The Evoque goes topless
Few new cars in 2016 are going to be as glitzy as controversial and provide as big a visual statement as the new Range Rover Evoque convertible. This is the drop-top version of Land Rover’s super stylish and hugely successful luxury compact SUV.
This new Evoque will be ready in UK showrooms from June which is just in time for the summer and will sit at the very top of the line-up with prices starting from £47,500. Regardless of whether or not you choose the Phoenix Orange paint (pictured) the Range Rover Evoque convertible has serious levels of “wow” factor.
Even though it’s lost the roof the silhouette still remains clean fresh and instantly recognisable as an Evoque. The rising belt line frameless doors and four seats all remain intact. The five-layer fabric roof goes down in 18 seconds and pops back up in 21 seconds. Although rear passenger space is cramped and a little bit claustrophobic the rear viability through the glass is actually pretty good.
Standard equipment is generous too with HSE Dynamic trim. What this trim gives you is 20 inch alloy wheels a heated front windshield, heated and cooled leather seats, parking sensors with a reversing camera and a new 10 inch touchscreen Infotainment system. However, if you want Keyless Go, a full 360 surround view monitor and an all-important wind deflector then you’ll need the HSE Dynamic Lux trim.
There are two engines to choose from one being a 2.0 litre petrol engine and the other the more popular 2.0 TD4 diesel unit which develops 177BHP and 317 lbs.ft of torque. The TD4 is hooked up to a 9-speed automatic gearbox with all of the 4-wheel drive gizmos you could wish for. What’s really great is that there’s very little roll that goes on in this car when you take on corners which is what you would normally associate with a 4x4. The level of refinement and noise suppression in the cabin, whether the roof is up or down, is very impressive. However, the problem with chopping the rood off of any car is that you lose structural rigidity. The remit of a proper 4x4 is that it needs optimum strength in order to prevent the chassis from twisting and flexing. Therefore, Land Rover has had to introduce a lot of bracing underneath and in the doors to improve the strength of the overall shell and that’s added weight – a lot of weight in fact. This extra weight results in you having to work the brakes and the engine much harder and this in turn does expose a little bit of harshness when you’re at the top end of the rev limit. When you compare this car to its hard-top sibling it’s a little bit slower getting to 60 mph and also less fuel efficient. Don’t get us wrong, this is still a hugely well accomplished off-roader but the ride quality is considerably firmer.
Objectively speaking the Range Rover Evoque convertible is not without compromise but this isn’t really the point with a car like this. First and foremost this car is a style statement with enough luxury, theatre and showmanship to entertain. For those buyers that want to take niche to the next level then there really isn’t anything else out there.
