Coupe-Like Range Rover to Revive Velar Name

Jaguar Land Rover Ltd. plans to call its upcoming coupe-styled midsize crossover/SUV the Velar, Autocar reports.

Due to be unveiled next month at the Geneva auto show, the all-new five-seater will be built on Jaguar’s aluminum-intensive F-Pace platform and slotted into Land Rover's lineup between the Range Rover Sport and smaller Evoque. The model will compete with the BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and Porsche Macan.

The Velar name, which means “veil” or “cover” in Italian, previously was used on 1960s-era Range Rover prototypes. The new model initially was codenamed Evoque XL.

A range of 4- and 6-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines will be offered. Initially the V-6 mills will be sourced from Ford, as currently is the case, but Autocar says JLR likely will switch to its own 3.0-liter powerplants as they are launched. A hybrid-electric variant also is expected.