Image: from Margie X@BirungiMargret5
By Open Chronicle Staff
GAYDON, United Kingdom — Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is preparing to tear up the SUV rulebook. Fresh reports from the company’s internal roadmap reveal that the next-generation Range Rover Velar will not just undergo a powertrain swap, but a total metamorphosis into a “genre-bending” electric vehicle designed to take on the likes of the Porsche Macan EV and the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron.
The new model, expected to be officially unveiled later this year, marks a significant departure from the current Velar’s high-riding silhouette. Industry insiders and recent prototype sightings suggest a lower-slung, “wagon-like” profile that channels the spirit of the long-rumored “Road Rover” concept, a vehicle optimized for road performance and aerodynamic efficiency rather than pure off-road crawling.
A New Architecture for a New Era
The upcoming Velar replacement will hold the distinction of being the first vehicle built on JLR’s highly anticipated Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA). Unlike the flagship Range Rover EV, which utilizes a flexible platform shared with combustion models, the EMA is a dedicated “EV-first” foundation.
This shift allows for radical packaging changes. Sources indicate the new Velar will feature an elongated wheelbase and a “unique” silhouette that blurs the lines between a traditional SUV, a shooting brake, and a high-end sedan. The lower ride height is a strategic move to boost range, expected to exceed 300 miles, by slicing through the air more effectively than a standard boxy SUV.
The “Unique” Mid-Size Contender
JLR Finance Chief Richard Molyneux recently teased the vehicle during an investor call, describing it as a “unique” addition to the lineup that will slot between the compact Evoque and the full-sized Range Rover Sport. While the “Velar” name may be retained to leverage its existing luxury equity, the vehicle itself represents a clean-slate approach to the mid-size segment.
Inside, the cabin is expected to follow a minimalist, ultra-luxury theme, potentially incorporating Nvidia’s AI-driven software to offer “Level 2+” autonomous driving features. This “eyes-on, hands-off” capability would allow the vehicle to manage highway steering, braking, and acceleration autonomously on compatible roads.
Manufacturing and Strategy
Production is slated for JLR’s Halewood plant in the UK, which has seen a £500 million investment to transition into an all-electric production hub. The new Velar is expected to arrive in showrooms by late 2026, spearheading a massive EV offensive that will eventually include electric versions of the Evoque and the Defender.
As the current Velar prepares for its sunset, this “Road Rover” successor signals JLR’s realization that the future of luxury travel isn’t just about going anywhere, it’s about how elegantly and efficiently you get there.