Large, luxurious, and very serious, the first generation CL was also an SEC and S during its life. While Mercedes-Benz played the Nineties naming games with its lineup, the W140 soldiered on in two-door format as a last-of for a top-tier Mercedes coupe.
The W140 500 SEC and 600 SEC were introduced in 1992 globally as successor to the C126 (that’s coupe) variant of the legendary W126 S-Class. We’ve covered C126 previously in both standard and cocaine-inspired AMG variants, but never a W126. Look for it in a future Rare Rides Icons.
Both versions of the W140 were penned by Bruno Sacco late in 1987, during the middle of his career at Mercedes. Sacco was lead designer at Benz between 1975 and 1999. With the W140, he brilliantly continued the pillarless hardtop styling of the C126. Two models of SEC were initially available: The 500 used a 5.0-liter V8 that produced 320 horsepower, while the top-drawer 600 SEC had a V12. The most expensive car Mercedes produced at the time, it used a 6.0-liter engine that produced 394 horsepower and rocketed the coupe to 60 in 6.1 seconds. The 600 SEC was incredibly exclusive, and fittingly asked $132,000 in 1992. Adjusted for inflation that figure comes to an eye-watering $262,000. V12 models were identifiable almost solely via their V12 badges on the C-pillar and the 600 on the back.
The range expanded into other models over the years, as a less expensive 4.2-liter V8 was an option in some markets. On the other end of the spectrum, AMG models used larger and more powerful V12 engines of 6.0, 6.9, and even 7.3 liters. That largest engine allowed the CL 73 AMG a top speed of 199 miles per hour and was the engine Pagani chose to power the Zonda of the 2000s. Standard Mercedes-issued coupes were all limited by German tradition to 155 mph. A considerable number of horses were required to motivate the CL, since in any trim it weighed at least 4,500 pounds, and weighed about 4,900 pounds with a 12-cylinder lump upfront. All cars used a four- or five-speed automatic dependent on model year.
In 1994 the SEC moniker that Mercedes used for decades was replaced by an S, as the S 500 Coupe and S 600 Coupe more closely identified with their sedan sibling. It was a temporary measure though, as for the model year 1997 in Europe and 1998 in North America the S was swapped for CL, and the CL-Class was born. Models were then CL 500, CL 600, and so on. The car underneath changed little over the years, as Mercedes used their best build quality, materials, and technology in their halo coupe.
The W140 coupe was offered through 1999 in Europe and 2000 in North America, at which point it was replaced by the W215 CL-Class. The second CL was based upon the new W220 S-Class sedan. The W215 was noteworthy, as it was Bruno Sacco’s final design for Mercedes. Both the W215 and its 2007 successor (C216) were more modern, full of even more technology, much more complicated, and as a consequence has aged more poorly over the years. Both second and third-gen CLs can be found commonly on high-quality internet content like “You Can Get All This $200,000 Mercedes Coupe For $15,000 You Guys Like and Subscribe,” but the W140 SEC and CL have escaped such an undignified fate. Their quality, non-bling appearance, and limited production (26,022 total) have kept them under the radar.
Shortly before the end of its production, Mercedes offered a final run trim on the W140 CL which they creatively called Final Edition. Said special edition seems to be an “all options as standard” version of the CL 500, and in this instance pairs a nice navy metallic paint to a black interior, with sporty AMG-adjacent monoblock wheels. A testament to its build quality, today’s CL has traveled over 164,000 miles and looks brand new. Located in Spain, the future classic asks $15,235.
[Images: Mercedes-Benz]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
Related
For GREAT deals on a new or used Cadillac check out Ghent Cadillac TODAY!
The new Playmobil version follows the lines of the standard DB5 to the last detail. It gets iconic round headlights, eye-catching grille, a perfectly shaped body in beaming silver, and numerous special features. It is also customized with special gadgets from Q.
And yes, it even comes with the famous ejector seat that can be triggered by pressing the exhaust pipes.
Other elements inspired by the movie car will include: triple rotating number plates at the front and back, retractable bulletproof armored bulkhead behind the rear window, and extendable ramming horns on the bumper. The headlights also get retractable machine guns – just like the real DB5.
