2011 Range Rover Evoque

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The Range Rover Evoque has turned the much-acclaimed LRX concept car into reality, faithfully capturing the spirit of its landmark cross-coupé design. True to the Range Rover brand, the Evoque effortlessly delivers premium levels of craftsmanship, luxury and performance, but shrink-wrapped into a more compact package. The lightest and most fuel-efficient Range Rover ever, the Evoque demonstrates the marque’s commitment to environmental sustainability, bringing sub-130g/km CO2 capability to the premium SUV class.

Evolution of Range Rover design
The all-new Range Rover Evoque takes its inspiration directly from the LRX concept car, which drew worldwide acclaim for its exciting new interpretation of classic Range Rover design cues. Smart design in conjunction with meticulous engineering allowed the spirit of the LRX concept to be turned into reality without compromising the core Range Rover values of interior luxury, refined performance and all-terrain capability.

Gerry McGovern, Land Rover design director, said:

“The Range Rover Evoque marks a bold evolution of Range Rover design by adopting new interpretations of classic Range Rover design cues and staying true to the core Range Rover values. With its dramatic rising beltline, a muscular shoulder running the length of the car, and a distinctive taper to the floating roofline, the Evoque adopts a very dynamic profile with a powerful and athletic stance.”

Pushing the wheels out to the four corners helps give the car its purposeful stance. The wheelarches are wide, but softly integrated into the body, while the carefully sculpted corners dramatically reduce the car’s visual overhangs front and rear.

Impeccably crafted luxury interior
Beneath its dramatic exterior, the Range Rover Evoque provides customers with an impeccably crafted luxury cabin, incorporating the premium quality materials and elegant design expected of a Range Rover interior.

Gerry McGovern continued:

“The strong, simple architecture of the cabin is evident with the bold intersection between the solid horizontal elements of the instrument panel and the powerful vertical lines of the centre console.”

Uniquely in the compact SUV segment, the Evoque allows customers to specify a lavishly appointed cabin, with soft, premium leather and beautifully tailored, twin-needle stitching providing a luxurious finish to almost every surface of the instrument panel, doors and seats.

In bold contrast to the comforting aroma and supple feel of natural hides, authentic metal finishes provide a series of striking highlights. Cold to the touch and exquisitely crafted, the metal finishes are a tactile and visual reminder of the superior interior quality.

The instrument cluster, housed beneath a compact curved binnacle, adds to the sporty, premium feel of the interior. The twin dials have an attractive, three-dimensional form with chunky, illuminated chaplets and needles, and are set deep in circular housings finished with bright chrome rims.

Total comfort and practicality
The driver adopts a lower seating position than in one of the larger Range Rovers, offering a more sporting feel but retaining the important Command Driving Position. The result is more generous headroom than is traditionally found in many sporting saloons, despite the low-profile coupé roofline.

Drivers who take their Range Rover Evoque off-road will be reassured to know that in addition to extremely generous ground clearance, the car has a significantly better breakover angle, approach angle and departure angle than other premium compact SUVs.

Dynamic handling and effortless, refined performance
Land Rover engineers have developed the Range Rover Evoque to provide customers with a polished driving experience that combines dynamic and sporty handling with responsive, effortless performance and refinement.

Murray Dietsch, director of Land Rover programmes, said:

“We’ve tuned the Evoque’s chassis and Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) to deliver precise and responsive steering at lower speeds, making the car nimble and fun to drive in the city. As the Evoque is lighter, with a compact footprint, it reacts quickly and positively to driver inputs at higher speeds, ensuring that enthusiastic drivers are offered the agility they want from a car.”

This engaging and sporting character has not been achieved at the expense of harshness or poor comfort and refinement. Adaptive Dynamics uses advanced MagneRide dampers which provide a particularly good balance of confident, nimble handling and supple, controlled ride. The suspension delivers even tighter body control, with flatter handling and sharper responses.

As a true Range Rover, the Evoque delivers the all-weather, all-surface capability that is a hallmark of the brand. In common with its larger siblings, the new model provides formidable all-terrain potential, enhanced by the latest version of the company’s signature Terrain ResponseTM system.

The Evoque will be the first Range Rover to offer customers a choice between the standard, full-time, intelligent, four-wheel-drive system, which delivers outstanding performance and traction on all surfaces, and a low-carbon, two-wheel-drive option for further enhanced fuel economy.

The turbocharged powertrain line-up offers smooth and responsive performance. Customers can choose from the comprehensively updated 2.2-litre turbodiesel with 190PS or 150PS derivatives. The four-wheel-drive version combined with the 150PS 2.2-litre will offer up to an impressive 50mpg* and 145g/km* CO2. The state-of-the-art new 240PS, 2.0-litre Si4 petrol engine combines direct fuel injection, turbocharging and twin variable valve timing for exceptional driveability and fuel efficiency.

Murray Dietsch continued:

“The state-of-the-art, four-cylinder, turbocharged engines combine six-cylinder refinement and performance with fuel economy figures of up to 58mpg* and emissions of sub 130g/km* CO2. These impressive figures have been achieved by the product development team’s commitment to delivering a compact and weight-efficient product, with no compromise on durability and robustness.”

Serious about sustainability
The Range Rover Evoque sends a powerful message that the brand is determined to deliver relevant new products that are not only desirable, but also significantly more sustainable. The new car’s greener credentials stem from a comprehensive approach to reducing its environmental impact throughout the product lifecycle, from development and manufacturing, through to customer use and end-of-life recycling.

