JLR Confirms Velar Name for New Crossover

Jaguar Land Rover Ltd. says it will call its upcoming sporty crossover/SUV the Range Rover Velar, confirming media reports earlier this month.

The coupe-like midsize model will be officially unveiled next month at the Geneva auto show. A teaser image of the vehicle shows a full-length, panoramic sunroof, smooth body lines and what Land Rover describes as “avant garde” styling.

Positioned between the Evoque and higher-end Range Rover Sport, the Velar five-seater will be built on Jaguar’s aluminum-intensive F-Pace platform and compete against the BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and Porsche Macan. JLR boasts that the vehicle will feature “pioneering consumer technology” and “unique” sustainable materials.

The Velar name, which means “veil” or “cover” in Italian, previously was used on 1960s-era Range Rover prototypes. JLR will build the vehicle at its Solihull, England, plant.