For those of you whom do not have millions in your account, but still love the Aston Martin DB5
The car measures 38.5 cm (15 inches) in length, 9.4 cm (3.7 inches) in height and 28.4 cm (11.1 inches) in width.
It will also be offered with four character figures: James Bond 007, as well as Goldfinger, Oddjob and another henchman.
The most off-road friendly luxury SUV in the segment
The 2020 Range Rover Velar is offered in three trims – Velar, R-Dynamic, and SVAutobiography Dynamic.
In total, the model is offered with four different engine options. First up, there’s a P250 2.0-liter, four-cylinder mill that produces 247 horses and 269 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to all the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. With this mill under the hood, the SUV takes 6.7 seconds to sprint to 60 mph from a standstill and keeps running all way up to 135 mph. This engine is offered on Velar and R-Dynamic trims.
Next in line is the P340, which is a 3.0-liter, V-6 engine that makes 340 horses and 332 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox that sends power to all the wheels. In this case, the Velar takes 6.1 seconds to its sprint to 60 mph and has a top speed of 145 mph. This engine, too, is offered on the base and the mid-trim.
The same mill is offered in a slightly higher state of tune. Dubbed the P380, it doles out 380 ponies and 332 pound-feet of torque. It is slightly quicker and faster, taking just 5.3 seconds to 60 mph, and can go all the way up to 155 mph. It features the same gearbox and four-wheel-drive system. This iteration can be had only on the mid-R-Dynamic trim.
Finally, there’s the might P550 V-8 engine that finds itself under the hood of the top SVAutobiography Dynamic trim exclusively. This 5.0-liter, supercharged engine churns out 550 ponies and 502 pound-feet of twist. Power is sent to all the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. It is the quickest and the fastest the Velar can go. It takes just 4.3 seconds to gallop to the 60 mph mark and has a 170 mph top speed. But, it must be noted that is the slowest when compared to the BMW X5 M and the Jaguar F-Pace SVR. They have a top speed of 177 mph and 195 mph, respectively. How about that!
2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar specifications
Engine
5.0-Liter V-8
Fuel
Premium
Horsepower
550 HP
Torque
502 LB-FT
Transmission
8AT
Drive
AWD
Towing Capacity
5,512 LBS
Fuel Economy
15/20/17
Curb Weight
4595 LBS
Fuel Capacity
21.7 Gal
0-60 MPH
4.3 Seconds
Top Speed
170 MPH
How Much Can The Velar Tow?
The 2020 Range Rover Velar can tow 5,512 pounds and beats both its rivals in this aspect. The Jaguar F-Pace SVR can tow up to 5,291 pounds, whereas the BMW X5 M is the worst in this aspect and can tow just 1,653 pounds. Towing capacity doesn’t matter much in the case of super SUVs, but that is a big difference and BMW could do better to look good on paper.
What Is The Velar’s Fuel Economy?
The Range Rover Velar with the P250 engine delivers 21 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 miles per gallon combined. It is the most efficient engine in SUV’s lineup. The P340 can take you 18 miles in the city, 24 miles on the highway, and 20 miles combined in one gallon of gas. The P380 also delivers the exact same fuel figures as the P340. The P550 is the thirstiest of the lot and delivers 15 mpg in the city, 20 mpg on the highway, and 17 mpg combined.
Land Rover Range Rover Velar Driving Impressions
Driving and Handling
All Range Rovers have the off-roading DNA within them, so expecting a plush, flawless tarmac driving experience is something you have to leave behind before you fire up the engine.
The raw feel is present every single time, but I’m not saying this is a condescending way. Overall, the Velar is well above acceptable and will leave you happy and satisfied after every ride. The top trim even comes with a powerful V-8 and an SV-tuned sports electronic air suspension. However, the car feels heavy without a doubt and some amount of body roll is also present.
Acceleration
Range Rover has plonked the big V-8 engine under the hood with over 500 horses at its disposal.
For an SUV that weighs well over 4,000 pounds, the Velar accelerates like a beast.
