BABY RR VELAR HAS ARRIVED
A refreshed version of Range Rover’s compact SUV has arrived
THE original Range Rover Evoque rocked the premium compact SUV market almost a decade ago with its daring look inspired by the LRX Concept, and now it’s time for the remake, which has just docked in South Africa.
The second-generation Evoque’s design forges an evolutionary path, while also taking some “smooth” inspiration from the Range Rover Velar with its flush lines, hidden door handles and full-length tail-light housing.
Built on a new mixed-material platform that’s 13 percent stiffer than before, the new SUV is a similar size to its predecessor but a 21mm longer wheelbase brings more interior space, while luggage capacity grows by 10 percent to 591 litres.
On the technological front, the Evoque offers interesting new gadgetry. If you venture off-road, you can make use of the ClearSight Ground View system with which front-mounted cameras give you a view – through the central touch screen – of what’s underneath the front of the vehicle, while the ClearSight digital rear-view mirror uses cameras to show you what’s behind.
DID WE MENTION OFF-ROADING?
Yes, as much as some might want to make pavement-hopping jokes about the smallest “Chelsea Tractor”, the Evoque is equipped for medium-level off-roading, with permanent all-wheeldrive fitted as standard, along with Terrain Response 2, which offers four modes: Comfort, Sand, Grass-GravelSnow, and Mud & Ruts.
Ground clearance is quite generous at 212mm, while the approach and departure angles are listed at 30.6 and 25 degrees respectively. More relevant for your daily grind is what powers the Evoque, and there is a choice between a pair of 2-litre “Ingenium” engines, in petrol or diesel. The petrol unit produces 183kW and 365Nm, and gets you from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds, while the diesel unit is good for 132kW and 430Nm, with 100 coming up in 9.3 seconds. Both are mated to ZF nine-speed automatic gearboxes.
VELAR VIBES INSIDE TOO
The Evoque’s cleaner-looking cabin also gets some Velar glamour, with the company’s new Touch Duo electronic interface, with a separate lower screen for the climate control functions, being standard from the SE grade upwards. As an option, Land Rover is offering an interesting and eco-friendly alternative to leather seats. Developed by Kvadrat, it mixes a durable wool blend with a “technical Dinamica suede-cloth” made from recycled plastic bottles.
Talking model grades, the Evoque has a more affordable base price than before – the range also now starts at R734 300 – thanks to the inclusion of base and S trims that weren’t previously available.
RANGE AND FEATURES
The base version is fitted with a 25.4cm single touch-screen infotainment system with reverse camera, and other standard features include push-button start, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, ambient lighting, front- and rear-parking aids, Driver Condition Monitor and Lane Keep Assist.On the outside, LED headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels are fitted as standard.
Upgrade to the S and you get ebony leather seats with 10-way adjustment upfront, as well as Navigation Pro with 3D maps.
However, the real fun starts with the SE, on which you get the dual-screen Touch Pro Duo electronic interface, along with a digital instrument cluster, powered tailgate and 14-way electric adjustment for the front seats. On the outside you’ll be able to tell it apart by its 20-inch alloy wheels, Premium LED headlights with the “Signature” daytime running lights, animated indicators and “Signature” tail lights.
Things get even more lavish if you opt for the HSE, with two-tone perforated Windsor leather seats (now featuring 16-way seat adjustment), upgraded Meridian sound system, keyless entry, Blind Spot Monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go.
The R-Dynamic design pack comes as standard on the HSE too, although you can optionally specify it with the S and SE grades. As per tradition, a first edition is also offered, with its own unique mix of features.