Range Rover has released the first official images of its new Velar model.

Slotting in to the range between the Range Rover Evoque and the Range Rover Sport, the new SUV’s name is said to be derived from the original Range Rover prototypes of 1969. When development engineers needed to hide the true identity of a pre-production vehicle, they chose the name Velar, derived from the Latin 'velare' meaning to veil or cover.

The luxury SUV was created a year later in 1970 when Land Rover launched the original Range Rover. The fourth member of the current Range Rover family will be unveiled at the start of next month.

Described as featuring ‘elegant simplicity’ - a visually reductive approach and pioneering consumer technology are the hallmarks of the new Velar, says Range Rover.

Land Rover Chief Design Officer, Gerry McGovern, said: “We call the Velar the avant garde Range Rover. It brings a new dimension of glamour, modernity and elegance to the brand. The Range Rover Velar changes everything.”

Refined for 'every occasion, for every terrain', the Velar uses sustainable materials and advanced engineering to continue Land Rover’s go anywhere philosophy.

The Range Rover Velar will receive its World premiere on 1 March 2017.