0-60 mph is rated at 4.3 seconds by the company. There are many drive modes to choose from, including one called low-traction launch control. Whether you use it for straight-line dashes or not, Range Rover needs to be applauded for being optimistic and offering it.
Brakes
Strong brakes are one of the things that impressed us here. The SVAutobiography comes with 15.5-inch front and rear brakes that bring it to a halt without any drama. It even comes with emergency high-speed braking and ‘Electronic Active Differential with Torque Vectoring by Braking’ that inspires confidence in and around the corners.
Off-Roading
Off-roading isn’t something owners exercise frequently in this segment. But, let’s not forget that the Velar is a Range Rover and this is one of its strongest suits. The Velar has a ground clearance of 8.4 inches and a water wading depth of up to 25.5 inches. Since it comes with an air suspension, these figures can even get slightly better. The approach angle is rated at 23.6 degrees, departure angle at 25 degrees, and break over angle at 19 degrees.
Range Rover Land Rover Velar Exterior Design
Different bumper on every trim
Fog lamps only on the top trim
Red brake calipers
Rides on 21-inch wheels
Blackened pillar for a floating-roof effect
Quad-tip exhaust system
Rear spoiler
Available in a staggering 25 different exterior shades and finishes
The Velar looks unmistakably a Range Rover. All three trims look different up front. Our SVAutobiography came in a white exterior shade. The honeycomb mesh detailing on the grille is seen even in the elements on the bumper. There is a Land Rover logo on the grille and Range Rover lettering at the tip of the hood. Front fog lamps are exclusive just to this trim. Range Rover has offered 25 different exterior colors and finishes on the Velar! Although the color palette is limited to the basic colors, there are multiple shades of each of them in different finishes like solid, metallic, ultra-metallic, and special paints that cost over $9,000 extra even on the fully-loaded top-trim. Phew!
The stout, tight, long side profile may not be to everyone’s liking. This top trim rides on 21-inch five-split-spoke dark gloss grey wheels with red calipers peeking from behind. These wheels are wrapped in Pirelli tires. The blackened A-, B-, C-, and D-pillars give a floating roof effect. The retractable door handles sit flush with the body to give a clean look.
A lot is happening in what can be considered a small derriere. The small, sloping windshield comes with a spoiler at the top. The taillights look aggressive and are split units with a part on the boot and the rest of it out. They are connected by a running strip that has ‘Range Rover’ lettering in between. There’s a small SVAutobiograby badge on the right-hand side. The bumper is rather wide and has reflectors placed at a sloping angle. The bottom bit features a faux skid plate of sorts with quad tailpipes for the exhaust system. Two more tiny reflectors are sitting on either end of the tailpipes. Overall, the Velar looks unique and could draw polarizing opinions.
The SVAutobiography Dynamic trim comes with other features such as:
Powered tailgate
Tailgate spoiler
Auto-dimming, heated wing mirrors
SV Exterior Pack
How Big Is The Land Rover Range Rover Velar?
The Velar is quite a big vehicle, but it isn’t longer, wider, or taller than any of its immediate rivals. The Velar measures 189.2 inches in length, 80 inches in width, 66 inches in height. The BMW X5 M is 195 inches long, 79.3 inches wide, and 68.9 inches tall. The Jaguar F-Pace SVR, on the other hand, measures 186.3 inches in length and 81.5 inches in width, and 65.6 inches tall.
The Velar and F-Pace SVR’s wheelbase measures an identical 113.1 inches, whereas the X5 M measures 117 inches. The Velar’s front track is 64.6 inches wide, X5 M’s is 66.9 inches, and the F-Pace SVR also has a 64.6-inch track. The rear track width measures 65.4 inches for the Velar, 66.5 inches for the X5 M, and 68.1 inches for the F-Type SVR.
2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exterior dimensions
Range Rover Velar
BMW X5 M
Jaguar F-Pace SVR
Length (Inches)
189.2
195
186.3
Width (Inches)
80
79.3
81.5
Height (Inches)
66
68.9
65.6
Wheelbase (Inches)
113.1
117
113.1
Front Track (Inches)
64.6
66.9
64.6
Rear Track (Inches)
65.4
66.5
65.1
How Much Does The Velar Weigh?
