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Why the Lexus RX350 is Everything Under the Sun- and Perfect for Summer

If you are visiting a Park Place Lexus dealership this summer, expect the 2019 Lexus RX SUV to be a bright spot. The best-selling Lexus model will be in hot demand for SUV enthusiasts and luxury vehicle fans.

1. Design

The 2019 RX features an immaculate interior to capture the draw of your attention around the cabin. Form-fitting seats and smooth finished wood trim surround the seating areas. There’s enough room for five individuals inside the RX models in addition to plenty of trunk space for several golf bags or four large suitcases. If you plan to hit the golf course or travel around the country this summer, the 2019 RX is a fantastic summer pick up.

For larger family trips, one should consider the RXL, which provides a third-row to seat two additional occupants. Seating seven people offers additional flexibility for families looking to cut back from using two vehicles during vacations. During the heat of the summer, back row passengers will also appreciate multi-zone climate control.

2. Performance

2019 RX drivers would enjoy two potential driving experiences with the 350 and 450h Hybrid. The RX350 continues to provide a powerful V6 engine with 295HP and 268 lb-ft of torque. If you prefer the gas/electric version, the RX450h offers 308 combined EPA-estimated fuel efficiency with 30 mpg combined EPA-estimated fuel economy.

Drivers also maintain exceptional control over the RX with several driving modes available from “Normal,” “Sport,” “Eco,” and “Sport S” as standard modes for the RX350. The RX450h Hybrid enables EV mode for electric power at lower speeds for short distances. For any F-Sport drivers, the F-Sport package adds the “Sport S+” and “Customize” mode for an enhanced athletic drive.

3. Safety

Thanks in part to the Lexus Safety System+, drivers can appreciate fewer collisions with advanced safety equipment. The pre-collision system with pedestrian detection anticipates individuals or a potential frontal collision with an audible or visible alert. These innovation along with several others contribute to the all-wheel drive Lexus RX350 and RX450 models both achieving 5 stars for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety ratings.

4. Multimedia

To stream all the hot summer soundtracks or search for popular vacation destinations, the Lexus RX models offer an efficient multimedia system. RX drivers can enjoy an 8-inch screen with HD radio, Bluetooth audio, voice recognition, two USB ports, and more. Drivers can upgrade from a 9-speaker audio system to a 12-speaker premium audio system with a 12.3 inch screen and full navigation.

 

If you are interested in the 2019 RX350 or 2019 RX450 Hybrid model, visit the Park Place website for inventory options.

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PARK PLACE DEALERSHIPS PARTNERS WITH BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE IRVING FOUNDATION

Non-Profit Chosen as Beneficiary of

3rd Annual Luxury & Supercar Showcase Car Raffle

Park Place Dealerships and Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation have partnered for the 3rd Annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase, Dallas Fort Worth’s premier luxury lifestyle and automotive event, to be held at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas on Saturday, September 28. Proceeds will benefit the Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center – Irving.

“Partnering with Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation allows Park Place to give back directly to the local community that has embraced the event for the past two years,” said Liz Shafton, Experiential Marketing Director at Park Place Dealerships. “We are excited to introduce a raffle to the Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase that will allow one lucky winner to take delivery of a new car! Proceeds from the raffle also will work in tandem with the Four Seasons Resort and Club’s efforts to fund a CT Scanner, the Discovery RT, at the hospital.”

Park Place and Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation will offer the opportunity to win a 2020 Lexus UX—the first-ever Lexus compact crossover—along with the award-winning ownership experience that makes Park Place feel like your place.

Tickets for the raffle may be purchased online  or by visiting the Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation at 1901 N. MacArthur Blvd.

Irving. Tickets are $100 each.

Showcase Update

In addition to a juried Collectors’ Concours, Park Place will offer fashion, food and retail offerings within the Porsche Pavilion. There will be music performances on the Lexus Live Stage and beverages at The Mercedes-Benz Beer Garden on the lush Four Seasons TPC Championship golf course.

Tickets

Ranging from $25 – $50 for general admission and $100 for VIP All Access, which includes the VIP Lounge with complimentary food and beverages from dozens of the area’s finest restaurants, tickets are on sale at LuxurySupercarShowcase.com.VIP Tickets are limited and have sold out the previous two years.

Park Place Dealerships represents some of the most coveted brands in the world, including Rolls-Royce, Maserati, McLaren, Bentley, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volvo, Land Rover, and Jaguar which will all be featured at the event.

Fabulous Fashions

Highland Park Village will present a runway show produced by Jan Strimple Productions for the second year. The fashion show will feature looks from prestigious brands presented exclusively in the climate-controlled pavilion on the resort grounds, with retail pop-ups for guests to shop the day of the event.

