Range Rover Evoque SD4 Prestige LUX Automatic 3dr Coupé

By Tim Barnes-Clay On October 16, 2012

JAGUAR LAND ROVER is a key player within the UK economy. It is the largest investor in automotive research, development and engineering in this country and it generates billions of pounds of economic activity every year.

1,500 new jobs have been created to support the launch of the Evoque, and Jaguar Land Rover is investing in advanced research, design and technical innovation with key partners, which will mean the creation of thousands more skilled jobs in the UK automotive supply chain.

It comes as no surprise then that the Range Rover Evoque is attracting so much attention. And rightly so, because the car blends premium levels of craftsmanship, economy, luxury, performance and renowned Land Rover all-terrain capability into a shrink-wrapped package.

Aesthetically, the Evoque certainly marks a bold evolution of Range Rover design. With a striking rising beltline, a muscular shoulder running the length of the car, and a distinctive taper to the floating roofline, the motor adopts an extremely vibrant profile with a commanding and muscular stance. Inside, the cabin delivers exactly what you would expect; sumptuous surroundings with premium quality materials and an elegance befitting of a Range Rover interior.

Rather than using a traditional trim hierarchy, the Range Rover Evoque gives you the choice of three design themes: the cool and contemporary ‘Pure’, the luxurious ‘Prestige’, on test here, and the bold and sporting ‘Dynamic’. My SD4 Prestige LUX Automatic 3dr Coupé version came with a silver exterior, a panoramic roof, leather seats and a grey oakwood and brushed aluminium trim. Under the hood lurked a 2.2 litre turbo diesel engine married to a six-speed, creamy smooth automatic transmission.

Behind the wheel, you feel confident and comfortable. Despite the low roofline, visibility all round is very good, and the car feels powerful and balanced at motorway speeds with very little roll on more twisty routes. Of course, as a true Range Rover, the Evoque delivers all-weather, all-surface capability too, which is enhanced by the company’s signature Terrain ResponseTM system.

The standard four-wheel-drive transmission is an innovative full-time intelligent assembly which continuously varies the front/rear torque split to deliver optimum grip and balance for the current driving conditions. The car also has generous ground clearance and a better breakover angle, approach angle and departure angle than other premium compact SUVs.

The Evoque will undoubtedly tempt rural based motorists who need this kind of vehicle to get around, as well as a new generation of business executives who want an SUV that delivers oodles of style.

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