed by powerful and efficient powertrains. We are extremely delighted to bring the highly awaited and one of the most desirable SUV that many of our customers are looking forward to own and drive.''

The 2.0-litre diesel produces a maximum power of 177bhp; the 2.0-litre petrol produces 247bhp and the 3.0-litre diesel 296bhp. Land Rover said that the Velar will be offered with a ''compelling list of standard features with highly customisable options to provide a modernistic approach towards vehicle personalisation for a new Range Rover customer.''

Earlier this week, Land Rover launched its top-of-the-line Range Rover Autobiography by SVO Bespoke. Designed and engineered by the Bespoke Division of its Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) - Land Rover's centre for limited edition and personalised vehicles – it is priced at Rs2.8 crore.

''Based on model year 2017 of the Range Rover Autobiography, only five highly individualised examples have made their way into India,'' the company said in a statement. Buyers get a choice of special bespoke exterior paint, Gloss Kalahari Veneer, executive rear seating and Autobiography interior colour combination.

There are two engine options - the 4.4-litre V8 diesel or the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol. Bespoke customers can choose to order either directly through their retailer or via an appointment at the Bespoke commissioning facility near Coventry in Warwickshire, UK.