Land Rover revealed the new compact Range Rover, confirming it will be called Evoque.
That's 'Evoke' in common parlance, an entirely new badge for the marque. With the car, Range Rover is keen to entice customers looking for a premium off-road experience who are put off by large vehicles with gas-guzzling traits.
For a celebrity unveiling of the Evoque for the first time, the company enlisted the help of Spice Girl Victoria Beckham. She reportedly had a hand in the car's interior design, and arguably best represents the kind of upwardly-mobile, style conscious person it is hoped will buy the car.
Comparable in size to a Land Rover Freelander, the Evoque breaks with Range Rover tradition and is offered in 2-wheel drive form. Combined with the lighter weight and simplified drivetrain, that makes this car the lowest-emitting model from the family yet: Range Rover is touting an inexact figure of sub-130g/km of CO2.
The Evoque's production is to create 1,000 new jobs at Land Rover's award winning manufacturing plant in Halewood, Liverpool. The Evoque is a 'global' car to be sold in over 160 countries, with the US market set firmly in its sights, as customers there feel the fuel price squeeze and downsize from gargantuan 4x4s and SUVs.
Design-wise, the car stays true to the original LRX concept, first seen back at Geneva in 2008. Initially, the Evoque will be offered as a three-door coupe only, although a five-door variant is already in the works. It will join the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport as only the third bodystyle in the marques long history.
Phil Popham, managing director of Land Rover said: "Range Rover is one of the most highly regarded and iconic vehicles in the history of motoring and has been a continuing success since we first introduced it in 1970. The all-new Range Rover Evoque, is an important step for the future continued success and growth of the brand. Customers can be confident that the new car will be premium, luxurious and just as special as the other Range Rover models. Its sporting looks and unique qualities will open the brand to a new group of customers who may not have considered a Range Rover product before.
"It was important to give the car a name that was instantly recognisable through language and cultural boundaries throughout the world. We wanted to create a new name which was innovative and different. A name which implies exclusivity and arouses emotions. Evoque is cosmopolitan and cross-continental, sophisticated and matches the car's urban elegance," he added.
Gerry McGovern, Land Rover design director said: "The all-new Range Rover Evoque marks a bold evolution of Range Rover design, providing customers with a desirable, premium and compact car like SUV. In 2008 we introduced the LRX concept car: after a positive reception worldwide, the natural step for the business was to turn the LRX concept car into reality."
McGovern concluded, "The all-new Range Rover Evoque will resonate with customers on an emotional level. Its unique silhouette accentuated by the distinctive falling roof and dramatic rising waistline creates a modern and relevant execution of the familiar Range Rover design language. This car makes a powerful statement of the Range Rover's brand intent to appeal to a wider audience."
The Range Rover Evoque will make its global public debut at the Paris Motor Show at the end of September, and will go on sale from next summer. |
