New Range Rover Evoque 2021 pricing and spec detailed: Refreshed luxury SUV range slimmed down to take on Volvo XC60 and BMW X3

Land Rover has revealed a round of important updates and changes to its second-generation Range Rover Evoque, including a revised diesel engine, upgraded safety and a completely new multimedia system.

Due out in the last quarter of this year, the number of Evoque variants dives from 26 at launch in May 2019, down to just four models – the entry-level S P200 petrol (up nearly $4000 to $66,530 before on-road costs), the new SE D200 diesel (replacing the previous D150, D180 and D240 diesel designations), SE P250 petrol and new HSE P250 petrol. At $78,512, the latter usurps the old HSE P300 flagship that cost nearly $15,000 more.

Additionally, all models gain the sporty R-Dynamic pack, which includes an integrated body kit and a racier look. It was previously an option from around $3000 extra.

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Land Rover to simplify model ranges and cull options

Replacing a trio of 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel options (110kW/380Nm D150, 132kW/430Nm D180 and 177kW/500Nm D240), the 150kW/430Nm D200 Ingenium engine features Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology, employing a starter motor, battery pack and 48-volt battery to boost economy as well as performance through regenerative braking.

The 147kW/320Nm P200 and 183kW/365Nm P250 2.0-litre four-pot turbo-petrol engines, meanwhile, remain unchanged, but the fiery 221kW/400Nm P300 has sadly been discontinued.

The rationalisation comes as Land Rover cuts down the at-times bewildering number and complexity of models it markets. As a Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) spokesman put it, the remaining engines “… are the sweet spot in the range”.

The improvements are possible due to the implementation of an all-new electrical system that has been engineered into the Premium Transverse Architecture underpinning all second-generation versions of the Discovery Sport and Evoque since last year.

Like the new Defender, they adopt JLR’s progressive new Pivi and Pivi Pro multimedia system first seen at the CES 2020 in Las Vegas back in January.

Replacing the Touch Pro unit, they are based on the smartphone interface experience, meaning the abolition of complicated sub-menus for three main home-screen functions – Phone, Media and GPS.

The multimedia update is the biggest visual change in the MY21 Evoque, introducing a much-improved user-interface.

Benefits include two-tap accessibility for most tasks, predictive text capability, the ability to learn user habits and preferences to speed things up, ‘smart’ voice guidance that mutes familiar roads and over-the-air software updates, among other advances. In-car Wi-Fi is available, along with eight-device connectivity including two phones at once.

Additionally, the new electrical system has improved screen clarity, surround-view camera capability and ‘Clear Sight Ground View’ for under-bonnet virtual visibility for safer progress over unknown terrain. Plus, JLR’s ‘Wearable Key’ watch means the car key can now be left at home.

Finally, Australians won’t be able to buy what’s shaping up to be some of the more interesting versions of both models – such as the all-new P300e plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), mating a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine up front and an 80kW electric motor mounted on the rear axle.

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Part of the Ingenium modular engine family, the same engine minus the PHEV bits also powers the entry-level P160 grades, but that too has been barred from our shores.

Nor will we see the Discovery Sport Black Edition, which introduces the new P290 grade offering a 213kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol powertrain, capable of reaching 100km/h in 7.4 seconds.

2021 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque pricing before on-road costs: