Calling on history to make a modern point
When you tell your golfing buddies that you’ve just come back from the launch of the Range Rover Velar, they ask, “What sort of name is that?”
A new entry-level Range Rover Velar is set to be the model Kiwi motorists can better afford.
The 2L Velar P250, powered by the latest petrol-fuelled Ingenium engine, will go on sale in New Zealand later this month with a starting price of $114,900 + orc.
That’s $20,000 less than the 3L version and, for the first 35 vehicles sold, it comes with a free R-Design style pack upgrade. The price is expected to be well received; it mirrors the strategy used with the Range Rover Evoque 2L model.
The P250 has similar specifications to the 3L model, with only 100kg difference in the braked towing capacity of 2400kg. Performance-wise, the P250 Velar’s 185kW/365Nm engine accelerates the car from 0-100km in 6.7 seconds and offers up to 6.7L/100km fuel economy.
It won the World Car Design of the Year title at the 2018 World Car Awards, dubbed the most beautifully designed vehicle on the planet.
The RR Velar comes with optional Kvadrat designed seats covered with an environmentally friendly fabric that combines a NZ Merino wool blend with faux suede made from recycled plastic bottles.
The P250 Velar will come standard with the latest in entertainment and safety technology and safety systems that include remote access from the InControl app. This allows the owner to lock and unlock the vehicle, check the fuel tank level or see where the vehicle is parked using a smartphone or smartwatch. It also enables remote engine starts and climate control setting.
And there’s more: SOS Emergency call technology with automatic collision detection and optimised assistance. In an emergency, an SOS call tells the emergency service the vehicle’s location. In the event of a breakdown, optimised assistance transmits a GPS location and diagnostics data to a recovery company.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.