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  • CAR REVIEW | Range Rover Velar R Dynamic HSE D300

    CAR REVIEW | Range Rover Velar R Dynamic HSE D300

    ★★★★☆ | Range Rover Velar R Dynamic HSE D300

    What Have We Got?

    We have a puzzler this week. This is Range Rover’s mid-sized concept-cum-cross over that fits between the Evoque and Range Rover Sport. The puzzler is that the Velar is quite large in the visuals and dimensions. 

     

    Driving

    It’s a silky blend of driving styles. The 3-litre V6 diesel pushes out 300hp at 4000rpm. 700nm of torque is from 1500rpm. From a standing start, it will thunder the slippery shaped Velar to 60 in 6.1 seconds. To be honest, it feels quicker and there is grunt available from whatever speed. 

    Sport mode, comfort or economy, throttle response is quick. There is no hunting for a gear or waiting for the ECU to decide what to do with the EGR valve etc. Quick rapid progress is one of the key features of the Velar. 

    The Velar shares a platform with the Jaguar F-Pace and yet feels better planted, better poised on the road and all the more fun. The AWD system puts the power down more evenly around the vehicle. 

     

    Inside

    The layout is all familiar with the Range Rover Sport we reviewed in 2017. Touch screens for the controls split on to 2 screens. There are 2 buttons. The stop-start, hidden by the facia panel and another on the centre console that hides a cup holder. This button does not work with the fluidity of the rest of the Velar’s interior.

    Other than that, it is well thought out. The seats have so many bits that move, that it is impossible to get uncomfortable and there is space for everyone, even the tallest of both drivers or passengers or both.  

    Living With It

    Sheer size doesn’t translate to bulk on the move. The Velar is reasonably agile on its air ride and easy to navigate around country lanes. Thankfully this model came with the 360-degree angle camera pack and I can’t recommend it enough, especially when parking in tight spots like supermarkets or your own driveway where someone has decided to park their car like it’s the largest car in the world.

    The Verdict

    I was unsure of the Velar at first. I couldn’t make up my mind if I liked them or not. Its sleek looks lack the blunt Range Rover bulk but this doesn’t distract from it. You could call it a ‘designed’ Range Rover Sport. It certainly doesn’t feel any cheaper than the top model. But that isn’t necessarily a good thing. 

    Its road manners are rather exemplary and it lacks the wobble of the Range Rover Sport. This alone makes the Velar more big estate car than SUV or cross over but this is what it is, a cross over and it does it all very well. Dare I say it, I liked the Sport and all that it stood for, I like the Velar more. It’s just, the Velar, this Velar, is expensive. Range Rover Sport price expensive.  

    Love

    Smoothness of engine

    Fit and finish

    Ride

    Loathe

    Price

    Cup holder cover

    Plastics around dashboard 

    The Lowdown

    Car –  Range Rover Velar R Dynamic HSE D300

    Price – £73,330 (as tested)

    MPG – 44.1mpg (combined)

    Power – 300hp

    0-62mph –  6.1 seconds

    Top Speed –  150 mph

    Co2 – 167 (g/km)

  • THEGAYUK Motoring Honours List for 2019

    THEGAYUK Motoring Honours List for 2019

    2019 Motoring New Years Honours List

    2018 was quite a year for THEGAYUK motoring section. Two new contributors, Mark and Damien have joined and car choice from us, I hope, managed to whet your motoring appetites and curiosities. I think it is safe to say that 2019 will be an even bigger year so thanks for sticking with us.

    And so to my top three with an extra and that extra is my “almost ran”. That accolade goes to the Volvo XC60 Momentum Pro. It really was a car that did everything and impressed, was a great place to navigate the world from and what’s more, it’s a Volvo. There are no pretensions to the brand. It is Volvo.

    Now what I have noticed over the past years of doing my New Years Honours list is that this section seems to be the car that I would spend my own money on. So this is it, if it was my money, this is what I would buy. Well done Volvo.

    And so to my top 3 for 2019

    3) MG3.

    This might come as a bit of a shock to you, considering I wasn’t overly kind and awarded the little hopeful only 2 stars.

    I still stand by those two stars but only because of the engine. Take it outside of its comfort zone and it shows up as quite a rough unit with lacklustre performance. That said, use the MG3 with its 7-year warranty as a daily commute with a sporting look and in the stop-start traffic you’ll be stuck in, you’ll appreciate it as a device to keep you dry. And to be fair, it’s not an uncomfortable place to be in.

    2) Range Rover Sport

    This one shocked me. I wasn’t going to gush over the £75k Chelsea tractor but here it is, number two on my list. And why? Because it made you feel great. Land Rover has a following and despite the various quality issues they have from time to time, their followers are loyal to the core of the product. They feel good. A bit “not quite German” but with a passion built into the product.

    And it’s that passion that comes across in the way they make you feel. Add to that the confidence it has to go anywhere in the world, with 4 of your best mates, in luxury and comfort and you can see why I fell for it, hook, line and sinker.

    1) Honda Civic Type R

    What can I say about Honda’s road rocket that hasn’t already been said in my review and all the others who have also given the Civic Type R their accolade of the best hot hatch, best fast car, best all-around fast family car, phenomenal shopping shuttle, Practical hatchback. You get the gist. It is a great all-rounder.

    Speaking of rounder, you will eventually curb one of the black alloys that sit on band thin 20 walled tyres. And you will only want to put good tyres on it. That might detract from its running costs because chances are, if you are not respectful to its performance, you’ll go through those tyres pretty darn quick.

    But what a car. It has the performance to match supercars and pop you to the local curry house for take away.

    And there we go, that’s my top three. Don’t forget to comment in the box below or e mail me via the site. And above all, happy motoring into the new year of 2019. Let’s see what else is out there.