Dallas’ Mad Hatter Shane Walker will return to judge the 2019 Haute Hat Contest on The Million Air Stage with categories for stylish men and women. Guests are encouraged to pair a hat with their favorite resort-inspired ensemble.

Within the event will be a juried Collectors’ Concours, featuring a diverse selection of rare supercars, luxury, sports, vintage and classic cars from private collectors. The event also will include a Car Club Expo powered by Park Up Front as well as a Kid’s Zone complete with drivable cars for the littlest enthusiast.

About Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation

Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation was established by civil leaders as a public charity in 1977 to raise funds for nonprofit healthcare in Irving. To date, more than $45 million has been raised for nonprofit beneficiaries in Irving.

About Park Place Dealerships

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com

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Park Place Advances Eleven Positions to Finish Fourth at Mid-Ohio

Park Place Motorsports finished fourth after starting last in the GT Daytona class in the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with the No. 73 Park Place Porsche 911 GT3 R.
 
Driver Marco Seefried and Porsche Works Driver Patrick Long reunited for the first time since 2015, and it was a performance that should not have been missed. Long garnered bumps and bruises along the way to the fourth-place finish sustaining damage to the left front and rear in the final minutes of the race. Overcoming cars laps down and traffic, Long was gaining ground on the third-place car when the checkered flag fell.
 
Seefried took the No. 73 Porsche from 15th to second in the GTD class during his stint. Seefried caused a red flag during qualifying after getting stuck in the thick mud that so many fell victim to this weekend. The No. 73 had its two fastest laps taken away and ultimately had to start from the rear of the field. Seefried gained six positions in the opening 10 minutes of the race, making the incident long forgotten after the green flag. He too received damage to the front left of the bumper during the final laps of his stint.

Driver Quotes

 
Patrick Long, No. 73 Porsche 911 GT3 R

 

“I’m very proud of our result,” Long said. “The racing today was hard fought and physical, but we made it through. We chose an alternative strategy which is always risky, but I think it ultimately helped us. I think we capitalized on the yellow flags really well. We definitely had the pace for the front today. The biggest challenge were the lap cars; they made things difficult. But overall fourth place is a great points day for us. I’m glad we brought it home.”

Marco Seefried, No. 73 Porsche 911 GT3 R

“I think considering where we started, we can be pleased with our result today,” Seefried said. “I think Porsche will be happy to see how we performed together; I hope Patrick (Lindsey) is happy as well. We took on some damage this race, but I think that is just what happens at Mid-Ohio with a scenario like we had today. Finding a setup was quite difficult due to the weather, but I think the team did a great job considering that challenge.”

NEXT UP

The next race for the No. 73 Park Place Porsche is currently undecided as the decision of whether or not to run at the Detroit Grand Prix Presented by Lear has not been made. Detroit is a commitment for the GTD Sprint Championship but not for the GTD full season championship. Teams can omit Detroit from their calendar and still win the full season championship or omit the endurance races for the sprint championship. The race following Detroit is the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen at Watkins Glen International in New York.

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A Star in the Room: Consistency with Kirk Franklin

Grammy Award-winning artist Kirk Franklin
celebrates the consistency in music and family

Kirk Franklin was raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and was adopted by his 64-year-old Aunt, Gertrude Franklin.

“I had a rough childhood,” says Franklin. “I didn’t know my mother or my father. I had a lot of abandonment issues. So, I got into a lot of trouble and didn’t do well in school. But Gertrude really believed in my musical gifts. So, from the time I was four I would take piano lessons once a week.”

Gertrude paid for his piano lessons by recycling aluminum cans and old newspapers.

“Unfortunately, Gertrude died before she heard any of the music that I recorded. So, she didn’t get a chance to see me get my life together. I kind of live with that ‘chasing the ghost’ type of energy in my life.”

Franklin organized “The Family” in 1992, forming a 17-voice choir with neighborhood friends and associates. Their debut album, “Kirk Franklin & The Family,” was released in 1993. Eventually earning platinum album sales, it spent nearly two years on the Gospel music charts, as well as moving up the R&B and Pop charts.

It was the first gospel music album to sell over a million units.

The group released “Whatcha Lookin’ 4” in 1996, sealing Franklin’s stardom. The album was certified 2X Platinum, and earned Franklin his first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.

Since his debut in 1992, Franklin has received six platinum certifications on his albums, including the 3X Platinum “Gods Property,” which won him a second Grammy for Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album.

