Range Rover Evoque
photo credits: Wikipedia
The Range Rover Evoque is the cheapest Range Rover you can
buy today. But is it a proper Range Rover? I try to find out with a very short
drive.
The Evoque maybe one of the best looking cars to come from
Land Rover but it also shows a huge deviation from their regular cars. It is
much smaller than the bigger Range Rovers and it has a more coupe like shape
than the large boxy design of its elder brothers. It was the first car to sport
Land Rover’s new design language. The coupe
like design gives it a sportier look. The car was designed with the help of
Victoria Beckham. It maybe small but it has pretty good road presence thanks to
the 18 inch alloys. It is more like a compact luxury lifestyle off-roader. At a starting price of around 70 lakhs, it is expensive.
On the inside, the Evoque is as luxurious as you expect a
small Range over to be. The dash is simple and everything is made of high
quality materials. But you do sit low and for a short person, the view outside
is not good. You do not get the superb visibility like you get in the bigger
Rangies. The front seat support is good and there is decent amount of space.
But at the back, the seats are slightly small and there is not enough legroom
and head room. Thanks to its smaller
footprint and the shape. The cabin is made more airy thanks to a panoramic
glass roof. The boot space is a decent 575 litres.
photo credits: rangeroverpictures.com
The Evoque comes with a 9 speed automatic transmission. It
comes with a beautifully finished circular gear selector which rises up when
the car is switched on. The test car is powered by a 2.2 litre diesel engine
producing 187 bhp and 420 Nm of torque. The engine is highly refined and a
minimum noise is heard in the cabin even when it is revved up high. The petrol
is a 2 litre engine producing 240ps and 340 Nm of torque. It is available in
the 3 door version. The chassis is stiff and the steering feels a little dead.
The car is quick with 100 coming up in 8.5 seconds but it does not feel that
quick. Land Rover claims an efficiency of 12.7 kmpl for the diesel.
A low range gearbox is not available with the baby Range
Rover. Instead it makes do with a Land Rover’s high acclaimed Terrain Response
System. It has different settings like grass, gravel, snow, sand, and mud which
can be chosen depending on the terrain. Or it can be left in auto to let the computers
figure out the best setting. The ride on the Evoque is excellent though the
Indian car is more firm. The dampers are filled with a fluid containing
magnetized iron filings which can react in milliseconds to alter the firmness.
On the equipment front, you get a panoramic sunroof, an 8
inch high resolution touch screen and a Meridian sound system, ambient
lighting, parking sensors and a rear parking camera. Unfortunately, the objects
shown on the camera screen are a lot closer than they appear. This will take
getting used to. For safety, you get roll stability control, dynamic stability
control and hill descent control. You also get 7 airbags including a knee
airbag for the driver.
The Evoque, therefore, is for those who want a stylish city
runabout with road presence and a go anywhere ability. But if you think it is
not stylish enough for you, then don’t worry, there is a convertible version
coming soon. Even though it is completely different from its siblings, it is a
proper Range Rover.