While the Evoque offers the premium luxury and performance customers expect from a Range Rover, it also demonstrates levels of efficiency and responsible design that make it one of the most sustainable cars in its class.

Key product innovations that drive its green performance include:

  • Compact size – at 4350 mm, the Range Rover Evoque is 430 mm shorter than a Range Rover Sport
  • Lightweight technologies – advanced materials used throughout the body and chassis
  • Efficient powertrain – state-of-the-art petrol and diesel engines, with high-efficiency features such as direct injection and stop-start
  • Low CO2 technologies – including Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS), smart regenerative charging and optimised transmissions
  • Availability of front-wheel-drive – reducing weight and minimising driveline losses
  • Recycling and re-use – maximising use of sustainable and recycled materials, plus optimising end-of-life recyclability

The result is a Range Rover that sets new standards in the premium compact SUV segment for fuel economy and CO2 emissions, with the two-wheel-drive diesel capable of an exceptional sub 130g/km* CO2.

Distinctively Evoque
Land Rover designers and engineers have developed a host of distinctive and innovative features, to ensure the Range Rover Evoque stands out from the crowd. Lighting plays a big part in the Evoque’s distinctive appeal. First to catch the eye is the powerful signature graphic in the front running lights, created by innovative LED light-blade technology. A similar graphic is repeated in the LED rear lights, with their jewel-like 3D petal design.

Approach the car at night and you will also see a bold vehicle graphic alongside the front doors, illuminated by the ‘puddle lights’ that shine from the mirrors.

More special touches greet you when you enter the car. The interior displays come to life with a choreographed animated start-up sequence, while the rotary auto shifter completes the ‘greeting’ as it rises silently into the driver’s hand.

LED ambient lighting provides sophisticated and precise illumination within the cabin; a range of colours can be chosen by the driver to suit their mood. Select Dynamic mode, however, and a sporting red colour scheme fills the interior as well as the instrument dials and cluster display.

Completing the range of features, the first panoramic roof ever fitted to a Range Rover can be specified, providing an all-round vista which helps to make every journey a special occasion.

There are three main vehicle design themes, each of which has its own distinctive character, exterior treatment and carefully co-ordinated interior package. The three themes are:

  • Pure – combining the stunning concept-car exterior with a stylish, clean interior in neutral colours to highlight the pure, simple forms of the cabin architecture. Soft-touch, wrapped materials on the major surfaces contrast with the real-metal brushed aluminium trim.
  • Prestige – ultimate Range Rover luxury, combining a bespoke exterior that includes unique, 19-inch wheels and sparkling metallic details with an indulgent interior that is almost entirely leather-wrapped. Luxurious duo-tone colour schemes are embellished by premium leather, twin-needle stitching and real wood and metal finishes.
  • Dynamic – bold exterior with 20-inch wheels and unique bumpers, sills, grille and tailpipes for a more assertive, confident stance. Contrasting roof and spoiler colour is a no-cost option, while the premium sports interior offers a darker environment with splashes of bright contrast colour, together with perforated leather seats and unique sports detailing.

Packed with premium technologies
The Evoque benefits from the same comprehensive selection of the latest technologies as the larger Range Rovers, in terms of controls, connectivity, comfort and convenience for all occupants.

From the driving wheel, the Range Rover Evoque is distinguished by a carefully conceived system of controls and displays that combines a stylish, uncluttered layout, state-of-the-art functionality and class-leading ease of use.

At the heart of the control system is Range Rover’s much-acclaimed, eight-inch, high-definition touch-screen display with its crisp graphics and simple, intuitive menu structure. The display is available with the innovative dual-view technology, so that driver and passenger can view completely independent content.

Tech-savvy customers get the connectivity they demand with a comprehensive package that includes Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone use and audio streaming, plus a range of USB and auxiliary inputs for iPods and other portable devices.

The Evoque is the first Range Rover to offer breathtaking new sound systems developed in partnership with the high-end audio specialist Meridian. The premium Meridian offering is an 825W, 17-speaker system that delivers the ultimate in surround-sound performance.

Other features available to Range Rover Evoque customers include:

  • Park Assist for automated parallel parking
  • Blind Spot Monitoring system
  • Surround Camera System with five digital cameras, including a reversing system
  • Full dual-zone automatic climate control, featuring a Timed Climate park heater facility
  • Hard-drive navigation system
  • DAB/FM/AM/Sirius tuners, with hard-drive virtual 10xCD multiplayer
  • Digital and Satellite TV, and DVD playback
  • Rear-seat entertainment package, with eight-inch video screens, digital wireless headphones and touch-screen remote control
  • Keyless entry system and powered tailgate
  • Adaptive headlamps with auto headlamp dipping
  • Heated windscreen, front seats and steering wheel

Sold in 160 markets worldwide from summer 2011
The Range Rover Evoque will be manufactured in the multi award-winning plant at Halewood in Merseyside, UK. The car has been engineered for all global markets, and will go on sale in more than 160 countries worldwide from summer 2011.

Phil Popham said:

“The launch of the Range Rover Evoque is a significant step forward for the Range Rover brand. This groundbreaking car brings new excitement and relevance to the marque, but remains true to the values of premium luxury and performance that have made Range Rover such an enduring success story over the past 40 years.”

Source: Range Rover (press release/media site)