'The Velar has a glamour, modernity and elegance that is unrivalled.'

The all-new Range Rover Velar has been revealed ahead of its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week. Autocar UK caught up with Gerry McGovern who heads up the design team responsible for the new Range Rover

Why haven’t you previewed the Velar with a public showing of a concept car?
“Since the success of the Evoque, we have far greater control of our destiny. We’ve proved our masterplan can work and we’re in a hurry to prove that point.”

When did you start work on the Velar?
“The concept was created three years ago and has changed very little since. When a car is right, you know it, and you just have to wait for the right time.”

Why is now the right time?
“We are on a roll and this is the next step in our journey of transformation. We’re making a transition from a specialist brand to a bigger brand, but that doesn’t mean we’ll ever be generalist. Whatever we do must have great design and engineering [at its core]. Our vehicles must be compelling. The Velar has a glamour, modernity and elegance that is unrivalled.”

Who will buy the Velar?
“It’s a new type of Range Rover for a new type of customer. The Evoque put us into a white space that was new for us and our rivals. The Velar is the same — perhaps not in terms of size and price, but it is unique in other ways. We are stretching our brand.”

The Velar is another ‘lifestyle’-focused launch. Why haven’t you shown a new Defender yet?
“You can’t run an industrial powerhouse for the traditionalist. We need to establish a viable industrial and financial footprint before we can create a viable Defender for the future. Once we’re making money, we can afford to invest in a whole new Defender family. We don’t have to be supported by heritage. Our job should always be about looking forward and being relevant in a changing world.”