The latest Range Rover, the new compact Evoque SUV, has just got even better with a choice of hybrid-electric engines, which should make it a popular choice both for city and country motorists alike.
This Evoque is even more sophisticated with its cutting-edge technology, designed and engineered here in the UK which will help safeguard production in the northern England site which has seen sliding sales the closer we get to Brexit and all the uncertainty that brings. It will also hopefully provide a much-needed lift for Jaguar Land Rover following less than expected sales in the UK and China and talk of outlawing diesel engines by the current UK government.
Rawdon Glover, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover UK says that: “The Range Rover Evoque has been a phenomenal UK success over the past seven years. It’s proven very popular with customers from a broad range of segments with more than 60% of them being new to the Land Rover marque.”
The Evoque is indeed a sophisticated evolution of this now recognisable distinctive coupé-like silhouette, with its distinctive fast roofline and rising waist. The SUV’s proportions are amplified with pronounced shoulders and more powerful wheel arches, coupled with new 21-inch alloy wheels.
Another new design feature is the Evoque’s super-slim Matrix LED headlamps. The flush door handles also add to the smooth lines as do the sweeping indicator lights, giving the SUV greater stance on the road.
Take a peek inside the finely crafted almost minimalist interior and you’ll instantly notice the uncluttered surfaces and tactile materials that have been used to give an air of luxury and serenity. This is also a high-tech interior with a twin touchscreen Touch Pro Duo system, featuring new, faster software, 16-way seat controls so you can find that optimum driving position and cabin air ionisation that complement the increased interior space. A nifty new gadget is the ‘ClearSight rear-view mirror’ that transforms into an HD video screen at the flick of a switch if a passenger or object is obstructing the rear-view mirror. The Evoque is also the first vehicle in the world to feature Ground View technology, effectively making the bonnet invisible by projecting camera imagery onto the upper touchscreen to show a 180-degree view under the front of the vehicle. Pretty handy when trying to park in those small spaces in supermarkets!
Gerry McGovern, Land Rover’s Chief Design Officer, says that: “When Range Rover Evoque made its debut back in 2010, it transformed the world of compact SUVs and the new model is set to continue that remarkable journey. This characterful vehicle combines refinement and fun to create that all important emotional reaction that will turn heads and make people smile.”
The new Range Rover Evoque now has a longer wheelbase which gives its rear seat occupants an additional 20mm of extra kneeroom. There is additional handy stowage space for smaller items, whilst the glove box can now accommodate tablets and handbags, keeping them out of sight of prying eyes. And if you lug a lot of gear around, you’ll pleased with the wider and 10 percent larger boot with space increasing to 1,383 litres when the flexible 40:20:40 second-row seats are folded right down.
The Evoque has been designed to accommodate an electric motor with a 48-volt mild-hybrid available right away and a plug-in hybrid model planned for a year later. The mild hybrid powertrain is a first for Land Rover and harvests energy normally lost during deceleration thanks to the engine-mounted belt-integrated starter generator, storing it in the under-floor battery.
For those of you who like to take your SUV off road, then you will be pleased to know that the Evoque combines all-terrain capability and all-weather assurance with an All-Wheel Drive system, as well as a second-generation Active Driveline with Driveline Disconnect to enhance efficiency and Adaptive Dynamics to deliver the perfect balance of comfort coupled with agility. The SUV’s Terrain Response 2 automatically detects the surface being driven on and adjusts the vehicle’s set-up accordingly. You can also wade through water up to 600mm, whereas the previous model could only wade up to 500mm of water.
Nick Rogers, Executive Director, Product Engineering of Jaguar Land Rover, says of the new Evoque: “Underneath the skin is an engineering and technical revolution. The architecture is all-new to accommodate both plug-in and mild hybrid systems, with only the door hinges remaining unchanged on the body. The chassis has been significantly reworked to make the most of the stiffer body, ensuring the characteristic ride comfort and refinement of a Range Rover.”
He goes on to say that the “Evoque is now smarter than ever. The software that sits behind the infotainment system has been refined to provide a more intuitive customer experience. On top of that we’ve added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration.”
For more information on the new 2019 Range Rover Evoque and to specify your own vehicle please visit www.landrover.co.uk
Prices start from £31,600 for the D150 150 HP FWD Manual and £35,100 for the AWD Automatic version.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is Editor of Our Man Behind The Wheel and Editor-in-Chief of Our Man On The Ground Travel and Lifestyle Magazine.
Photographs courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover
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