JLR to axe 3-door Range Rover Evoque

JAGUAR Land Rover is to discontinue the three-door version of its all-conquering Range Rover Evoque.

The Coventry car maker confirmed the news to UK motoring magazine Autocar, suggesting the move was down to slow sales.

The axing of the three-door model comes ahead of the launch of an all-new Evoque, which is likely to be unveiled next year.

Originally launched six years ago, the Evoque was hailed as the vehicle which transformed Jaguar Land Rover’s fortunes in a remarkably short time-frame.

It was judged by many to have hit the spot as a stylish and sporty SUV and helped Jaguar Land Rover’s sales and profits soar.

The three-door model was the most coupe-like and described by some at its launch as the closest thing Land Rover would ever get to a sports car.

Despite the three-door model’s sporty-styling, it was its five-door stablemate which became the bigger seller.

Both models, which have been subject to the customary mid-life makeover, were later joined by a convertible model.

Jaguar Land Rover bosses said both the five-door and convertible models would continue in production ahead of the launch of the all-new model but the three-door version has had its day.

A Land Rover spokesman said: “From the 2019 model year, Land Rover has rationalised its Range Rover Evoque bodystyle offering to concentrate on the five-door model and convertible, which account for the majority of sales.”

Experts at Autocar said discontinuing the three-door was a likely sign there would not be a threedoor version when the all-new version is launched.

Confusingly, although Jaguar Land Rover bosses talk about the 2019 model year, that does not refer to the all-new model.

The 2019 model year version is the one currently being produced.

Due to arrive next year, the allnew Evoque is being tipped to look a lot like the Range Rover Velar.

It is also thought there could also be a mild hybrid version.

Jaguar Land Rover’s latest move is no great surprise, given current automotive industry trends.

There was been a move away from three-door hatchbacks across the board.

Audi and Volkswagen have ditched three-door and coupe variants of the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Scirocco have in the past 18 months, while many models are becoming five-door only.

Ironically the three-door Evoque harked back to the original Range Rover. Launched in 1970, originally the Range Rover was a threedoor vehicle.

It was only developed as a fivedoor vehicle as it evolved.

As part of Land Rover’s 70th anniversary celebrations a special three-door Range Rover was unveiled - and it is being made in Coventry.

The fastest and most expensive Range Rover yet, the Range Rover SV Coupe costs from £240,000.

It is being produced at Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations facility in Ryton-onDunsmore.

No official word has been given on whether the second-generation Evoque will be available as a threedoor, but it’s now almost certain that it will not be.

This week Jaguar Land Rover announced it was making a major investment in its Halewood plant on Merseyside to produce the allnew Evoque.