Range Rover Velar Autobiography Dynamic Edition Review

The car you see is the Range Rover Velar Special Vehicle Operations Autobiography Dynamic Edition. It is the most powerful version currently on sale, featuring a supercharged V8 under the hood. This relatively understated SUV is Britain’s answer to the BMW X6M and the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupe.

Exterior

The design of the Velar stands out, as it does not resemble its German rivals that often appear out of proportion. The designers have invested time in creating a vehicle that balances sporty appearance with aerodynamic efficiency.

This high-performance version features:

• A different bumper with larger air intakes
• A new grille
• 22-inch gloss grey alloy wheels
• Red brake calipers
• Side cladding
• A revised rear bumper

Although there are many changes, they remain quite subtle.

Interior

In contrast to the exterior, the interior is far from understated. This high-performance version receives the SVR treatment, featuring bright red leather, red paddle shifters, and Alcantara on the pillars and headliner.

The cabin boasts:

• Plenty of piano black trim
• Stunning carbon fiber inserts on the door panels

The design is minimal, facilitated by two 10-inch screens positioned one above the other and three physical knobs. These dynamic knobs control various functions:

• Temperature and fan speed in the A/C menu
• Seat heating and cooling in seat options
• Drive modes in drive selection

Space in the back is tight but still better than its German rivals, thanks to the Velar's relatively straight roof. The seats recline, and rear passengers enjoy:

• Cupholders
• Their own A/C controls for fan speed, temperature, and airflow

This high-performance version is well-equipped, featuring:

• 20-way power-adjustable front seats that are heated, cooled, and massaged
• A 17-speaker Meridian sound system
• A panoramic roof
• Drive assist features such as Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-and-go technology, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring

Drive

While it looks good and is built well, the driving dynamics are the focus of this car. The Velar is powered by a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces:

• 550 horsepower
• 680 Nm of torque

The Velar zooms from a standstill to 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 275 km/h. Its handling is exceptional, making it feel like a sports car beneath its SUV exterior. The throaty exhaust note adds to the muscle car experience.

Additionally, Land Rover provides various drive modes, including sand mode, mud mode, a locking rear differential, and low traction launch.

Verdict

If you have read this far, then you know that this is not just any Velar. It is a special SUV, and with the designers and engineers' efforts, I expected it to cost between 550,000 to 600,000 Dirhams. However, this vehicle is priced at just 480,000 Dirhams. It may still seem like a significant amount, but it feels worth it!