A new Land Rover goes on sale next fall, a small upscale model called the 2012 Range Rover Evoque that will be sold at Land Rover Centers nationwide.
Born of the LRX concept that hit auto show circuits three years ago and became the Evoque Coupe, the 2012 Range Rover Evoque is the more practical version, with four doors and a roofline that makes the rear seat a realistic proposition. Called the most-compact vehicle to wear the badge, it has a longer wheelbase, is four inches wider and five inches shorter than the original Range Rover.
Evoque carries all the Range Rover styling cues in a smaller-scale package; to wit, the Range Rover's triple-bar grille is two bars on the Evoque, and the lights look a cross between Rover's LEDs and a Ford Edge. A narrowing window line provides the broad clamshell hood, fender vents and windshield against a sporty, small-window, large spoiler tail. Requisite massive name badges bow and stern announce it may be smaller but still a Rover.
The North American Evoque uses a Ford 2-liter turbocharged engine (EcoBoost) for about 240 horsepower and similar torque, much like the optional engine in the new Explorer. A 6-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive feed the wheels. Land Rover's Terrain Response system is a pushbutton in the Evoque and it loses the Rock and Sand modes in favor of Sports and Eco modes. The shifter is a rotary knob.
Suspension is all independent. Ground clearance and approach and departure angles are useful. MagneRide adjustable dampers are on the option list for maximum comfort and control. The 40-series, 20-inch Michelin road tires demonstrate the Evoque is designed for about as much off-highway use as is expected of the similarly sized Honda CR-V and Audi Q5. It's not for four-wheel driving tracks.
Rear-seat room and cargo space benefit from the four-door Evoque's tall roof. There's 51 cubic feet of cargo space available when the 60/40 split rear seats are folded. We'd not go so far as to call it a roomy rear seat, especially for three, but smaller adults and children will fit comfortably. Front-seat space is better, in typical Range Rover proportions with the emphasis more on head and legroom than width. Apparently, Range Rover drivers tend toward tall and slender.
A thick-rim steering wheel with shift buttons, broad dash and console, eight-inch touch-screen and sizable control knobs and switches are all Land Rover hallmarks, as is a high level of amenities and comfort.
Evoque arrives in Pure, Premium and Dynamic versions and whether standard or optional a full suite of gadgets and conveniences will be offered, including full-perimeter cameras, panoramic glass roof, adaptive bi-Xenon headlamps, electrically-heated windshield, seats, and steering wheel, navigation, dual-screen rear entertainment, and a 17-speaker, 825-watt Meridian sound system.
