Land Rover will stop producing the Velar and introduce a new model unlike anything it has built before. The Range Rover GT, revealed this month, marks the brand’s first grand tourer—a four-door electric coupe designed to stand apart in a lineup known for off-road vehicles.
The GT’s debut alongside Jaguar’s Type 01 raised concerns about overlapping customer bases. Land Rover dismissed those concerns, pointing to the platforms as proof of distinct targets.
The GT uses Land Rover’s own platform, not Jaguar’s
The Range Rover GT runs on Land Rover’s Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA), a system built for electric vehicles but adaptable to other powertrains. Ryan Miller, Range Rover’s global product and service marketing director, stated the GT is currently electric but left room for alternatives. “We could add another propulsion system,” he said. “The EMA platforms were designed with EV priority, yet we included provisions for different drivetrains with minor body changes.”
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A petrol, diesel, or hydrogen version might follow, though Miller did not confirm specifics. The Type 01, in contrast, relies on Jaguar’s Jaguar Electric Architecture (JEA), a separate system with no shared components. The difference confirms the two cars aim for different buyers, despite similar shapes.
Miller described the GT’s design as “overt and extremely sexy,” emphasizing style over utility. “It won’t be the best choice for daily use,” he admitted, though some owners would still try. “It’s not meant for a family of five with luggage.” The car’s appeal lies in its appearance rather than versatility.
The GT fills the Velar’s spot without competing with Jaguar
Discontinuing the Velar clarified the GT’s purpose. Land Rover presented it as the fifth Range Rover model, replacing the outgoing one. While the Velar sat between the Range Rover Sport and the full-size Range Rover, the GT will occupy a comparable position—though with a narrower focus.
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That focus doesn’t overlap with Jaguar’s. The Type 01 targets a specific buyer, while the GT aims for a wider audience. Miller’s remarks indicated Land Rover sees the GT as a volume contender in segments led by Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
The GT’s design reinforces this. Its interior, labeled “purity, precision and quiet modernity,” matches the exterior’s minimalist approach. Unlike the Type 01, which highlights Jaguar’s performance roots, the GT maintains Range Rover’s broad capabilities—even if its off-road performance remains untested. Miller acknowledged the EMA platform made the car possible, avoiding trade-offs in refinement or design.
For Land Rover, the GT is a deliberate step away from SUVs while retaining the brand’s identity. More details will follow, but its introduction alone signals a change. It doesn’t just replace the Velar; it redefines what a Range Rover can be.