The Range Rover Velar weighs 4,595 pounds. It is 200 pounds heavier than the Jaguar F-Pace SVR which weighs 4,395, but over 800 pounds lighter than the BMW X5 M, which weighs a massive 5,425 pounds.
Range Rover Land Rover Velar Interior Design
Leather seats and steering wheel
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
Aluminum gearshift paddles
Two 10-inch touchscreens/Touch Pro Duo system
Supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Four-zone climate control
Up to 60 cubic-feet of cargo space
The Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic comes with Ebony perforated leather seats as standard, but our driver came with a very contrasting interior theme. The black and tan dual-tone combination is very pronounced, which looks and feels premium, but it does not gel well with the exterior colors. Our white model, for instance, didn’t match with it, but it would look good on darker shades. Range Rover offers four different shades of perforated leather seats, which include black, tan, red, and white. This is a subjective thing and will matter only if you’re picky and want a common theme running inside-out.
Step inside the cabin and you’ll be welcome by a tech-rich cockpit and big, fat, chunky steering wheel wrapped in soft-grain leather.
It has a big horn pad with the control buttons mounted on the spokes on either side. These controls are lit only when pressed. There’s an Ebony suedecloth headlining here, too. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster throws up a ton of driver-related info. It is bright and easy-to-read even under bright sunlight. You can add the Driver Assist Pack that adds a 360-degree surround camera with a display here and Adaptive Cruise control.
Some other notable features include:
Four-zone climate control
Illuminated treadplates
Lockable cooled glovebox
Aluminum gearshift paddles
Premium carpet mats
Bright Chrome knurled finish on the rotary and control dials
Is the Velar’s Infotainment Easy to Use?
The Range Rover Velar comes with the Touch Pro Duo system that we’ve been seeing in a lot of models lately. It is essentially a set of two 10-inch touchscreens placed on the center console. The lower one is used for climate controls, drive adjustments like suspension height, and even seats heating and massaging functions.
The knobs and dials make things a lot more intuitive when compared to an all-touch system. This unit is a fingerprint magnet and is annoyingly visible under bright sunlight.
The upper screen is for navigation, media etc., primarily. But, in case you choose to use this only for, say, navigation, you can move the other things like media details to the lower screen with a single touch. The User Interface is friendly and easy to use, but it isn’t the slickest ones available on the market. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come as standard. A 10-inch screen is considered an average size these days, so if you’re coming from a car with a bigger, single screen, you’ll take some time getting used to.
Fortunately, the system offers customization options and you can reduce the clutter on the screen. The infotainment screen at the top can even be customized to set a variety of wallpapers to give a sense of personalization. The default layout does provide clarity of options for access to entertainment media, a Bluetooth connected phone, or navigation. Overall, the system is simple to use, but the learning curve is a little longer.
Is The Velar Spacious?
At the front, the Velar has a headroom of 39 inches, legroom of 40.2 inches, and shoulder room of 57 inches. The BMW X5 M and the Jaguar F-Pace SVR offer 40.8- and 37.8 inches of headroom, 39.8- and 40.3 inches of legroom, and 60- and 57.7 inches of shoulder room, respectively.
The second-row measurements are very similar in all three SUVs. The Range Rover Velar offers 38.8 inches of headroom, 36.8 inches of legroom, and 56 inches of shoulder room. The BMW X5 M has headroom of 38.7 inches, a headroom of 37.4 inches, and a shoulder room of 57.1 inches. As for the F-Pace SVR, you have 37.5 inches of headroom, 37.2 inches of legroom, and 55.8 inches of shoulder room at your disposal.
2020 Range Rover Velar interior dimensions
Range Rover Velar
BMW X5 M
Jaguar F-Pace SVR
1st Row Headroom (Inches)
39
40.8
37.8
1st Row Leg Room (Inches)
40.2
39.8
40.3
1st Row Shoulder Room (Inches)
57
60
57.7
2nd Row Headroom (Inches)
38.8
38.7
37.5
2nd Row Leg Room (Inches)
36.8
37.4
37.2
2nd Row Shoulder Room (Inches)
56
57.1
55.8
How Much Cargo Can The Velar Carry?
