There’s a certain irony to the idea of making a 20-year-old SUV look older than it actually is. But when that SUV is the third-generation Range Rover L322 — a model that somehow managed to look both contemporary and classic from the moment it debuted in 2001 — the concept starts to make a lot more sense.
Estonian outfit Velvet Motorworks is taking the boxy luxury icon and giving it the backdated restomod treatment, blending the L322’s already-timeless silhouette with styling cues from the original Range Rover Classic.
Heritage Meets Modern Engineering
Each build starts with a supercharged V8 petrol model — specifically the later Jaguar-sourced 5.0-liter AJ V8 from the facelifted L322 — and gets a full teardown before being rebuilt with performance refinements and improved drivability. The goal is to recapture that analogue connection modern SUVs have largely abandoned while maintaining the reliability you’d find in a contemporary vehicle. A selectable active exhaust system lets you toggle to the full-throated roar of the supercharged V8 inside, depending on your mood or the neighborhood you’re driving through of course.
The chassis receives modern tuning to sharpen on-road handling and comfort without sacrificing the Range Rover’s legendary off-road capability. A modest lift and larger wheels enhance both stance and presence, while the backdated exterior pays homage to the Classic’s iconic design language, complete with round headlights, a signature grille, and squared-off body panels. Inside, handcrafted interiors blend premium materials with modern conveniences like Apple CarPlay.
Built by Enthusiasts
Founder Mihkel Külaots remembers being a teenager when the L322 first launched, captivated by its powerful presence and boxy proportions. Now, with the earliest examples crossing the 20-year threshold, he saw an opportunity to give these modern classics the attention they deserve. The 3D concept design comes from Nils Piirma, an automotive renderer who’s created visuals for Koenigsegg (Jesko, Gemera) and Genesis (Essentia, Mint), among others. His renderings capture the vision perfectly — a Range Rover that could’ve rolled out of Solihull in the ’70s but with the substance of a vehicle built two decades ago.
Spec Sheet
Model: Range Rover L322 Restomod
Base Vehicle: Third-generation Range Rover (L322)
Engine: Jaguar-sourced 5.0L supercharged AJ V8
Exhaust: Selectable active exhaust system
Suspension: Modern chassis tuning with lift kit
Features: Apple CarPlay, modern safety features, handcrafted interior
Designer: Nils Piirma (automotive renderer)
Release Date: Late 2026 (expected)
Pricing & Availability
No word on pricing yet, but Velvet Motorworks is currently working on its first fully functional prototype, expected to be completed by mid-2026. Limited production will begin shortly after, with the first customer deliveries scheduled for late 2026.
Recap
Velvet Motorworks Range Rover L322 Restomod
Estonian company Velvet Motorworks is backdating the third-generation Range Rover L322 with styling cues from the original Range Rover Classic — think round headlights and a signature grille — while upgrading the supercharged V8 and chassis for better performance.
