13. The new is repeating its Range Rover Evoque predecessor’s accomplishments

With its predecessor a global success, the second-generation Range Rover Evoque makes a tricky debut. How do you repeat that accomplishment? Through “reductive design”, that’s how.

It’s the “difficult second album” syndrome… How does one follow up a debut that was a bona fide, groundbreaking original? Do you go with option one: more of the same? Or two: another leap into the unknown?

Because when it was launched back in 2011, the Evoque not only took the

Range Rover brand into new, smaller territory, but it was an altogether more svelte and stylish execution of the design DNA sported by its elder siblings – the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. Nearly 800 000 Evoques later, you can see why making the right call on a successor was such a biggie for the crew over in Whitley, Coventry.

The person making that call is Land Rover chief design officer Gerry McGovern and he’s gone for the first option. While that may seem the safe route, his more-evolutionary-than-revolutionary approach completely echoes the new

Evoque’s engineering. More sophisticated and refined would describe the new car with an all-new chassis that’s 13% stiffer than its predecessor and a range of four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines that transfer power through smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmissions.

Matching those mechanics, Gerry’s gang have chosen subtle styling refinements and, being designers, they’ve had to give it an impressive-sounding name. “Reductive design” is their expensive descriptor for what’s basically a less-is-more approach.

And what that means is the Evoque’s familiar sporty, coupé-like silhouette remains

with its distinctive sloping roofline and rising beltline, but shining the light directly reveals details of a body that is now tighter and ultra clean with no extraneous creases. Much like its Velar stablemate, all the surfaces are now smoother with flowing curves rather than sharp creases, as well as flush door handles and glazing.

The theme continues inside with a minimalist, modern-luxe interior of sharp lines, plush leather and alloy-trimmed surfaces.

It’s dominated by the two crisp, clear Touch Pro Duo touchscreens stacked above one another that are both intuitive to operate and provide access to a swathe of infotainment tech that includes

Apple CarPlay and a 4G WiFi hotspot capable of supporting up to eight devices.

“For me, this car is about its charm, it is about its character,” said Gerry at the Evoque’s launch in London. “It’s a vehicle that clearly resonated with people before, and I think the new one will continue to do that.”

And we agree. Gerry has nailed the brief and even with stiffer competition in the small boutique crossover segment from the likes of Volvo, Lexus and the Germans, this second album should prove to be another global hit. landrover.co.za