NEW RANGE ROVER EVOQUE ARRIVES

Following its debut in the UK late last year and the release of the Australian range info and pricing in April, the new 2020 Range Rover Evoque has arrived.

While the new Evoque range essentially covers three options – S, SE and HSE – the addition of R-Dynamic variants to both and up to six different drivetrain options mean there are 26 distinct grades to choose, including a pair of limited-availability ‘First Edition’ versions.

While it looks largely similar to the outgoing version, the new Evoque has been treated to a number of styling tweaks, but the bigger changes are under the skin, where an all-new architecture has been employed.

New Bones, New Efficiency

Sharing virtually nothing with the previous generation, the new Evoque chassis – Premium Transverse Architecture, in Land Rover speak – has a similar overall footprint, but is stiffer by 13 per cent and increases wheelbase length for more interior space, including 20mm more rear seat knee room and a 10 per cent increase in cargo space thanks in part to a wider load area, but mostly due to a new rear suspension design. With the rear seats occupied, there’s 591 litres of space (previously 575lt), expanding to 1,383 litres with the seats folded.

The body also features a new B- and C-pillar design for easier passenger entry, along with improvements in centre console and dash storage.

Most importantly, the new architecture has been designed with hybridisation in mind. A 48-volt mild-hybrid (MHEV) is available, with a more efficient plug-in hybrid (PHEV) due for release in approximately 12 months’ time.

The MHEV system is a Land Rover first that uses an engine-mounted starter generator to harvest energy lost under deceleration, storing it in an underfloor battery. When the Evoque drops under 17km/h, the combustion engine shuts off when the brakes are applied. On acceleration, the stored energy in the battery is used to assist the conventional engine and reduce fuel consumption.

While this will deliver some gains in overall fuel consumption, the upcoming PHEV version will see more substantial improvements in fuel economy.

Power Plus

While the hybrid is a major talking point, Land Rover hasn’t abandoned conventional engines, with the new Evoque available with a range of petrol and diesel powerplants under the familiar ‘Ingenium’ banner.

All Ingenium engines have been advanced, with “new technologies” to make them quieter and more refined, while the Evoque’s standard ZF nine-speed automatic gearbox has been recalibrated to ensure what Land Rover call a smoother, more progressive drive on all terrains.

Power outputs start with the D150, which is the base 2.0-litre turbo-diesel and produces 110kW and 380Nm. The D180 increases outputs to 132kW and 430Nm, while the D240 produces 177kW and 500Nm from the same 2.0-litre capacity.

Of the petrol Ingenium engines, all are 2.0-litre turbos of four-cylinder capacity, with the mildest being the P200 spec that produces 147kW and 320Nm. Step up to the P250 version and outputs increase to 183kW and 365Nm, while the top-sec P300 delivers 221kW and 400Nm.

All engine options are matched to a nine-speed automatic.

Still Capable

While it’s undeniably a city SUV, the new Evoque still retains Land Rover’s signature off-road capability. All-wheel drive is standard on all model grades, along with All-Terrain Progress Control, Gradient Release Control and Hill Descent Control. The previously optional Terrain Response 2 system is now standard for the first time on an Evoque.

On SE and HSE grades, the new ‘Active Driveline’ is standard, too, which controls torque distribution between the front axle and each rear wheel independently, essentially allowing a locking rear diff on the rear axle for off-road use and a torque vectoring function for tarmac.

The latest version of Terrain Response 2 carries the familiar four selectable modes of Comfort, Sand, Grass-Gravel-Snow and Mud & Ruts, but adds a new Auto mode that, as the name suggests, automatically adjusts torque delivery to suit the terrain.

The ClearSight Ground View technology is a world first and a particularly handy feature for off-road use, particularly when picking through rocky or rutted trails. Cameras in the grille and side mirrors show a 180-degree view of the path ahead under the vehicle, displaying this imagery on the upper touchscreen of the Touch Pro Duo system so the driver can pick the most appropriate lines.

Ground clearance on the new Evoque is 212mm, with approach and departure angles of 25 degrees and 30.6 degrees respectively, while an increase in wading depth to 600mm also aids any adventures off the beaten track.

In circumstances on tarmac where AWD isn’t required, a new front axle Power Transfer Unit decouples the driveline from the rear axle, but can re-engage AWD in less than 400 milliseconds.

Another new feature is the ‘smart rear-view mirror’ that can transform the entire mirror into a video screen (for a rear-mounted camera) when rearward vision is blocked by luggage or passengers.

Luxury and Sustainable Options

While the options list for the new Evoque is as long as your arm, a couple stand out, including the ‘Kvadrat’ wool-blend cloth and Miko suedecloth trim that are vegan options to leather, while Dinamica suedecloth is made from recycled plastic bottles.

Options can also be purchased as packs, including a Drive Pack that adds extra active safety tech, the Park Pack with more parking assist technologies and an Interior Luxury Pack which adds more leather trim to the cabin. Most of these option packs are for the S and SE grades, as the HSE is already equipped with the majority of features that are optional on the lower grades.

The bulk of the new Range Rover Evoque range is available now. See your Land Rover / Range Rover dealer for details.