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Range Rover Evoque 2019 revealed


The second-generation Range Rover Evoque has been revealed, with the British brand claiming the new version is “the luxury SUV for the city and beyond”.

Bearing more than a passing resemblance to a three-quarter scale Range Rover Velar, the new Evoque manages to remain true to the original concept, with a sleek design, compact tapered glasshouse and Transformers-style muscularity - though it has been toned down in line with the brand’s current design philosophy.

Under the wheel arches you’ll see wheels up to 21-inches in size, while there are new styling elements such as slimline matrix LED headlights and the pop-out flush-fit door handles and a broad tail-light and blackened garnish at the rear. That’s arguably where it looks most like a Velar. 

The fact Range Rover has only shown five-door versions of the Evoque gives you an idea that there won’t be a three-door for the second-generation model. A convertible? Well, we’ll see. 

There are big changes inside the cabin as well, with a longer wheelbase offering more space for back seat occupants, and the dashboard design is familiar if you’ve seen any other Range Rover models in recent times. 

The brand’s Touch Pro Duo system that pairs two 10.0-inch high-definition screens to control media and ventilation among other things, and there’s a 12.3-inch display in front of the driver. It’s not clear if all of this comes as standard, just yet, but it’s believed Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be. The media system and other software systems in the car are capable of over-the-air updates, too.

Other technology on offer includes what Land Rover is calling ClearSight Ground View, a system that works to “make the bonnet invisible”. There are cameras in the grille and door mirrors which combine to project what they’re seeing onto the screen, to show what’s ahead and below the front of the car. 

There’s also a tech “smart rear-view mirror”, using a camera at the rear to eliminate rearward vision interruptions such as backseat passengers or luggage. It has been designed so it shouldn’t get muddy, too - there’s a protective lip and a hydrophobic coating, but if it were to be dirty, drivers can simply touch the screen and it’ll return to being an actual mirror.

Boot space has been increased by 10 per cent, according to the brand, with 591 litres of cargo capacity - increasing to 1383L with the 40:20:40 rear seats are folded down. 

As for drivetrains, customers can expect a mix of four-cylinder turbocharged petrol (up to 221kW/400Nm) and turbo-diesel engines, as well as a mild-hybrid model with a 48-volt electric system offered - that system uses brake energy recuperation and can use a battery to accelerate up to 17km/h. A plug-in hybrid Evoque has been confirmed for 2019, too, and globally there’ll be three-cylinder engines on offer - but don’t expect them here in the short term.

  • We can expect a mix of four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines, turbo-diesels, and a mild-hybrid model with a 48-volt electric system. We can expect a mix of four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines, turbo-diesels, and a mild-hybrid model with a 48-volt electric system.
  • The 48-volt mild hybrid system will use brake energy recuperation and a battery to accelerate up to 17km/h. The 48-volt mild hybrid system will use brake energy recuperation and a battery to accelerate up to 17km/h.
  • A three-cylinder plug-in hybrid Evoque has been confirmed for 2019, but don’t expect them here in the short term. A three-cylinder plug-in hybrid Evoque has been confirmed for 2019, but don’t expect them here in the short term.
  • You can expect the Evoque to come with a nine-speed ZF automatic transmission. You can expect the Evoque to come with a nine-speed ZF automatic transmission.
  • All-wheel-drive is expected as standard, with a new ‘Active Driveline’ which can disengage rear-wheel drive in low pressure situations. All-wheel-drive is expected as standard, with a new ‘Active Driveline’ which can disengage rear-wheel drive in low pressure situations.

You can expect nine-speed ZF automatic transmissions for the most part, and because it’s a Rangie, there is the expected “all-terrain capability with all-weather assurance.” 

All-wheel-drive is expected as standard, with a new ‘Active Driveline’ which can disengage rear-wheel drive in low pressure situations. 

There’ll also be the Terrain Response 2 system that can detect the surface under the tyres and adjust the relevant settings, or the driver can select from Comfort, Sand, Grass-Gravel-Snow, and Mud & Ruts.

Wading depth has been improved to 600mm (was 500mm), and because you need to know, it has 212mm ground clearance, a 25-degree approach angle and a 30.6deg departure angle.

And on the safety front, consumer can expect a standard-fit reversing camera, as well as adaptive cruise control with steering assist. Lane keep assist, driver fatigue monitoring and auto emergency braking (AEB) are likely to be fitted to all Evoque variants.

The all-new model replaces the first ever Evoque, which made its debut way back in 2010. Over that time, more than 775,000 examples have been sold worldwide, and Range Rover claims that it created the compact luxury SUV segment.

“Eight years ago we created a new segment and the world followed,” said Finbar McFall, global marketing director of Jaguar Land Rover. “Now we have redefined what it means to be a luxury compact SUV.”

Australian orders are already open to customers, with pricing starting at $64,640 plus on-road costs for the Range Rover Evoque 2019 TD4 150 S automatic AWD model. There’ll be S, SE, HSE and R-Dynamic models offered.

Full pricing and specifications are set to be revealed closer to the vehicle’s arrival.

Do you think the second-gen Evoque is a fitting replacement for a modern classic? Tell us in the comments below.

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