Tuesday 6th March 2012

Geneva 2012: Range Rover Evoque Convertible

Soft-top Evoque concept shown at Geneva to 'gauge public reaction'

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Land Rover has unveiled its latest take on the Evoque theme with this Convertible concept at the Geneva motor show.

Design to "explore the potential for the world's first premium convertible SUV", the concept is based on the Range Rover Evoque coupe (read: three-door), and features a "fully retractable premium roof system with a Roll Over Protection System". We're not sure what a premium roof is, but there you go. We do know that it has a conventional fabric hood rather than a folding hard-top, however.

"The Evoque lends itself beautifully to the idea of a convertible," says Land Rover Design Director, Gerry McGovern. "This study is not a traditional convertible design execution - instead we have worked with the balance of the Evoque's lines to retain its distinctive shape and create something that is unique and, we believe, highly desirable."

"We want to build on the Evoque's success. We see this as a natural progression. We create new segments with our products and see this as a chance to do it again. This is a design and engineering study and we'll gauge the public and press reaction. Open-top driving in a Range Rover will be a completely different experience."

If the drop-top Evoque does make it to production, engineers say they need around two years to get it ready for sale in showrooms, but reckon on adding only around 75kg in weight over the coupe version.

[TobesH]

I don't like it...

[Fetchez la vache]

Land Rover Design Director Gerry McGovern according to marketing said:

The Evoque lends itself beautifully to the idea of a convertible

what Land Rover Design Director Gerry McGovern really said said:

fk it, how bad could it possibly look?

[PGM]

Quite amusing to see that wading across a dirty river

[F1GTRUeno]

PGM said:

Quite amusing to see that wading across a dirty river

Really would look like a floating bathtub.

[MrDarkBlack]

Sat in that, you'd look like a gangsta in LA, riding around in their lowriders, with just your heads showing above the door.

[andyr300]

Looks good, almost like a giant convertible mini.

Imagine it looks awful with the roof up though!?

[Doshy]

Just wrong and a tad camp.

[soad]

TobesH said:

I don't like it...

Neither do I.

[Cotty]

MrDarkBlack said:

Sat in that, you'd look like a gangsta in LA, riding around in their lowriders, with just your heads showing above the door.

Perfect for nipping around in Chelsea then

[RossP]

I quite like it!

[m44kts]

I quite like it too.

[Arun_D]

Looks positively beautiful when compared to that Bentley SUV thing.

[unrepentant]

I hope they make it. We'll sell loads. Ker....ching!!!

[gafsol65]

I'm sure it'll sell. I even quite like the looks but a "sports utility vehicle" it is most definitely not!

[kaliber]

I just dont get who its meant for?

you want a 4x4 or a soft roader then fair enough get the hard top. but really, who thinks i like having a car that looks like a 4 wheel drive but the roof comes down aswell. just doesnt make any sense.

But then i guess there might be enough people out there to warrant it. Everyone is entitled to their own opion i guess

[unrepentant]

kaliber said:

I just dont get who its meant for?

you want a 4x4 or a soft roader then fair enough get the hard top. but really, who thinks i like having a car that looks like a 4 wheel drive but the roof comes down aswell. just doesnt make any sense.

Hmm...........

[Bash Brannigan]

kaliber said:

I just dont get who its meant for?

you want a 4x4 or a soft roader then fair enough get the hard top. but really, who thinks i like having a car that looks like a 4 wheel drive but the roof comes down aswell. just doesnt make any sense.

But then i guess there might be enough people out there to warrant it. Everyone is entitled to their own opion i guess

I'm guessing that it's meant for this guy:

[Turbodiesel1690]

FFS, thats an affront to the Range Rover brand

[crofty1984]

gafsol65 said:

I'm sure it'll sell. I even quite like the looks but a "sports utility vehicle" it is most definitely not!

I agree.

It'd be st offroad, but I'd imagine less than 1% of them will ever get muddy. So why not treat it like it is? It's an expensive hatchback, with lots of styling cues from an existing and popular car which will sell well. People in the market for things like this (I'm basically talking the MINI and Fiat 500 here) also like convertibles, so why not make them one?
It's not a proper old-school Range Rover, but if you want one of those, buy one.

[RichTBiscuit]

Ah Ok. Here's my 'public reaction'



Stab stab, kill, kill,



take it away!