Range Rover Evoque was one of the stars of the 2010 Paris Motor Show when it opened on September 30, which probably comes as no surprise to anyone. Since the small Range Rover was first displayed at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show the all-new Evoque has aroused an ever increasing amount of comment.
Despite fears the fascinating shape just wouldn't be practical, clever design works means the chop-top shape of the production Evoque is almost identical to that of the concept. The body of the Range Rover Evoque is slightly narrower than the original concept, and the roofline isn't quite as extreme. The rising waistline and falling roofline combine to give a look like no other vehicle on the market. We wouldn't be surprised if other marques follow the lead of the British maker and we see a rash of similarly styled vehicles in the next couple of years. But you saw it here first.
We have now sampled the interior of the 2010 Range Rover Evoque at the Paris show, though we haven’t yet had an opportunity to drive it. Interior space is fine, with the back seat having room for two adults who are taller than average. However the back seat is fairly low set to achieve this headroom so young children may not have the best of views out to the side.
Though the exterior styling of the Evoque is radical, the interior is more subdued, having a simple dashboard and console layout that follows a similar elegant theme to that of the full size Range Rover and the Land Rover Discovery 4. The quality of in-cabin finish is high and virtually to the same standard as the far more expensive Range Rover. All the controls and instruments are easy to use, as also are the entertainment and information screens.
At this stage the Range Rover Evoque is only being built as a three-door. Five-door versions will be introduced by the end of 2010.
The Evoque is the lightest, most fuel efficient Range Rover ever, particularly in turbo-diesel format where there's a super-economy engine with an official European rating of just 4.9 litres per hundred kilometres. This engine may not be imported to Australia due to its added cost, but time will tell. Both turbo-diesel units have a capacity of 2.2 litres, there's also a 2.0-litre petrol engine.
In a sign of the times, the new Range Rover Evoque is to be offered as a 2WD as well as a 4WD. Weight can be significantly trimmed by omitting some driveshafts and differentials. It's a well known fact that the great majority of SUV owners never take them into even the mildest of off-road territory. And those who do want to explore the bush, picnic beside forest trails or go to the beach can opt for the 4WD version.
Details and timing of Australian imports of the Range Rover Evoque have yet to be finalised. Based on European prices the lower cost Evoque models might just come to us for just under $50,000 due to the current strength of the Australian dollar against the Euro. That would make them a real bargain. On the other hand, Evoque is to be offered in some upper-luxury variant in a manner suiting this marque and these could cost considerably more. Topping off the Range Rover range are features such as full leather interior, a full panoramic glass roof, 20-inch wheels, and much more.
|
Print Article
Submit Feedback
Email This Article
