Range Rover Evoque Paris debut
22.09.2010 - Martin Gurdon
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The three-door baby Range Rover Evoque is making its official debut at the Paris Motor Show.
The Evoque has been widely trailed by Land Rover as a concept car at international motor shows. It pushes the Range Rover brand into the compact lifestyle car market for the first time and will cost from about £30,000.
Its launch means that for the first time ever a two-wheel drive Range Rover-badged car will be offered, as the Evoque has both two- and four-wheel drive options. Range Rover claims the latter will have strong off-road capabilities.
The car will feature stop & start engine systems, direct-injection 2.2-litre diesel motors and electric power steering. Range Rover is claiming that some front-wheel drive versions will return 58mpg and produce under 130g of CO2/km.
There will also be a 2-litre turbo variable valve petrol performance model capable of reaching 60mph in 7.1 seconds.
The car takes styling elements familiar in models like the Range Rover Sport, such as wing-mounted side air intakes and distinctive grille and lamp cluster shapes, and applies them to a much smaller package.
The Evoque gives its makers a product for existing owners who want to downsize, and a rival to a wide range of lifestyle small cars, like the just-launched Mini Countryman.
Features include adaptive headlamps, keyless ignition, leather interior with a rear passenger entertainment system, touch screen controls, park assist and five digital cameras.
The Evoque will reach showrooms next summer.
