Compact crossover familiar but packs a bit more style
LONDON OK, it might be more than a slight oversimplification to say that Jaguar Land Rover’s design team, assigned the second generation of the compact Range Rover Evoque at, say, 9 a.m., had it knocked off by 3 p.m., in time to get home for afternoon tea. But they had a far easier task than those who penned the original.
This new version of the successful and stylish crossover — global sales of more than 772,000 since its debut in 2010 — is very much an evolutionary reworking, particularly to the untrained eye.
“The Evoque has such a distinctive DNA that people love,” notes Gerry McGovern, Land Rover’s chief design officer. “We had to make (the new one) better without disturbing that DNA.”
This means the upcoming 2020 model — arriving at dealerships in late spring — is instantly recognizable as an Evoque, thanks to the retention of distinctive sloped roofline and rising belt line, key identifiers of the crossover specifically and the brand generally.
And it is extremely attractive, with an almost Tesla-like design simplicity to its profile, accentuated by flush door handles (first seen on the Velar) and side mouldings, tighter panel gaps, pronounced “shoulders” and wheel arches that, in addition to the optional 21-inch wheels, connote an intentional athletic dynamism. The introduction of new slim LED headlights and tail lights are the most noticeable departures from the first Evoque.
There’s more familiarity under the hood as well, with one noteworthy addition. Power is provided by an updated, quieter and less thirsty version of the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium gas engine, now offered in both mild and caliente strengths. The Evoque P250 gets 246 horsepower, while the P300 sees the turbo-four goosed to 296 hp. Both engines are mated to a nine-speed ZF automatic transmission. In addition, the P300 comes fitted with a 48-volt mild-hybrid (MHEV ) system to go along with the gas engine.
Although not scheduled for Canada at this time, some markets will see a full plug-in electric version of the crossover late in 2019. A 1.5-L three-cylinder gas engine is assisted by an 11.3 kWh lithium-ion battery pack in conjunction with a 107-hp electric motor.
With metrics showing many current Evoque owners being both “tech savvy” and environmentally aware, Land Rover is forecasting that 90 per cent of sales of the new model will be either PHEV or MHEV versions.
The sheet metal might look familiar but the body structure beneath is all new, or at least 99.9 per cent. Apparently, only the door hinges are carried over from the previous model.
The Evoque is all-wheel-driveonly and comes with standard driveline disconnect.
Inside, designers reworked the cabin with a minimalist yet digital aspect in mind. With a thought to sustainability, alternatives to the usual leather include “technical” seat textiles such as a Kvadrat wool blend and Dinamica suedecloth, as well as a eucalyptus textile and Ultrafabrics that use natural materials and recycled plastics. Incorporated technologies include the optional twintouch screen InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, 16-way adjustable front seats and cabin air ionization.
Additional details on the 2020 Evoque, including pricing, will be announced at the 2019 Montreal Auto Show in January.
The 2019 Evoque has a base price of $49,900.