If you are a scholar of Latin then you will know that the verb velare means to hide or conceal. It’s quite an appropriate word given some of the shenanigans in SA at the moment, but many will not realise just how significant a word it is in the context of the automotive industry, particularly when it comes to SUVs. Way back in the late 1960s, Land Rover decided it wanted to make something a bit special, a more luxurious SUV. It created a prototype and began testing it. That vehicle was called the Velar, a play on the Latin verb. That vehicle became none other than the Range Rover. Since then cars have got more complicated, but now Land Rover has resurrected the name for the fourth Range Rover model and with it comes a reductionist design strategy. What is not reductionist is the level of attitude. For me, the Velar could be the best-looking Range Rover. The front looks like a concept that made it into production with its wide grille that is best-looking in the matte chrome rather th...

Subscribe now to unlock this article.

Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).

There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.

Cancel anytime.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.