That may be true in terms of its size, amenities and target market, but it's also true of the way the sport utility vehicle (SUV) was manufactured. That's because the Velar is the first of the company's Range Rover brand to be built on the company's new lightweight aluminium architecture, also used in the Jaguar F-Pace.

"It brings a new dimension of glamour, modernity and elegance to the brand. The Range Rover Velar changes everything," says Gerry McGovern, Land Rover's Chief Design Officer. The Velar draws its name from the Range Rover prototypes of 1969 and honors the company's creative history, but beyond that the new model is built with the most cutting edge materials and on-board technology available to date.

Those engineering decisions, from the lightweight chassis to the door handle details, are driven by what Land Rover is proud to call reductionism. The Velar aesthetic is all about simplicity and minimalism, in order to create a product that reflects elegant quality instead of complexity while valuing sustainability.

Some elements, like the clamshell hood and tapered glass, are familiar. Yet the differences are there, and begin with a lightweight and stiff aluminium body structure to enhance performance, agility and efficiency, when compared with traditional steel construction, according to the company. The 287.4 centimeter wheelbase, when combined with an interior designed using technology-assisted processes, ensures both a comfortable and roomy interior and deliver an exceptionally large 34.4 cubic foot luggage compartment.

While the streamlined look of the Velar is at home in the city, the Land Rover line always needs to be ready for off-road adventure, so the all-wheel drive and suspension system are standard with enhanced packages available for all-terrain and high elevation challenges. Power train options include a 180HP 2.0-liter aluminium Ingenium diesel 4-cylinder, a 247HP 2.0-liter aluminium Ingenium 4-cylinder, and a 380HP supercharged 3.0-liter gas V6 engine, with each matched to an 8-speed ZF transmission with all-wheel drive standard.

This Range Rover won't quite drive itself yet, but the technology enhancements and innovations support the driver in ways that might make you think it could. The parking systems offer 360-degree views with no blind spots, and precision guidance for the perfect spot. In a similar vein, the 2,500 kilogram towing capacity is supported with Advanced Tow Assist, to partially automate the trailer parking process. There are also technology enhancements for driver condition, braking to avoid collision, lane drift and more.

The biggest difference in the clean and classy Velar interior is the technology integration, featuring Land Rover's new Touch Pro Duo, the latest iteration of the Land Rover InControl® infotainment system. That means there's two 10-inch touchscreens on the dash, a 4G WiFi hotspot and up to 60GB of storage. The dual screens make it easy to use one for navigation, while simultaneously playing media on the other. A rear-set option puts two 8-inch screens in the headrests with all the necessary digital connectivity options. An optional app also allows for locking, mapping, remote start and climate control from your mobile device.

The technology and design are inseparable, though, whether that's in the slender "smart" LED headlights or the door handles. They all contribute to the Velar's elegance, but also help to deliver the aerodynamic superiority and performance of a new and efficient Range Rover driven by innovation.