This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
A lot of people noticed the LRX prototype in the motor show. It is good looking. Most probably, it will be another legend following the modern miracles like the Audi TT and Mini. Its success builds on the technology and experience of making fine cars and obviously the heritage that the British called a genuine 4 wheel drive.
Around 14 years ago, before Honda CRV, there was another model called the HRV. When we look back, this one has a lot of similarities between the HRV and Evoque, even though they are 14 years apart. HRV didn’t sell very well, because CRV and Toyota Rav 4 sold extremely well to fit in a race for bigger and better compact SUV. In the end, HRV had no room to grow. In my opinion, the world comes back to talk about fuel efficiency and practicality, and most importantly style. Hence, there is the need to revive an unique specie that the world badly wants.
Evoque is a very clever preposition. It basically uses a lot of hardware from its slightly bigger brother Freelander 2, Only it is better than Freelander 2. Freelander 2 is a very practical car. However, Evoque reviews a more elegant styling of the tough Freelander 2, yet it retains some key design clues of being a Range Rover. When people look at the Evoque, undoubtedly, people see a Range Rover instantly. The front facia, the clamp styling bonnet, the roof and the deeply racked and sweeping sty body lines plus the elegantly designed hatch back door all make the new design theme as a modern icon.
If Audi TT and the highly retro styling Mini can become legends, surely Evoque will be most fashionable and must have accessory that modern city dwellers would demand for it.
With its engine, there are two options, TD4, SD4 with turbo diesel that
1727-01-2012 ISSUE 269 Driveway
Driveway27-01-12 No. 269
Driveway ISSUE 269 27-01-201218
promise for under 5Litre per 100kms; and a more powerful petrol engine Si4 with petrol 177kW for a rather brisk standstill sprint. It has two transmission boxes; however, most people would prefer a six speed automatic that uses the Jaguar which could pop us and turn the dial style presentation.
As for body style, there are a 3-door “coupe” or the majority would be predicted to take the 5-door wagon version for easy access to the back seats for a 2-seat or 3-seat configuration.
There are a number of standard equipments such as Push Button Start, electric parking brake, bluetooth with audio streaming, rear parking aid, colour TFT information screen and 6/4 way electric seats.
The price of a TD4 Evoque in 5-door 6-speed manual 4-wheel drive model in Pure trim starts from $53,395. There is another 2-wheel front drive model called eD4 diesel 110kW 6-speed manual 2WD, also available in Pure, Prestige, Dynamic trims which will be available from July 2012.
Engine sizeLand Rover Australia announced that new Range Rover Evoque prices would start from $53,395 for a TD4 Evoque Pure (5-door) 6-Speed manual 4WD model.
How does it drive like?It has all the characteristics of the Freelander 2, except the front styling of the front overhang doesn’t allow for steep climb. Yet, it is equipped with the famous all terrain control that helps for travelling in sand, mud, rut, grass, snow and a dynamic option when you need it. Wading depth across river is still the same, but the re-design of the engine mounting with 19 inches alloy wheels allow the Evoque to wade across a shallow river. However, not too many city slickers will take the Evoque off the tarmac. On the contrary, Evogue is not a cheap version of the Freelander 2; rather it is an upmarket version of smaller Range Rover.
When driving the car, it has that signature feel about being in a Land Rover or a Range Rover. It is solid built. Everything is familiar just like getting into any classy Range Rover. With leather wrapped dash board, the dual view centre screen allows the front passenger and driver to view at the same screen but for a different display. The passenger can use a headphone to listen to that movie showing at the screen.
Theer is ample headroom for the passengers at the back. It was a great concern as the styling was set up for style. Yet, when I sat in the back, there was enough headroom as the fuel tank for the Evoque was re-designed to accommodate the styling needs of the Evoque. Rear vision is limited to the back and it comes with chucky “C” pillars as well. However overtaking and lane change check are ok; but the use of rear vision camera plus a bigger central monitor screen helps the driver when reversing back.
How will this car sellThe TT and Mini are European made; so far, the Japanese and South Korean haven’t made a legend. However, the Mazda MX5 is very close to becoming an icon. But being a compact 4 wheel drive and to enjoy that kind of styling and off road credential could help Evogue becoming a legend or an icon of compact 4 wheel on roads in the modern jungle.