I’m All For A Third-Gen Range Rover Restomod, But Maybe Leave The Lights Alone

If you can’t tell by now, I’m fond of the third-generation Land Rover Range Rover. I think it’s one of the brand’s best designs, delivering a perfect mix of comfort and off-road-readiness while being the correct size (specifically, not too huge, like later models). Best of all, used models are incredibly affordable thanks to their (admittedly earned) reputation for unreliability. That hasn’t stopped me from owning one of my own.

Early versions of the L322 Range Rover are now over 20 years old. While some might think that’s too new for a restomod treatment, I think this SUV is fully deserving of such a revitalization—not only because many of them are well-used and tired, but because the car is an icon that should be preserved.

An Estonian company called Velvet Motorworks is taking up that mantle. Like any other restomodding company, its goal is to make L322s that are better than new, with “a proper teardown, rebuild, and a bit of extra character,” according to the company.

That “extra character” comes in the form of a new fascia inspired by the original Range Rover. In place of the L322’s famous square-shaped headlights and slatted grille is a set of circular lights and a vertically slatted grille. The lower valence has been redesigned with what looks like a skidplate for a better approach angle. There’s a slight suspension lift, and the wheels are new, dished items wrapped in BFGoodrich all-terrains. Out back, the lower bumper and trunk areas have also been reshaped.

No interior renderings have been released, but Velvet promises “handcrafted materials” throughout. Most importantly, the firm will add stuff like Apple CarPlay and other “modern tech,” arguably the one thing most in need of updating on the L322.

I don’t mind the skidplate, the lift, or even the wheels and tires. And I can very much get behind a revamp of the entertainment system (I legitimately never use the touchscreen in my car, Apple CarPlay would be a godsend). But that fascia just isn’t doing it for me. I’m usually not the type to shout, “IT WAS FINE HOW IT WAS BEFORE,” but in this case, I think it was. The L322 is a design superstar that’s aged tremendously; it’ll go down as one of the greatest SUV designs of its time. Here, though, it just looks a bit awkward.

I won’t dismiss Velvet’s rendering entirely. This design somewhat reminds me of the new G-Wagen’s release in 2019. At first, I didn’t think Mercedes-Benz’s modern headlight design worked with the square body shape. But it quickly grew on me the more I saw it in real life. Perhaps it’ll be the same with this Range. At the same time, I absolutely love how the original L322 looks, and throwing out the original design seems wrong.

How the Velvet Motorworks Range Rover drives will be more important. The original L322 is an exceedingly pleasant thing to wheel, and from the sounds of the company’s press release, it doesn’t plan to ruin a good thing:

Velvet Motorworks will base each build on a supercharged V8 petrol model, refining it for stronger performance and a more engaging, analogue feel — a return to the kind of connection modern SUVs have largely lost.  

A selectable active exhaust system lets drivers either enjoy a quiet, refined drive or unleash the full, unmistakable roar of the V8. Modern chassis tuning keeps the legendary off-road capability intact while improving on-road comfort and handling.

Then there’s the reliability of it all. In an email sent to me, founder Mihkel Külaots confirmed Velvet will perform some comprehensive revisions.

“For reliability, we’ll be revising the entire electrical system, ensuring everything works properly and is waterproof in critical areas,” he says. “The air suspension will be completely overhauled with more reliable aftermarket parts. For rust prevention, the entire body will be thoroughly rustproofed. These are just the main areas we’ll focus on, but in reality, we’ll go over nearly every detail of the car. It’s a massive amount of work, but I believe it will be worth it.”

Double-R enthusiasts will know Land Rover sold this generation of Range Rover with a 4.2-liter supercharged V8 from 2006 to 2009, before replacing it in 2010 with a 5.0-liter version that had a tendency to eat through timing chain guides. Külaots confirmed that Velvet will focus on the 4.2 unit. “Plastic parts like timing chain tensioners, cooling hoses, and coolant tanks can get brittle over time, so there are a lot of components that definitely need replacing to keep the car running smoothly and make it feel like new,” he says. Külaots estimates the engine will make around 500 horsepower thanks to upgrades to the air intake and supercharger, along with a revised engine tune.

Velvet Motorworks says its first prototype should be complete by the middle of 2026, with first deliveries happening at the end of that year.  I’ll make my final judgment once I see some real-life photos.

Top graphic image: Velvet Motorworks

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