Range Rover’s new Evoque arrives in Sri Lanka

The Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover’s new SUV has arrived in Sri Lanka. The vehicle, smallest, lightest, most fuel-efficient Range Rover ever produced, won 34 international awards in the three months after its first production model came off the line in September 2011 and received more than 20,000 advance orders before it made its showroom debut in the UK.

The new Evoque is also Land Rover’s most eco-friendly drive, with its 2.2-litre 150hp Diesel engine emitting only 145g/km of CO2. A 190hp diesel engine and a 2.0-litre Si4 turbo charged petrol engine producing 240hp are also available

The Evoque has been described as ‘one of the most desirable cars that money can buy’ for its concept car looks, lightweight technologies and the capability to deliver 50mpg fuel economy, while retaining the agility and terrain capability characteristic of a true Range Rover.

“The Range Rover Evoque is easily the most talked of new vehicle in decades,” said Sheran Fernando, CEO of Frontier Automotive, the sole agent in Sri Lanka for Land Rover and Range Rover. “Its bold, mould-breaking styling is an evolution of Range Rover design language, while its driving dynamics are reinforced with the class-leading all-weather, all-surface capability of the legendary Land Rover Terrain Response™ feature.”

He said the entry price of Rs 15.2 million excluding VAT makes the Range Rover Evoque the most affordable Range Rover in the market, with a choice of two body styles, three design themes and a range of options and accessories.

By November 2011, the Range Rover Evoque had been named Best Compact SUV as well as Car of the Year by Britain’s biggest- selling motoring magazine Auto Express; Scottish Car of the Year and Best Compact SUV by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers; 2011 Car of the Year by Stuff magazine; and 2011 Car of the Year by the BBC’S Topgear magazine, for which it beat competition from the BMW 1 Series M, Mclaren MP4 12c, the Ferrari FF and the VW Up!.

Additionally, the Evoque had been adjudged Production Car Design of the Year 2010 by Car Design News following a review of its groundbreaking design, and was awarded a coveted MSN Cars 5-star car review before it went in to commercial production.

The Evoque was also awarded a Euro NCAP 5-star safety rating by the European New Car Assessment Programme in November 2011.

Among the first recipients of the Range Rover Evoque were Princess Zara Phillips, a Land Rover Ambassador, Victoria Beckham, who worked as a consultant for its interior trims and finishes, and the British Motor Industry Heritage trust, which was presented the first car to come off the line at Land Rover’s Halewood, UK manufacturing plant.

The Range Rover Evoque is available in three design themes, Pure, Prestige and Dynamic, and 16 tailored designer interiors, together with a selection of metal finishes, wood veneers and contrasting head- lining colours. To heighten the handcrafted feel, a full soft leather interior can be specified with twin-needle stitching.

The design themes are supported by an extensive range of bespoke accessories specifically designed for the Evoque, and an exceptional range of personalisation options. Both the 5-Door and the coupé can be specified to suit individual tastes and lifestyles through a range of colour and feature combinations.

Designer exterior packs provide contrasting colours for the roof and front and rear spoilers, and there are eight alloy wheel designs, from 17 to 20inch. A panoramic glass roof is available, together with roof rails (in black or chrome finish) and illuminated chrome and aluminium tread plates.

For sound enthusiasts, the Range Rover Evoque offers an 825W Meridian audio system.

Frontier Automotive (Pvt) Ltd has been the sole representative in Sri Lanka for Land Rover and Ranger Rover since 2003.