New Range Rover Evoque – Above & Beyond.

 The Range Rover Evoque transformed the Land Rover range when it first launched in 2011, and now the dynamic SUV has undergone a breathtaking redesign to include a refreshed exterior, and superior levels of capability. The stylish Evoque has won the hearts of drivers across the world thanks to its unique blend of luxurious design and off-road capability. Careful to retain its distinctive character, the New Range Rover Evoque holds its eye-catching shape and proportions, but sees the introduction of a striking reductive design language embodied by a more streamlined silhouette and attractive clean lines along the body, for a more contemporary and premium feel.

Sophisticated Evolution;

Having pioneered the luxury compact SUV market (now with more than 217 international awards), the new Range Rover Evoque is a sophisticated evolution of the original. Combining unrivalled Range Rover heritage with cutting-edge technology, and with prices starting from €42,845, it meets the needs of today’s SUV buyers. Rivals to the new Range Rover Evoque include the Audi Q3, Volvo XC40, Jaguar E-Pace, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and the Lexus NX.

More Spacious Than Ever;

The new Range Rover Evoque is built on Land Rover’s new ‘Premium Transverse Architecture’, which allows for more interior space than before. A longer wheelbase yields 20mm extra rear knee-room, while the larger glove box and centre cubby can now fit tablets, handbags and bottles with ease. The luggage space is 10% larger (now 591-litres with the rear seats in place), as well as much wider, with up to 1,383-litres available when the 40:20:40 rear seat backs are folded. The new architecture has been developed for electrification, with a 48-volt mild-hybrid available now, and a plug-in hybrid model due in 2020. The mild-hybrid powertrain is a first for Land Rover, and works by harvesting energy normally lost during deceleration and storing it in the under-floor battery. At speeds below 17km/h, the engine will shut off while the driver applies the brakes. When pulling away, the stored energy is redeployed to assist the engine under acceleration, thereby reducing fuel consumption in the process.

Sumptuous Interior;

The new Range Rover Evoque’s dramatic, confident and sophisticated design is in complete harmony with the simplicity of its intuitive technologies, and supreme levels of functionality. Sophistication and space are abundantly apparent in its beautifully appointed interior. Taking inspiration from larger models in the Range Rover line-up, the new Evoque’s cabin majors on quality materials, clean design, and modern infotainment. Overall interior quality has taken a welcome step forward, and is a sumptuous place in which to spend time, while a suite of interior personalisation options allow for supreme individualisation.

Choice of ‘Ingenium’ Engines;

From power and sheer driving pleasure, to fuel economy and refinement, there is a range of Ingenium engines available for the new Range Rover Evoque, and each has been optimised for specific attributes to cater for all needs. All engines are equipped with Stop/Start technology and smart regenerative charging for ultimate fuel economy. A 2.0-litre petrol engine is available in three states of tune – 200, 250 or 300bhp (badged P200, P250 and P300 respectively), with All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) and a nine-speed automatic gearbox coming as standard. Diesel options consist of a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine with power outputs of 150, 180 or 240bhp (badged D150, D180 and D240 respectively), with AWD and a nine-speed automatic gearbox across the engine range. A six-speed manual gearbox is exclusively available with the D150 model for drivers who prefer a manual transmission.

Specification Levels;

There are three generously equipped trim levels to choose from – S, SE and range-topping HSE, with all levels available in standard Range Rover Evoque, or Range Rover Evoque R-Dynamic guises – leading to a choice of 6 models in total. R-Dynamic models bring a sportier look, adding black and burnished copper detailing, plus a body-coloured front bumper. Standard features across the range include stylish split-spoke alloy wheels (from 18” to 20” depending on the model chosen), LED headlamps with auto function, automatic wipers, perforated grained leather seats, 10-way electric front seats, 10” Touch Pro infotainment system with satellite navigation, Android Auto™ & Apple CarPlay™, traffic sign recognition with adaptive speed limiter, approach illuminations, 2-zone climate control with rear air vents, twin sliding front armrests, push button start, reverse camera, front & rear parking aid, lane keep assist, and a driver condition monitor, along with a whole host of additional comfort, convenience, and safety features.

Test Car;

My test car was a new Range Rover Evoque D150 ‘S’ AWD Automatic, which was finished in striking Kaikoura Stone metallic paint for maximum impact. The award-winning 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine produces 150bhp, and a healthy 380Nm of torque for swift acceleration. The 0-100km/h sprint can be completed in 11.2-seconds (10.5-seconds in manual guise), and can reach a top speed of 196km/h where legally permitted. Fule consumption as low as 5.6l/100km is possible on a combined driving cycle (NEDC rating), enabling up to 1,160km’s from a full tank (65-litres) of diesel. With closely spaced ratios, the Evoque’s technologically-advanced 9-speed automatic gearbox provides seamless gearchanging ability, while a shift schedule intelligently adapts to the driving style of the driver. On the road, the new Evoque is impressively refined and tackles road imperfections with ease, while its driving dynamics ensure that every journey is testament to the great lengths that Land Rover engineers have gone to in order to ensure supreme driving pleasure. With an approach angle, departure angle, and ramp angle of 22.2, 30.6, and 20.7-degrees respectively, the new Evoque is now more capable than ever off-road too.

Verdict;

Overall, the new Range Rover Evoque possesses terrific levels of luxury, style, technology, refinement and capability. In 2011, the original Range Rover Evoque set a precedent in the niche compact luxury SUV market, and the new Evoque has certainly gone ‘above and beyond’ in every way.

Visit www.landrover.ie for further information.