Range Rover Velar Engine Options: Power and Performance
The Range Rover Velar has long been admired for its sleek design and luxurious interior. However, the impressive array of powertrain options sets this mid-size SUV apart. Let’s examine the engine lineup, performance metrics, and efficiency ratings. Whether you’re a performance enthusiast or a fuel economy-conscious driver, the Velar offers a powertrain to suit your needs.
The P250: Entry-Level Excellence
At the entry point of the Range Rover Velar lineup sits the P250 powertrain. This 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged gas engine is a marvel of modern engineering, balancing performance and efficiency.
Key Specifications:
Engine: 2.0L Ingenium four-cylinder turbocharged gas
Power Output: 184 kW (247 hp)
Torque: 365 Nm (269 lb-ft)
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drive System: All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
The P250 engine delivers a responsive driving experience, with enough power to easily handle both urban commutes and highway cruising. Its turbocharged nature ensures that torque is available across a wide rev range, providing quick acceleration when needed.
Performance Metrics:
0-100 km/h: Approximately 7.5 seconds
Top Speed: 217 km/h
While not the most powerful option in the lineup, the P250 offers more than adequate performance for most drivers. Its weightier weight than the six-cylinder options contributes to nimble handling and improved fuel efficiency.
Efficiency:
Combined Fuel Consumption: Approximately 10.0 L/100 km
City Fuel Consumption: 10.9 L/100 km
Highway Fuel Consumption: 8.9 L/100 km
These efficiency figures make the P250 an attractive option for those who prioritize fuel economy but don’t want to sacrifice the luxury and capability of the Range Rover badge.
The P340: Mild Hybrid Power
Stepping up in the range, we find the P340 powertrain, which introduces mild hybrid technology to the Velar lineup. This system pairs a 3.0-litre inline-six engine with a 48V electric supercharger and a belt-integrated starter generator.
Key Specifications:
Engine: 3.0L Ingenium six-cylinder turbocharged gas with MHEV
Power Output: 250 kW (335 hp)
Torque: 480 Nm (354 lb-ft)
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drive System: All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
The P340 mild hybrid system offers several benefits. The electric supercharger provides a near-instantaneous boost, eliminating turbo lag and enhancing low-end torque. Meanwhile, the belt-integrated starter generator allows for smoother stop-start operation and can provide a small power boost during acceleration.
Performance Metrics:
0-100 km/h: Approximately 6.3 seconds
Top Speed: 240 km/h
The P340 offers a significant performance upgrade over the P250, with noticeably quicker acceleration and a higher top speed. The additional power is particularly noticeable during overtaking maneuvers and merging onto highways.
Efficiency:
Combined Fuel Consumption: Approximately 10.7 L/100 km
City Fuel Consumption: 12.1 L/100 km
Highway Fuel Consumption: 9.0 L/100 km
Despite the increase in power, the P340’s mild hybrid technology helps to keep fuel consumption in check. The system can recover energy during deceleration and use it to assist the engine, reducing fuel demand.
The P400: Performance Pinnacle
At the top of the Range Rover Velar engine lineup sits the P400, a high-output version of the 3.0-litre inline-six mild hybrid powertrain.
Key Specifications:
Engine: 3.0L Ingenium six-cylinder turbocharged gas with MHEV
Power Output: 294 kW (395 hp)
Torque: 550 Nm (406 lb-ft)
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drive System: All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
The P400 takes the mild hybrid technology of the P340 and turns up the performance dial. With nearly 400 horsepower on tap, this powertrain transforms the Velar into a genuinely quick SUV that can hold its own against some sports cars.
Performance Metrics:
0-100 km/h: Approximately 5.5 seconds
Top Speed: 250 km/h (electronically limited)
The P400’s acceleration is impressive for a vehicle of its size and weight. The combination of the powerful six-cylinder engine and the instant boost from the electric supercharger results in effortless acceleration across the entire speed range.
Efficiency:
Combined Fuel Consumption: Approximately 11.1 L/100 km
City Fuel Consumption: 12.6 L/100 km
Highway Fuel Consumption: 9.4 L/100 km
Given its performance credentials, the P400’s fuel efficiency is commendable. The mild hybrid system helps to mitigate the increased fuel consumption that typically comes with higher power outputs.
Transmission and All-Wheel Drive
Across all powertrain options, the Range Rover Velar utilizes an 8-speed automatic transmission. This gearbox is known for its smooth shifts and ability to keep the engine in its optimal power band, contributing to performance and efficiency.
The Velar all-wheel-drive system is another key component of its powertrain. It uses Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD) to continuously vary the torque distribution between the front and rear axles, optimizing traction and stability in all driving conditions.
For more challenging off-road situations, the Velar offers Terrain Response 2, which automatically selects the most appropriate driving mode based on the conditions. This system works with the powertrain to ensure optimal performance whether you’re on tarmac, gravel, snow, or mud.
Driving Dynamics
While the powertrain options differ in their output and character, all Velar models share a common trait: refined driving dynamics. The combination of a stiff body structure, adaptive dampers, and optional air suspension allows the Velar to deliver a comfortable ride without sacrificing handling precision.
The P250 model, with its lighter four-cylinder engine, offers the most agile handling of the range. It feels nimble in urban environments and provides crisp turn-ins on winding roads.
While slightly heavier, the six-cylinder P340 and P400 models compensate with their additional power. They offer a more planted feel at high speeds and effortless acceleration for overtaking. The mild hybrid system in these models also contributes to a smoother driving experience, with seamless engine stop-start operation in traffic.
Environmental Considerations
As automotive manufacturers face increasing pressure to reduce emissions, the Range Rover Velar powertrain lineup balances performance and environmental responsibility.
The P250 four-cylinder engine, being the most efficient of the range, produces the lowest CO2 emissions. Its relatively small displacement and advanced turbocharging technology deliver strong performance while minimizing fuel consumption.
The mild hybrid technology in the P340 and P400 models represents a step towards electrification. While not full hybrids or plug-in hybrids, these powertrains can recover energy that would otherwise be lost during deceleration, storing it in a small battery for later use. This system can boost the power during acceleration, allowing the engine to work more efficiently.
Future Developments
Looking ahead, it’s likely that we’ll see further electrification of the Range Rover Velar powertrain lineup. The current mild hybrid technology could evolve into full hybrid or plug-in hybrid systems, offering even greater efficiency and the ability to drive short distances on electric power alone.
There’s also the possibility of a fully electric Velar in the future, as JLR (formerly Jaguar Land Rover) has committed to offering electric powertrains across its range in the coming years.
Range Rover Velar: A Power Train for Every Driver
The Range Rover Velar powertrain lineup offers something for every driver. From the efficient yet capable P250 to the high-performance P400, each option delivers the refinement and capability expected of a Range Rover.
Introducing mild hybrid technology in the six-cylinder models demonstrates JLR’s commitment to improving efficiency without compromising performance. As the automotive landscape continues to evolve, we can expect the Velar powertrain options to adapt, ensuring this stylish SUV remains at the forefront of luxury and technology.
Whether you prioritize fuel efficiency, performance, or balance, the Range Rover Velar diverse powertrain lineup ensures a model to suit your needs. Each option upholds the brand’s reputation for combining luxury with genuine capability, making the Velar a standout choice in the competitive mid-size luxury SUV segment.
