Range Rover’s Evoque, the entry-level model within the brand’s lineup, has been a great success for carmaker Land Rover. Based on the LRX concept, this compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) is not just attractive, but surefooted, too, as it is equipped with the brand’s Terrain Response system, which helps the Evoque conquer a variety of surfaces. Indeed, the Evoque was so compelling that we voted it Car of the Year in the 2011 Straits Times-Torque Awards.
Land Rover, however, isn’t sitting on its laurels and proof of its continuing efforts is this updated model seen here. The Dynamic variant we tested (the sportiest-looking of the three available variants) also comes with the optional Black Styling Pack. For an additional $20k, the Evoque will be fitted with components that include 20-inch Gloss Black Finish wheels, black “Range Rover” badges, black exhaust finishers and smoked headlamps.
The most important upgrade to the Evoque is the new 9-speed automatic transmission from ZF. Compared to the pre-facelift model, which has 6-speed automatic, this new gearbox is not only 7.5kg lighter but more compact, too. More significantly, Land Rover says that the wider spread of forward ratios enhances both driveability and efficiency.
More ratios result in smaller “steps” between each gearshift, so shift times are shortened. During expressway runs, the additional ratios also allow the Evoque to cruise at a lower engine speed, which helps improve fuel economy. Land Rover claims a combined consumption figure of 12.8km per litre (up from 11.5km per litre previously) and CO2 emission of 181g/km (a reduction of 18g/km).
Also helping boost efficiency is the new Active Driveline system that decouples power from the rear axle at speeds above 35km/h. But when the system senses a loss of grip, it can send power to the rear wheels within 300 milliseconds, or about as fast as one can blink. The Evoque is the first Range Rover model to be fitted with this.
Indeed, the Active Driveline system operates so unobtrusively that if Land Rover hadn’t mentioned it, most drivers wouldn’t know it was there. The same, however, can’t be said of the new gearbox. While the 9-speed auto is fluid when left in “D” or “S”, there is some shift shock when utilising the manual override function – even if the Terrain Response isn’t set to Dynamic mode.
The latest Evoque is definitely “greener”, but its gains in economy might have come at the expense of driveability.
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE 1999cc, 16-valves, inline-4,
turbocharged
MAX POWER 240bhp at 5500rpm
MAX TORQUE 340Nm at 1750rpm
GEARBOX 9-speed automatic with manual select
0-100KM/H 7.6 seconds
TOP SPEED 217km/h
CONSUMPTION 12.8km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 181g/km
PRICE INCL. COE
$299,999 (no CEVS rebate/surcharge)
ALSO AVAILABLE
Evoque Pure, Evoque Prestige
