Range Rover Velar successor set to debut as electric SUV with hybrid option

The successor to the Range Rover Velar will debut with an electric powertrain within the next six months, according to Autocar UK. A hybrid powertrain option will follow at a later date. The company states that the new model is designed to offer future flexibility through a full hybrid electric vehicle propulsion system.

Key Highlights

• Range Rover Velar successor to debut as an electric vehicle within six months.
• Hybrid powertrain option will be added after the initial electric launch.
• Both the new Velar and Defender Sport will use JLR's Electrified Modular Architecture platform.
• Technical details on battery size and hybrid system remain undisclosed.
• New models will compete with the Mercedes GLC, BMW X3, and Volvo XC60.

Design and Market Context

Test mules of the upcoming SUV have been seen abroad with a sleeker, more rakish profile than traditional Land Rover and Range Rover SUVs. The roofline slopes sharply downward at the rear, ending in a small, saloon-style deck. The new model will compete with the Mercedes GLC, BMW X3, and Volvo XC60, as well as their respective electric versions.

Global demand for electric luxury vehicles has slowed, leading several manufacturers, including Aston Martin, Bentley, Lotus, and Porsche, to delay or reduce their electrification plans. The launches of flagship Jaguar and Range Rover electric vehicles have also been postponed, with companies waiting for demand to increase.

Technical Details and Platform Information

Technical specifications for the electric version of the new Velar are not yet confirmed. Reports suggest it may use 800V hardware, similar to what is planned for the upcoming Range Rover Electric. This would enable rapid charging speeds comparable to the fastest-charging electric vehicles available. It is also uncertain whether the new model, expected to be about 4.8 metres long like the current Velar, will use the same 118 kWh battery pack as the larger Range Rover EV.

The Range Rover Electric's MLA platform was designed from the start to be modular, with space for an internal combustion engine drivetrain in the chassis. However, it remains to be seen if a similar battery capacity can be accommodated in the EMA-based Velar successor, given its smaller wheelbase. The batteries for the new electric models will be supplied by Tata's Agratas from a new gigafactory in Somerset.

Upcoming Models and Powertrain Options

The new Range Rover Velar replacement and the upcoming baby Defender, expected to be called the Defender Sport, will both use JLR's Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) platform. This platform was originally conceived as an electric-only architecture. However, it will be re-engineered to support hybrid vehicles, allowing JLR to offer more choices across its portfolio. The Defender Sport is expected to be revealed in 2027 and will also offer both hybrid and electric powertrain options.

This move marks a return to JLR's earlier plan to make the EMA a multi-fuel platform. The hybrid powertrain is described as a unique new addition to JLR's internal combustion engine portfolio. JLR acknowledges that there is still global demand for combustion engine-based drivetrains. 

Also Read: Land Rover updates Discovery Range for 2026 with new Landmark Edition

CarBike 360 Says

The upcoming Range Rover Velar successor signals a pivotal shift in Jaguar Land Rover’s electrification roadmap, blending modern luxury with sustainable mobility. With an all-electric powertrain at its core and a hybrid alternative in development, the model aims to cater to evolving market demands while retaining its premium appeal. This strategic transition is expected to redefine the Velar’s identity in the competitive luxury SUV segment.