With all the seats in place, the Range Rover Velar has a cargo space of 34.4 cubic-feet available. This is more than the BMW X5 M’s 33.9 cubic-feet and F-Pace SVR’s 33.5 cubic-feet. Flip down the second row and you now have 60.2 cubic-feet available at your disposal. This is less than the Jaguar F-Pace’s 64 cubic-feet of space and way lesser than the German’s 72.3 cubic-feet of space.
Range Rover Land Rover Velar Pricing
The 2020 Range Rover Velar is available in three different variants and here’s how they are priced:
Base – $56,300
R-Dynamic – $58,500
SVAutobiography Dynamic – $90,790
Is The Range Rover Land Rover Velar Better Than The BMW X5 M?
The BMW X5 M needs no introduction. It is one of the most-accomplished performance SUVs that you can buy today. It is big, bulky, looks aggressive, and can scare the hell out of you if you see it in your rearview mirror prancing towards you. In terms of features, it is loaded to the gills. The X5 M is powered by a 4.4-liter, V-8 engine that dishes out 600 ponies and 553 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Even though it weighs a lot more than the Velar, the German takes just 4.1 seconds to 60 mph and has a 177 mph-top speed. The 2021 BMW X5 M starts at $105,100, making it around $15,000 dearer than the Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic.
Is The Range Rover Land Rover Velar Better Than The Jaguar F-Pace SVR?
The Velar SVAutobiography’s closest rival is its cousin, the F-Pace SVR. The Jag comes with the same 5.0-liter, V-8 supercharged mill, the same eight-speed automatic gearbox, that even makes the same power – 550 horses and 502 pound-feet of torque. But it is 200 pounds lighter, which makes it two-tenths of a second quicker than its cousin. The SUV even has a top speed of 195 mph. No exception in terms of luxury and the features either. The 2020 Jaguar F-Pace starts at $80,600, which makes it around $10,000 cheaper than the Velar’s top-trim.
Range Rover Land Rover Velar Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The 2020 Velar comes with a suite of driver assistance and safety features, some of which include:
Rear Camera
Park Assist
Adaptive Cruise Control
Trailer Stability Assist
Terrain Response System w/Unique SV Tuned Dynamic Program
Hill Launch Assist
Dynamic Stability Control
Low traction launch
Electronic Traction Control
Roll Stability Control
Cornering Brake Control
Torque Vectoring by Braking
Hill Descent Control
Electric Parking Brake
Anti-lock Braking System
Electronic Brake-force Distribution
Emergency Braking
Range Rover Land Rover Velar Warranty
The velar is covered by a New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 4 years/50,000 miles, and a six-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion perforation warranty, plus various emissions warranties.
Range Rover Land Rover Velar Optional Packs
Apart from the optional accessories, Range Rover also offers numerous packages on the Velar. Since the base model comes with the highest number of packages, for obvious reasons, here’s a gist of them and their prices at the time of penning down this article:
Convenience Pack – $685
Driver Assist Pack – $3,300
Cold Climate Pack – $640
Dynamic Handling Pack – $2,180
Technology Pack – $1,535
Hot Climate Pack – $850
Basic Interior Protection Pack – $550
Premium Interior Protection Pack – $700
Wheel Protection Pack – $250
Black Wheel Protection Pack – $550
Exterior Protection Pack – $300
Premium Rear Seat Convenience Pack – $500
Basic Rear Seat Convenience Pack – $230
Deployable Side Step Pack (without tow) – $3,000
Deployable Side Step Pack (with tow) – $3,300
Love it
Strong road presence
Fantastic V-8 engine is smooth and quick
Offers best off-road capability when compared to immediate rivals
Leave it
Jaguar F-Pace SVR has the same bones but offers better bang-for-the-buck
The Porsche Cayenne GTS doesn’t look very different from the regular model
Both GTS models are fitted with a Sport Design package and GTS-specific features.
However, these don’t make it look significantly different compared to the regular Cayenne. Notable elements include LED headlamps and taillights with dark-tinted covers and black trim for the front air intakes, side windows, the badges on the rear fascia, and the tailpipes. The GTS is also fitted with 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels finished in satin-gloss black.
