Velvet Motorworks Bets on Breathing New Life into the Range Rover’s Eternal Soul
An Estonian outfit by the name of Velvet Motorworks is promising more than a straightforward restoration of Land Rover’s third-generation Range Rover. Their pitch is a restomod treatment, a blend of vintage lines and modern technology intended to deliver a machine that pays homage to its heritage while driving like something fresh off the line. The only question is whether this luxurious recipe will truly find takers.
Operating out of Tallinn, Velvet Motorworks has revealed plans to hand-build conversions based on the early-2000s Range Rover L322. A boxy, understated SUV that has aged with surprising dignity, the L322 is set to be reimagined with cues from earlier generations. The company’s ambition is to rewind the clock visually while upgrading the fundamentals with contemporary engineering and sharper dynamics.
Every build will start with a supercharged V8 petrol model, ensuring performance credentials remain intact. The focus, says the company, is an “analog” driving feel—something conspicuously absent from today’s tech-laden luxury SUVs. An electronically controlled exhaust will allow owners to keep things discreet or let the V8 soundtrack take center stage.
Design-wise, the retro playbook is clear: round headlights, a familiar grille, and a prouder stance. Inside, hand-crafted materials will sit alongside modern conveniences such as Apple CarPlay and up-to-date safety systems, an intentional blend of old-world charm and digital-era usability.
So far, the concept exists only in 3D renderings, with a prototype slated for mid-2026 and first customer cars expected by year’s end.
The restomod scene is littered with ambitious announcements, though few projects make it past the drawing board and fewer still carve a lasting niche. The L322 may lack the rarity or cult aura of the original 1970s Range Rover, but that could prove an advantage: it offers enthusiasts a more accessible entry point into the world of “modern classics.” Whether Velvet Motorworks can turn promise into presence remains to be seen, but the idea alone is enough to make Range Rover purists raise an eyebrow.