Franklin has worked with a variety of artists over the years, including Cheryl “Salt” James of Salt-N-Pepa, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Bono, and TobyMac. The winner of more than 40 Stellar Awards, 16 Dove Awards and 14 GRAMMY Awards, Franklin states, “I really believe it happened because I am a firm believer in the message I preach.”

“One thing about music is that you can’t have a bunch of musicians playing what they want to play,” explained Franklin. “They have to play what the song demands. So, what you don’t want to feel is that everyone is playing different notes, because it’s not a melody… it’s not a nice harmony. And it doesn’t sound good, nor does it feel good. The star in the room is always the song.”

“What I love about Park Place is that the star in the room every time you go is always the client. You can tell that they have been rehearsing, that everybody’s playing the same note.”

“Park Place team members are committed every day to create an ownership experience that can’t be found anywhere else,” explains Dave Evans, Park Place Dealerships Chief Marketing Officer. “Our clients tell us fabulous stories about Park Place members who have gone above and beyond to make their experience memorable. We want people to think of Park Place as My Place.”

“Coming from a past where a lot of things in my childhood were very inconsistent, consistency has been something I have always strived for,” Franklin concludes.

“Park Place is ‘My Place’ because they make me feel like a classic song.”

 

 

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Your Rights. Your Choice: Choosing Your Collision and Hail Repair Shop

When it comes to choosing your place for hail or collision repair,  some carefully worded phrasing and confusing verbiage from an insurance could imply that you do not have the right to choose your repair facility.  In an effort to empower our clients through what can sometimes be a frustrating situation (especially in the event of a collision),  Park Place BodyWerks will not only provide 100% guaranteed repairs with OEM certified parts and technicians, but our team of experts will guide you through the process and facilitate communication with the insurance company.

TRUE OR FALSE? The repair shop you want is not on the insurance network shop list, so an insurance company can’t guarantee the repairs?”

FALSE. By law, insurance companies cannot tell customers where to go for repairs. The Texas Department of Insurance Bill of Rights lists regulations for auto insurance claims.
 
Here are 7 things we recommend you consider before choosing your repair facility for your collision and hail repairs:
 

1. You choose where you want your vehicle towed and repaired. It’s the law.

2. You only need one estimate to determine the amount of damage.
3. Review your car insurance policy especially regarding car rentals.
4. Verify the insurance company pays for all covered repairs.
5. Take care in choosing the right repair shop because your safety depends on it.
6. Insurance companies have deadlines they must follow regarding the claims process
7. Ask questions until you get all of them answered. This is a step toward picking the right body shop.
 
Choosing a certified collision repair center is your choice. So learn more on how Park Place BodyWerks is here to not only provide top-quality repairs, but also assist you throughout the process with your insurance.
 
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Park Place Racing Update: Seefried Subs-In at Mid-Ohio

Dallas (April 30,2019) – Marco Seefried will take over driving duties for Park Place Motorsports Team Principal Patrick Lindsey in the No. 73 Park Place Porsche entry at this weekend’s Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for Round 4 of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Lindsey excuses himself to continue his championship hunt at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps Saturday, May 4. 
 
Seefried joins Porsche Works Driver Patrick Long in Park Place Motorsports’ hunt for a first win with the all-new Porsche 911 GT3 R while aiming to capitalize on its points standings. After two rounds of endurance racing Park Place Motorsports is sixth in the GT Daytona class, team points championship. Sixth is the highest points position Park Place Motorsports has held this early in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.
 
The IMSA series first appearance at Mid-Ohio was last year. Park Place Motorsports did not partake in the debut as the No. 73 Porsche was running endurance and select races only. This race is Park Place Motorsports first appearance in the GTD class at Mid-Ohio since running in the Grand-Am series. Park Place Motorsports will rely on Long’s previous experience with Wright Motorsports for greater understanding of car handling at the 2.4-mile track.
 
Park Place Motorsports makes the switch from endurance racing to sprint racing at Mid-Ohio. This is the first of eight sprint races on the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship calendar. The shortened race format brings a new feel to the series with a keen focus now on perfect pit stops and bringing the car up to pace as quickly as possible. With a GTD field featuring 15 entries, the Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio will be anyone’s race.
 
Patrick Lindsey, Team Principal
“I’m happy we can have someone with the pace and experience Marco brings as my replacement,” Lindsey said. “He’s someone I trust, and that’s half the battle when finding a replacement. You need someone who has experience in the car, who has the pace and who can bring it back into pit lane in one piece. I would have loved to have been there with my boys, but I have another battle across the pond. I’m hoping this weekend goes well and Project 1 can go to Le Mans with a greater points gap.” 
 
