Between environmental sustainability and glamorous, Land Rover provides a landmark to freshen its image. A turning point that we have personally encountered in a “full immersion” organized in that of Gaydon, complete with a test preview of some prototypes of the new Range Rover Evoque . It all started at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008, of which the LRX concept was one of the undisputed star. Style exercise, said the British. Soon, it became instead was far more behind. There was the desire to capture new customers , image-conscious motorists and charmed by the British, but who lack the financial resources to afford a Range Rover Sport . LRX is therefore a “thermometer” to estimate the commercial potential of an extension to the bottom of the range.
The result of the measurement was immediately clear: the “fever” was high: motorists – especially urban – responded enthusiastically to the idea LRX. A reception that convinced Ford management (then owner of Mark) to give the green light to the development of the project. In the headquarters in Gaydon went to work and the passage of shares from Ford to Tata did not change the cards on the table. Indeed, according to the British designers, the Indians fell in love at first sight of the car. Sniffed the deal, convinced that the bet of a compact Land Rover, and is available with low body coupe, as well as 5-door , could be a winner.
Forty-three centimeters. Many steps between the length of the Range Rover Sport and that of Evoque, at an altitude of 436 cm . A footprint from car segment C (a Ford Focus measures exactly 436 cm), within which lies a cabin large enough. But it must be said clearly, it is better to use four . Fifth place (optional on the Coupe) would be sacrificed, especially in width and in the area on foot. But small also means sustainable. Not surprisingly, the latest addition is a true manifesto of the new philosophy of the brand, geared towards reducing the environmental impact . Engine from the gearbox, by streamlining the production cycle and end of life of the vehicle, everything is designed with the goal of cutting pollution.
The engine range comprises a 2.2 turbodiesel and a 2.0 turbo petrol . The first is available in two power levels : 150 (in 2012 also matched to the front-wheel drive) and 190 horses. The second delivers 240 hp and 340 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. Diesel will star of course the lion’s share in sales and from here begins our test: a few minutes on the test circuit in the vicinity of the factory. The 190 horses, but especially the 420 Nm of torque, were not slow to make their presence felt, as evidenced by the considerable verve that you get as an answer to every lunge on the gas pedal. However, performance alone was not enough to satisfy the customer type (which probably descends from a Mini or is considering as an alternative, just a Countryman MINI or BMW X1 …). We also wanted a sporty handling , driving pleasure in Britain have received from the aluminum suspension with electronically controlled magnetorheological shock absorber. The Evoque gives very little to roll, the cornering grip is high and changes of direction happen quickly. We can only hope that the final set does not drop too many compromises and that the production car reflects the behavior of these specimens pre. Maybe, yes, with a little more care in assembly for the time, switching on disconnection is underlined by some creaking coming from the interior plastics.
Now you’ll see, does not fall within the Evoque certainly among the “hard & well.” That said, the angles of attack, back, and output is declared superior to the competition: 25 º -22 º -32 º, compared to 25-18-25 18-17-25 Audio Q5 and the BMW X1. Also, the “handyman” All Terrain Response, Land Rover trademark, optimize the responses of the engine, differential, electronics and steering in order to overcome even the most insidious funds. The data sheet is promising, I’ll give you a full review when testing the car from top to bottom.
Before talking about lists , given the circumstances on environmental sustainability, we should make a reference to the consumption: 190 horsepower from the 2.2 runs 15.6 km / l (declared). Anyone interested in cutting spending under fuel, remember that in early 2012 will arrive 2WD: its 150 hp engine will feature CO2 emissions by 130 g / km, for an average consumption of about 17.5 to 18 km / l. Price: brace yourselves. It starts from € 35,400, many for the 150 bhp 2.2 diesel 4WD Pure. But already by the intermediate version, the Dynamic, the request will “surge”: € 43,700. The Prestige? 44,500: and we are still with the engine from 150 hp to 190 … That requires, respectively, 38,200, 46,500 and 47,300 €. Finally, the 2.0 turbo: 40,400 for the Pure, 48,700 to 49,500 for the Dynamic and the Prestige. If you prefer the Coupe Allow an extra € 1,000. Endless, of course, the list option: the ability to customize ranging from the aesthetic to the technical and the final bill is likely to approach dangerously close to that of the Range Rover Sport …