The Porsche Cayenne GTS comes with a sporty, exclusive interior
While the exterior doesn’t stand out unless you look really close, the interior comes with plenty of cool and exclusive features. These models are fitted with eight-way sports seats as standard that are exclusive to the GTS trim. Likewise, the cabin features “GTS” logos on the front doors, door sills, the rev counter, and the headrests. The GTS also comes with extra Alcantara, now covering the roof lining, the seat center panels, the center console armrests, and the doors. There’s also dark-brushed aluminum trim on the dashboard and the upper doors. You can spice things up a bit more with the optional GTS Interior Package, which adds decorative stitching in Carmine Red or Crayon.
The Porsche Cayenne GTS returns to the V-8 engine
The second-generation GTS started life with a naturally aspirated V-8 engine, but Porsche replaced with a twin-turbo V-6 during the 2015-model-year facelift.
Now, Porsche is ditching the V-6 in favor of a turbocharged, 4.0-liter V-8.
Rated at 460 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque, this V-8 is essentially a detuned version of the 4.0-liter in the Turbo model, but it’s a bit more powerful than the outgoing GTS. Specifically, it delivers an extra 20 horsepower and an additional 14 pound-feet of twist.
Compared to the Cayenne S, powered by a twin-turbo, 3.0-liter V-6, the GTS comes with an extra 26 horsepower and 51 pound-feet of torque. Compared to the Cayenne Turbo, the GTS falls behind by a notable 90 horsepower and 111 pound-feet of twist.
As far as performance goes, Porsche says that the new GTS hits 60 mph from a standing start in 4.5 seconds. Opt for the Sport Chrono Package, and that benchmark drops to only 4.2 seconds. That’s 0.6 seconds quicker than the outgoing model. Top speed for the GTS is rated at 168 mph, five mph more than the old version.
For GREAT deals on a new or used Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or RAM check out Cabral CDJR TODAY!
Large, luxurious, and very serious, the first generation CL was also an SEC and S during its life. While Mercedes-Benz played the Nineties naming games with its lineup, the W140 soldiered on in two-door format as a last-of for a top-tier Mercedes coupe.
Both versions of the W140 were penned by Bruno Sacco late in 1987, during the middle of his career at Mercedes. Sacco was lead designer at Benz between 1975 and 1999. With the W140, he brilliantly continued the pillarless hardtop styling of the C126. Two models of SEC were initially available: The 500 used a 5.0-liter V8 that produced 320 horsepower, while the top-drawer 600 SEC had a V12. The most expensive car Mercedes produced at the time, it used a 6.0-liter engine that produced 394 horsepower and rocketed the coupe to 60 in 6.1 seconds. The 600 SEC was incredibly exclusive, and fittingly asked $132,000 in 1992. Adjusted for inflation that figure comes to an eye-watering $262,000. V12 models were identifiable almost solely via their V12 badges on the C-pillar and the 600 on the back.
The range expanded into other models over the years, as a less expensive 4.2-liter V8 was an option in some markets. On the other end of the spectrum, AMG models used larger and more powerful V12 engines of 6.0, 6.9, and even 7.3 liters. That largest engine allowed the CL 73 AMG a top speed of 199 miles per hour and was the engine Pagani chose to power the Zonda of the 2000s. Standard Mercedes-issued coupes were all limited by German tradition to 155 mph. A considerable number of horses were required to motivate the CL, since in any trim it weighed at least 4,500 pounds, and weighed about 4,900 pounds with a 12-cylinder lump upfront. All cars used a four- or five-speed automatic dependent on model year.
In 1994 the SEC moniker that Mercedes used for decades was replaced by an S, as the S 500 Coupe and S 600 Coupe more closely identified with their sedan sibling. It was a temporary measure though, as for the model year 1997 in Europe and 1998 in North America the S was swapped for CL, and the CL-Class was born. Models were then CL 500, CL 600, and so on. The car underneath changed little over the years, as Mercedes used their best build quality, materials, and technology in their halo coupe.