Patrick Long, Porsche Works Driver
‘We’re headed to Mid-Ohio for sprint racing with Marco Seefried in the car,” Long said “He’s someone I ran with back in 2015, and I consider him a great friend, so I’m looking forward to driving with him in Patrick’s absence. The Porsche 911 GT3 R is a car we’re still getting our hands around, but after our strong finish at Sebring we like our chances at a tighter more technical track.”
 
Calendar
Park Place Motorsports’ weekend begins Friday, May 3, a day packed with practice. Saturday, May 4 features a final morning practice session for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series before qualifying. GTD kicks off qualifying with the 15-minute session beginning at 11:40 a.m. EDT, the session can be viewed live on IMSA.tv. Sunday, May 5 is race day. The Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio is set to see the green flag wave at 1:40 p.m. The race is aired on NBC Sports and IMSA.tv. For a detailed schedule of the weekend visit http://imsa.com.

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Park Place Partners with Arlington ISD

Park Place Motorcars Arlington General Manager, Terry Powell, recently presented Arlington ISD Assistant Superintendent, Michael Hill, with a check in support of the Arlington ISD Education Foundation.

Education is one of Park Place’s main pillars of giving back and since 2017, the dealership has donated $10,000 to the Arlington ISD Education Foundation. In addition, Park Place Motorcars Arlington’s Circle of Excellence held a coat drive and other initiatives in support of the district.

Located at I-20 and Collins in Arlington, the 91,000-square-foot Mercedes-Benz dealership recently showcased the all-new 2019 A-Class, an entry-level luxury compact for today’s tech-savvy driver. Test drives are available for the A-Class and all other available models at Park Place Motorcars Arlington.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

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Four Reasons Why the 2019 Maserati Ghibli is a Summer Must Have

As the days get warmer and your summer drives get longer, 2019 Maserati Ghibli could be the luxury upgrade you’re looking for.  In this short blog, we reveal a quartet of reasons why the Ghibli would be a winning decision for your next My Place purchase.

Safety

For many Park Place clients, safety is a top priority. The Maserati Ghibli has taken safety seriously by offering standard and enhanced options. The Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) is available for drivers who are looking for further peace of mind while on the road.

A 360 surround camera provides a clear, 360 degree view around a Ghibli with additional parking support. For further traffic support, traffic sign recognition identifies speed limits and temporary speed limit signs that are displayed in the instrument cluster. If you’re driving out of town, the Advanced Driving Assistance Systems could provide support for you in areas you may be unfamiliar with.

Performance

Whether you have a new for efficiency or speed, the 2019 Maserati Ghibili will fulfill your needs. Two engine options are available with a 345 HP twin-turbo V6 and a 424 HP twin-turbo V6.

The 345 HP is a V6 engine with 369 lb-ft torque that accelerates a Ghibli from 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds. Each driving mode of Normal, Sport, Off Road, and I.C.E. (Increased Control & Efficiency) provide professional personalities to match your desired driving style.

An enhanced 424 twin-turbo V6 with 428 lb-ft torque is available in the Ghibli S and all-wheel drive Ghibli S Q4. The second variation of the V6 engine reduces the 0-60 time to as low as 4.7 seconds.

Design

Ghibli models are also manufactured to fit the look your sight desires. Maserati offers the Ghibli base model with exterior and interior upgrades available in the luxurious, GranLusso model and the athletic, GranSport vehicle.

The duo continue that great Maserati appeal, however, notable exterior distinctions are seen with exclusive grilles, enhanced wheels, and edgy side & rear profiles. GranLusso and GranSport interiors are also great compliments of each other thanks to individualized seat design plus inviting trim placement.

Inventory

If you’ve strongly considered the Maserati Ghibli, the 2019 models are a fantastic selection. You can now choose out of several Ghiblis available at the Park Place Premier Collection in Dallas. All three variations of the Ghibli, Ghibli S, and Ghibli S Q4 are in stock. You can also upgrade to the GranLusso or GranSport series that again offer an enhanced luxury and sporty experience.

For more details on how you can purchase a 2019 Maserati Ghibli, contact Park Place Premier Collection at 866-249-2885 or view available Ghibli inventory today.

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Park Place Finishes 4th in Long Beach

Park Place Motorsports Driver Alan Brynjolfsson capitalized on his clean racing to finish fourth in the Am class of the SRO GT4 America Sprint Powered by Pirelli series at the GT Long Beach Grand Prix ensuring he claims the lead in the Am Drivers points standing. 
 
