JLR to drop Range Rover Evoque and Velar as it reshapes line-up

JLR will discontinue the Range Rover Evoque and Velar later this decade, with no direct replacements planned for either SUV. Both models will remain in production through 2027, according to a report by Autocar UK. Range Rover boss Martin Limpert confirmed to Autocar UK that the two SUVs are nearing the end of their product life cycles, having been on sale for around a decade.

Their exit will leave the upcoming Range Rover GT and Range Rover Sport as two similarly priced entry points to the Range Rover brand, sitting below the full-size Range Rover. However, the two models will cater to different customers, with the GT taking a more road-focused, grand tourer approach and the Sport retaining its SUV format. 

Under JLR’s House of Brands strategy, the new Discovery and Defender Sport models will form the new entry-level line-up at JLR, while the Range Rover will be a much more premium brand within the house of brands.

Range Rover GT to launch in 2027

The Range Rover GT is scheduled to launch in early 2027 as the brand’s first all-electric grand tourer. Unlike the SUVs in the current line-up, it will have a lower, coupe-like profile and a more road-focused design. It will be longer than the standard-wheelbase Range Rover and lower than the Porsche Macan.

The GT will be based on JLR’s electric-first EMA platform and will initially launch as a battery-electric model. JLR has also confirmed that the architecture will support a full hybrid powertrain in the future.

According to Autocar UK, the electric GT is expected to cost around GBP 100,000, while subsequent hybrid versions could bring the starting price down to around GBP 90,000. This would put it close to the current entry price of the Range Rover Sport.

Limpert clarified to Autocar UK that the GT was not developed as a replacement for the Velar. He described it as an original offering that combines a road-focused approach with Land Rover’s off-road capability, adding that the broad development brief of the GT is “testing us”.

Defender and Discovery to cover more affordable segments

The discontinuation of the Evoque and Velar is part of JLR’s House of Brands strategy, which positions Range Rover, Defender and Discovery as separate marques. With Defender and Discovery taking on more affordable segments, Range Rover will concentrate on higher-priced models.

The Discovery Sport will end production in December 2026 after an 11-year run, as we reported earlier. Its exit is expected to free up capacity at the Halewood plant in the UK for the Range Rover GT. The Evoque, which is also built there, is expected to remain in production through 2027, with its eventual exit likely to be timed around the arrival of the Defender Sport.

The upcoming Defender Sport will be positioned as an entry-level model for the Defender brand and will share the GT’s EMA platform and Halewood production line. It is expected to debut next year.

The Evoque helped drive JLR’s growth in the early 2010s, recording annual sales of more than 100,000 units several times during that decade. The model currently starts at Rs 64.86 lakh in India, while the Velar’s price ranges from Rs 81 lakh to Rs 87.5 lakh. Their respective price segments are expected to be covered by future Defender and Discovery models.