What's all this about?
It's a Widebody styling kit for the Range Rover Velar, a 16-piece item fashioned out of PUR-R-RIM (polyurethane reinforced reaction injection moulding) and carbon-fibre reinforced plastic by German firm Startech (www.startech.de), which is part of the Brabus Group. This visual addendum for the mid-sized British SUV will be displayed for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show.
Can you just outline precisely what's included in the Startech kit?
Up front, there's an all-new bumper that replaces the standard item in its entirety. The Startech bumper has socking great air intakes, plus integrated daytime running lights and a front spoiler. Then you can't miss the wheel arch extensions, which not only add 60mm to the Velar's overall width but which allow for the fitment of some ginormous 22-inch Startech Monostar five double-spoke, black-finish alloys with a centre-lock hub-cover look and 295/35 Continental tyres. At the back, there's a rear bumper insert that looks like a diffuser, while the exhausts get different finishers.
Is that everything? Is it just a visual update?
No, there are a few more modifications. The Startech Sound Xtra module is a noise synthesiser that can make any four-pot or V6 petrol or diesel Velar sound like it is toting a petrol V8. Also, Startech works on the Range Rover's air suspension module to lower the SUV by 30mm, which - along with the mammoth tyres - should at least mean the handling of the Startech Velar is a little bit sharper than the factory vehicles. You can also opt for bespoke leather and/or Alcantara upholstery, while Startech offers aluminium footrest and pedal upgrades, plus a selection of wood and carbon-fibre trim finishers for the cabin. Thus, Velar owners can make their SUV more individual with the Startech Widebody kit and a load of interior goodies.
Matt Robinson - 2 Mar 2018