We are in sunny Sydney for the official test drive of the latest Range Rover, the EVOQUE. It has seen showroom duty in Malaysia with success and now comes a test drive designed to showcase the vehicles capabilities on various terrains and at speed. The EVOQUE is sold in three design themes: the cool and contemporary ‘Pure’, the luxurious ‘Prestige’, and the bold and sporting ‘Dynamic’. The Range Rover Evoque stands out from the crowd. The Range Rover Evoque is available with xenon headlamps where 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 Range Rover 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 (Just like in the Jaguar XF). LED ambient lighting provides sophisticated and precise illumination within the cabin; select Dynamic mode, and a sporting red colour scheme fills the interior as well as the instrument dials and cluster display.
Open the doors and the sense of occasion is all around the cabin with a wonderful mix of leather, metal and high grade plastic covering the cabin. A luxury sedan cockpit feel is introduced. Compared to the Land Rover Freelander, the EVOQUE is longer, wider, and lower. The track is wider in front and at the rear, contributing to improved handling and stability. Rear accommodation has been given a boost with seating adequate for 3 full sized adults with ample legroom. Its roofline is lower but the cabin is larger due to increased width and lower floor. Knobs, buttons and shifters introduce a high sense of quality to the feel and no driver will be disappointed with the racy 2-pod instrument cluster. We liked the bright colour information display between the 2-pods. This full colour 5-inch display between the two instrument dials presents the primary vehicle-related information, such as temperature and fuel levels, gear position, Terrain ResponseTM mode, and cruise control/hill descent information.
The steering wheel has a meaty feel with easy to use function controls on them and manual gear shifters. The 8-inch display on the center console can also be specified with the innovative Dual View technology. This enables the driver and front passenger to view completely independent content, so that, for example, the passenger can watch a DVD while the driver follows route navigation instructions. The touch screen audio (DVD, CD, MP3, MP4, WMA and climate control system is super user friendly and is shared with the Jaguar XF (and gives the center console a less ‘busy’ feel). Our Test EVOQUE came with the sensational 380W Meridian surround sound system, the innovative Dual-View touchscreen display, TV, rear seat entertainment, an advanced Park Assist automated parking system and powered tailgate. The Meridian system was just impressive to say the least as it filled the cabin with a concert like sound. The balance and delivery was crisp and even with city traffic around us it never let up a beat. It stands tall with the other premium systems found in competing brands.
We first got to drive the revised diesel engine. Ignite the diesel engine and there is only a slight rumble that invades the cabin serenity. Yes, a diesel premium SUV from EVOQUE. Surprising us, make no mistake, it is as sporty as its petrol siblings. It’s ready to excite us at city speeds but when we reach the open road just outside Sydney’s city center we let the turbocharged diesel sing its best song as we reach for the upper limits of the revolution range in 2nd and 3rd gear just shy of limiting out the power band on 6th gear. There is no shortage of trust as we increase our progress and there is little hesitation from the smooth revving diesel engine. The 6-speed gearbox is smooth and intense with negligible shift action.
Long sweeping corners are taken with ease with effectively no body roll or movement felt from inside the cabin with the chassis remaining very flat. As we approach some more adverse corners running up the hills around the back of Sydney’s countryside, this EVOQUE did not fail us even in some hair raising conditions where we managed to get the best out of the well balanced chassis working hard with the tuned suspension. Do not think you need to be a professional driver to string together a series of quick corners as this Range Rover makes even the most mediocre driver feel like a weekend race driver. Drive it hard along a country road like we did in Hunter Valley and you will pick-up more speed with every corner, as you get amazed with its tenacious grip, infallible body control and superb in-gear acceleration as diesel engine works in harmony with the gearbox. Tarmac imperfections are hardly felt and rear passengers will not complain of a ship like side-to-side action as you attack every curve with increased speed. It is true sense of speed and when it comes to shaving of this speed to sane levels, the shift down by the gearbox works just as well as using the large powerful brakes that can have you merging with your windscreen if your seatbelt is not on tight.
Land Rover Australia arranged a rather inspiring off road track for us to test the 4×4 capabilities of the EVOQUE to prove that it was not just a pretty face. Using a private horse trail we were given various trail conditions to tackle. The ‘Terrain Response System’ (similar to what is found in the Range Rover VOGUE) was given a full workout as we tackled soft sand, steep gradients, muddy trails and even a river crossing which gave us full confidence of this vehicle if and when its lucky owner wanted to go off-road. However we all know that the average owner will never see even gravel duty, but it just means that the EVOQUE will be supremely capable on the average tarmac.
So what makes the EVOQUE stand out among the sea of compact SUV’s that fill up the segment? Well for starters the Range Rover brand. Already well established as the world’s best off-road company with good reliability and excellent dynamics, the EVOQUE carries the Range image which keeps its desire factor high. Add in the fact that every buyer will be able to tailor their EVOQUE order with a wide range of trim possibilities (8 tailored designer interiors), 5 exterior colours and technology options to have it just like a well tailored suit. The car can also be specified with the sophisticated Adaptive Dynamics system which uses advanced MagneRide™ dampers to provide a particularly good balance of confident, nimble handling and supple, controlled ride. This option is only on special order.
Sales globally is moving at an accelerated rate in all 160 markets it will be sold in and be ready for a wait to get an EVOQUE in your garage.
Range Rover EVOQUE Diesel Specifications
Engine: 4-cylinder Diesel Displacement: 2179cc
Max power: 190ps @ 3500rpm
Max torque: 420Nm @ 1750rpm
0-100km/h: 8.5secs
Top Speed: 195km/h Transmission: 6-Speed Semi-Auto
Range Rover Petrol Si4 EVOQUE Specifications
Engine: 4-cylinder Turbo Petrol Displacement: 1999cc
Max power: 240ps @ 5500rpm
Max torque: 340Nm @ 1750rpm
0-100km/h: 7.6secs
Top Speed: 217km/h Transmission: 6-Speed Semi-Auto
