If you live in England and have done well financially, you might drive a Range Rover. Not only because they are stylish and drive well, but perhaps also because they are made in England and represent good English taste?
In the post-Brexit era, I have seen an increase in flags along the roads between towns here in Hertfordshire. In particular, the use of St. George's Cross has taken off. The flag with a red cross on a white background is controversial. Many believe it symbolizes nationalism and resistance to foreign immigration. But it also represents English identity and values.
JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) is owned by Indian Tata groupAccording to SMMT.co.uk The Land Rover brand (with Range Rover) is in 14th place among new car registrations in the UK so far this year. I can't think of any other car brand that represents English identity and values as well.
The cars are produced in SolihullOther car brands with production in England are Nissan og Stellantis. Minis new electric cars are being made in China – not in England, as initially planned. Rolls Royce og Bentley are produced in England and one could say that these car brands also express English values, but they are only reserved for a small group of wealthy car buyers and for representation purposes.
Large Range Rover models also appeal to wealthy buyers. In my daughter's neighborhood, the less models, such as Range Rover Evoque og velar. They are expensive, but still within the budget of many. Evoque and Velar are not as popular in Norway. Here at home, many people only associate Range Rover with the largest model.
Range Rover Evoque
Evoque is a compact Range Rover with short front and rear overhangs. It was put into production in 2011 as a 2012 model year with a minor facelift in 2016. The model received a makeover in 2018 with, among other things, softer lines than its predecessor. For the 2024 model year it received a facelift with changes to the front and Range Rover's new minimalist interior without physical buttons. The most interesting variant for Norway is probably P300e with a rechargeable hybrid drivetrain with a 1.5 liter 3-cylinder engine on the front wheels and an electric motor in the rear transaxle. According to the Tax Administration's list prices, the compact SUV cost 1.032.950 kroner in 2025.
Range Rover Velar
velar is in my opinion the most beautiful of all the models in the Range Rover model range. It is a low-built SUV – so-called Crossovers – with the same design language as Range Rover's large models. It is offered with an expanded range of engines, including V6 and V8 engines from Jaguar. Velar was introduced in the spring of 2017 and went into production the same summer as the 2018 model year. You can choose between gasoline, gasoline PHEV or MHEV and diesel. In terms of price, cars with the rechargeable hybrid drivetrain are the most affordable in Norway. The P400e consists of a 2.0 liter gasoline engine and an electric motor – both located in the front. The power from both engines is delivered through the same drive solution that the other engine options use – namely an 8-speed automatic transmission from ZF and 4-wheel drive. In the most affordable version, the Velar P400e cost NOK 1.268.950 in 2025.
New electric models
JLR's Norwegian website mentions an electric version of the Range Rover full-size model. According to British sources, electric models will not be ready for production until the end of 2026 due to an extended testing period. Possible effects of Trump's tariffs are also cited as a reason for waiting for the start of production.
The first models to get an electric powertrain are the Range Rover full-size model and the Velar. Both will use JLR's proprietary EMA (Electric Modular Architecture) platform. The Evoque will also be available in an all-new version with an electric powertrain later in 2027 - likely as a 2028 model year.
It is expected that the production of the new electric models will be coordinated with the opening of Tata Group's new giga battery factory in Bridgwater, SomersetThis is a major investment that is scheduled for completion in 2026/2027. As is known, Tata owns JLR – and the battery factory's primary purpose is to supply its own car production with batteries.
Feedback
In feedback from owners of Range Rover Evoque Problems with 2.0 Ingenium diesel engines are mentioned. Common problems are related to DPF, timing chain/tensioners and electronics. Owners of Range Rover Velar reports problems with the air suspension (reserved for cars with V6 and V8). Electronics problems are also mentioned. Otherwise, the owners are satisfied with the cars' driving characteristics and design. A search through more than 100 Norwegian car ads reveals no major repairs. I found that one Evoque owner had his 9-speed automatic transmission overhauled by ZF as an insurance claim.
Not all English tastes are created equal
My daughter has launched a plan to change the interior of their English house to Scandinavian style. This includes replacing thick shaggy carpets with laminate parquet. In recent days, I have changed the floor surfaces on an entire floor. Finer English homes are equipped with deep carpets with a soft felt underlayment a centimeter thick. Underneath this is the raw floor from the construction period, trampled down by dirty boots, building dust and the occasional crushed cigarette packet. It is strange how cold the floor dividers in English brick houses feel. It is said that the English prefer wall-to-wall carpet to provide warmth. But a properly laid wooden floor with a polyethylene underlay retains the interior heat better against the cold raw floor than carpets. It is also more hygienic, easier to keep clean – and more beautiful. Good taste, that is – seen from Scandinavian eyes, not English ones 🙂
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