In the lead up to officially revealing the fourth member of its growing Range Rover family, Land Rover has published the first pictures and information about the all-new Velar.

When it makes its debut on March 1 it will sit above the current Range Rover Evoque and below the Range Rover Sport in terms of pecking order, but Land Rover promises that rather than simply extending an existing range, this new SUV is creating a new class.

"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," said Land Rover Chief Design Officer, Gerry McGovern.

The car has a sloping glass roof and much smoother lines than any contemporary Land Rover model. It is built using sustainable materials and, though the company won't confirm it outright, is expected to be more on- rather than off-road focused.

The company clearly has high hopes for the car and the importance of the role it will paly in the future, hence its name. Latin for veil or covering, Velar was also the codename used for the original Range Rover during its development stage.