While race strategy does not tend to vary significantly in sprint races, Brynjolfsson may have had a bit unusual one. Starting fifth in the No. 7 VOLT Lighting Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR, he patiently awaited the Long Beach streets to claim their first victim. His wait was far from long with the first caution coming out seven minutes into the race with a car and debris covering Turn 9. The first restart gave way to the second and final yellow nearly instantaneously. 
 
From the second restart forward Brynjolfsson used his racecraft to gain traction and the Porsche’s agility to fight against the competition. With 25 minutes remaining Brynjolfsson and the No. 7 Volt Lighting Porsche Cayman advanced as high as third in the Am class. While the front of the field was packed in the tight confines provided by the street course, Brynjolfsson fell back to fifth and battled back to fourth for the finish in the second street course event of his racing career.
 
“I’m very happy with the way the weekend went,” Brynjolfsson went. “Number one walking away with a clean car and just having a solid performance weekend all weekend. I’m happy with the team. The race went almost perfect from my standpoint, I just wished I had qualified better. That was the big difference in terms of the race finish. Right now, Mike Johnson told me we’re sitting first in both Sprint Am and GT4 Am drivers’ championship, so that’s more important. Today, we got great points toward the championship. It’s been a great experience having my first street courses, St. Pete and Long Beach, back-to-back and leading championships is excellent.”
 
Director of Race Operations Mike Johnson had his eyes on the championship before the street courses knowing it was an opportunity to create a point cushion ahead of the competition.
 
“Right now, I am just happy with how well Alan is driving and how well our team is performing,” Johnson said. “To lead both the GT4 Sprint and Sprint X East Championships in our first season at this point of the year is a real testament to how hard our guys have been working.  Of course, the next race at VIR will really show how organized we are, or are not, as we try to run 4 races in one weekend, but having a win there last year for Alan and Trent in the Mustang gives us some confidence going into the weekend.”

Coming Up Next

Park Place Motorsports next sees SRO GT4 America action in both forms of the GT4 America EAST and GT4 America Sprint at VIRginia International Raceway April 26-28. Park Place Motorsports will compete with Brynjolfsson in the No. 7 Volt Lighting Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR in the Sprint series. In the same weekend, he will be joined by co-driver Trent Hindman in the No. 77 Volt Lighting Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR in the EAST series. Watch the race with the live stream or follow live timing with http://gt4-america.com.

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Range Rover SUV Experiment Continues with 2019 Velar

The phrase avant-garde is defined as new and unusual or experimental ideas. Following the first edition release last year, the 2019 Range Rover Velar returns with more in store, bringing avant-garde to your luxury SUV. While Range Rover conducts another amazing SUV experiment, here’s why the Velar should be tested by you.

Interactive Design

A full 12 months after receiving the World Car Design of the Year in 2018, the Range Rover Velar has continued to age gracefully. The 2019 Velar fills a gap between the Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Sport.

For those who prefer simplicity, drivers will enjoy the minimalist skills needed to operate engaging technology inside the front cabin. Two 10 inch, high-definition touchscreens are accessible to the driver and front passenger. The two vertical screens allow for navigation guidance to be visualized on the top screen, while audio is streamed on the bottom display.

The stylish SUV also provides a unique blend of compact mid-size swagger for those needing a vehicle for daily city driving or weekend off-roading.  The Sports Command Driving Position creates enough visibility for drives needing additional clarity while driving.

Capability Rules

If traveling is important to you, Range Rover’s All Wheel Drive (AWD) and Intelligent Drive Dynamics (IDD) systems are available as standard. The duo supports engine torque distribution that provides the essential power to perform under any situation. The torque is transferred to the front and rear wheels that also create the necessary traction in a variety of road and weather conditions.

The two systems together are specifically crafted for the Velar to handle low traction scenarios such as snowy and wet grassland climates, but also offer the best performing with high terrain driving.

Land Rover also patented Hill Descent Control (HDC) to assist a driver with controlled descents of difficult slopes. An Electronic Air Suspension also adds to the Velar’s stature by adjusting the height in preparation for uneven surfaces.

Powerful Performance

An 8-speed automatic transmission optimizes the gear, fuel efficiency and acceleration while one is behind the wheel. Three engines are available beginning with a 2.0L 4 cylinder that outputs 247HP and 269 lb-ft of torque. The two V6 supercharged engines both provide 332 lb-ft of torque and over 340 HP.

If you are in the market for a new SUV, the Velar is a versatile model that is available in multiple variations. To find which model fits your needs, visit the Range Rover Velar inventory available on parkplace.com or contact the Land Rover DFW dealership for more info at (844) 362-1094.