  • CAR REVIEW | Range Rover Sport SVD6

    CAR REVIEW | Range Rover Sport SVD6

    ★★★★☆ | Range Rover Sport SVD6

    Weak At The Knees In More Ways Than One

    Range Rover Sport SVD6 review

    What Have We Got?

    Land Rovers vast luxury Range Rover Sport SDV6. Once again, Land Rover has moved the Range Rover further up the luxury bracket which means this isn’t some fancy farm yard vehicle. This is a proper bonafide people carrying 4×4 with proven 4×4 credentials.

    But is it any good as an everyday carrier of people and load?  

    Driving

    Despite its big looks, it is surprisingly easy to drive. On paper at least, the 3-litre turbo diesel has a modest 306 bhp and yet the high 700 Nm of torque from 1500rpm feels quite lethargic in getting it going. It’s not a slouch by any means with a 0-60 time of 6.8 seconds, it just feels like it because it isolates you from the drivetrain so well. 

    When the going gets bumpy, this model also benefits from some impressive damping. The ride remained composed. There was some lurch as expected but it’s much less than you would think there would be despite what height you set the ride at.

    Inside

    For all of its exterior presence, it has an interior that matches. Big and bold with some nice touches in ergonomics and some appalling trim. 

    The twin infotainment screen is nice and when on, disguises greasy fingerprints quite well. You just need to keep the roof blind closed to enjoy it in the sun. It’s more reflective than I would like. 

    The leather coverings on the doors could have been a little bit better, though this was minor compared to the silver trim that ran down the side of the centre console. An unsavoury mould line left a sharp edge protruding that would rub against my bare knee.  

    Living With It

    All I will say is, pick your supermarket parking space wisely! It doesn’t feel as big as it looks to drive so you’ll find it cumbersome in the carpark. 

    It will seat five, though anyone sitting in the middle of the rear won’t feel the love with the drop-down armrest digging in their back. 

    It has the ability to travel ground so effortlessly that motorway driving would be a doddle. It would be if it was fitted with adaptive cruise control. One thing I struggle to get my head around is with all the safety features fitted to this premium 4×4, adaptive cruise is an option. It’s an option that should be standard.

    The Verdict

    I tried not to be swayed by the glamour of the thing but l failed. It took about three miles into my first drive to be in love with it. I didn’t even compile a good and bad list after the first initial run. 

    It’s not perfect though. There are a few niggles I have like trim quality and a suspension system that at times decides to go in too low overnight. That said it does make you feel like the king of the castle and you can see why people go back to buy another.

    Love

    Relaxing cabin

    Ride

    Door architecture

    Loathe

    Hate myself for loving it too much

    Sharp-edged trim

    Lack of adaptive cruise

    The Lowdown

    Car –  Range Rover Sport SVD6

    Price – £78,095 (as tested)

    MPG – 40.4mpg (combined)

    Power – 306bhp

    0-62mph –  6.8 seconds

    Top Speed –  140 mph

    Co2 – 185 (g/km)

  • CAR REVIEW | Range Rover Evoque Convertible

    Range Rover Evoque Convertible

    You don’t really associate Land Rover with wind-in-the-hair motoring unless you’re a farmer with a Defender 110. Sadly for the farming industry, the Defender was pulled from the production lines in 2016 and as of yet there is no serious replacement.

    For those needing an open aired Land Rover, there is always the Range Rover Evoque convertible. Admittedly it isn’t as rugged as the old defender and with prices from £53,000, you’re also not likely to throw a poorly sheep into its leather covered upholstered cabin either. In actual fact, you’ll be glad this isn’t as rugged as an old Defender. I’ve been wanting to test one of these since I saw it so come on Barbie, let’s go party!

    OK, let us be honest, no one is seriously going to buy one of these for the day to day running of a farm. If you yourself are however looking for a 4 seater SUV styled car with a missing roof then this could be the car for you. In fact, it’s not exactly got much competition. Come to think of it there isn’t much out there at all in the drop-top segment except roof chopped hatchbacks from the Germans. So the Range Rover Evoque wins. Put the roof down, let’s go home.

    Not so fast. This still has to please the buyer. Ask a group of road testers and this single car will divide a group. Call it Marmite if you will, you’ll either love it or hate it. There doesn’t seem to be any in-betweens. I am happy to say that this tester, in particular, was pleased as punch with it. I rather liked it. Actually, I liked it a lot.

    For a start, it is a full convertible. Press the button and everything overhead disappears into the boot area leaving just the windscreen in front of you. Everything else is gone. Annoyingly all the windows disappear too. I’ve never worked out why manufacturers think we all want the windows down when the roof comes off? Range Rover has thoughtfully given us a switch to override all the window buttons and make the main switch lift or raise all the windows in one go.

    On the open road with the roof down not only does it open the cabin to the elements but also your senses. I’d forgotten how you suddenly hear everything around you. It’s like driving with your hearing turned to 11. Your senses will also pick up on on the dynamic change of the vehicle when compared to its hardtop sibling. Its over two tons of weight are evident though, not without good reason. There is thankfully very little scuttle shake.

    Suddenly I noticed that the buffering over the shoulder you get from most convertibles was missing. Any car that has a roof missing often results in a cold draft coming over you from behind. On a hot day, it is quite cooling. On a day like our test day, it wouldn’t have been. It was cold and wet. In actual fact, it was VERY wet. The small wind deflector did a good job.

    Cabin controls are nicely laid out and it didn’t take long to work out where the heated seat and heated steering wheel buttons were.

    Along with the more than adequate heating and all its vents, it was easy to drive with the top down in the coldness. This was a great comfort for what happened next.

    NEXT: What happens when you drive in the rain?