RE: Range Rover Evoque MY14: Review

[hilly10]

Just been reading the What Car review and it states the new active driveline is only available on the patrol version till later in 2014. So LD sell far more diesel than petrol in the Uk and will cater for the American market first where they sell only the petrol. Its been buried somewhere in the blurb but its the first time i have heard it.

[oldtimer2]

jonott said:

oldtimer2 said:

(my wife likes about six feet available with the seats folded flat).

I bet she does...;)

Edited by jonott on Wednesday 13th November 20:42

Got to get the priorities right

[AC43]

MrGeoff said:

AC43 said:

A wealthy neighbour if mine recently wandered into a RR showroom and ended up buying one of these in impulse when he saw the waiting lists for RR's and RR Sports.

It never occurred to him it would have a four pot diesel. Imagine his surprise when it was delivered and fired up.

Don't think he'll have it for too long.

Just about sums up the kind of owners of these cars. It's nothing personal of these kinds of vehicles I'm sure they're nice to drive but whenever I see one I can't help make assumptions based on the person behind the wheel.

Exactly. He has a 997 for himself and had a Fiat 500 for the nanny or whatever. Fancied a new trinket, saw an Evoque and bought it.

I can see why - it appeals to me too, especially the interior. I personally would just prefer one with a four pot petrol or a diesel multi. As, evidently, would he. More in keeping with the compact luxury package IMHO.

Not knocking them, just thought it quite funny that someone could accidentally buy the wrong car for his needs/preferences.

[Cable]

dukebox9reg said:

Just thought I'd post a couple of the VB Evoque I borrowed. Obviously rose gold isn't to everyones taste

Edited by dukebox9reg on Wednesday 13th November 15:00

I assume this was the original demo car? Was amazed the the first time I saw it in the design studio; never would I have thought an Evoque could look so mean.

[Escort Si-130]

Surprised ZF gearboxes are being used more and more in cars. They have been common in buses and trucks for years. All of the traits you mention with this ZF box seems common across their range

[loudlashadjuster]

Escort Si-130 said:

Surprised ZF gearboxes are being used more and more in cars. They have been common in buses and trucks for years. All of the traits you mention with this ZF box seems common across their range

They've always been common in cars too, it's just now they're getting more exposure due to internets, their own PR, the increased sub-contract/JV nature of the industry or some other reason.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

rtz62 said:

hilly10 said:

rtz62 said:

11.4% better fuel economy.
Probably on the computer-controlled rolling road that diesnt resemble any road known to man...
Due to its 'association' with the talentless, style-over-substance Victoria Beckham, I class this car as 'motoring smeg' (sorry to any delicate Beckham family readers, although to be fair they'll only be looking at the pictures....)

The only association Mrs Beckham had with the Evoque was that she gave some advice on a ltd edition interior. I think some people think she designed the whole car

Fully aware of that my friend ; my allusion was more to the fact that she is famous for being famous, rather than any natural (singing, designing) talent she may think she has.
It's quite obvious that she's not a Gordon Murray, Peter Stevens (gender aside) etc, and that the use of her name is a marketing tool.
Can't wait for the edition with Swarowski headlights, Denby Pottery switches, Ekorn Stressless recliner seats, etc

You couldn't be more (stereotypically) wrong.

You might not care for Victoria Beckham (many don't), but what she has achieved with her brand is something very special & a great British success story.

Go into any high end designer store & her fashion line is now as highly regarded as many other traditional French/Italian brands & way above many more established houses.

When you consider where she's come from (the footballers wife who couldn't sing) it's an amazing accomplishment.

Yes, she's used her celebrity status to her advantage (though no more than Stella McCartney or donatella Versace for example) & yes she's thrown plenty of money at it but her company is genuinely at the forefront of an incredibly difficult sector to crack.

I honestly think that the Victoria Beckham brand will still be going strong long after the evoque has disappeared.

[MycroftWard]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

You couldn't be more (stereotypically) wrong.

You might not care for Victoria Beckham (many don't), but what she has achieved with her brand is something very special & a great British success story.

Go into any high end designer store & her fashion line is now as highly regarded as many other traditional French/Italian brands & way above many more established houses.

When you consider where she's come from (the footballers wife who couldn't sing) it's an amazing accomplishment.

Yes, she's used her celebrity status to her advantage (though no more than Stella McCartney or donatella Versace for example) & yes she's thrown plenty of money at it but her company is genuinely at the forefront of an incredibly difficult sector to crack.

I honestly think that the Victoria Beckham brand will still be going strong long after the evoque has disappeared.

She's certainly done very well for herself. As you say, she went into the fashion business already being a household name and with lot of dosh at her disposal. I'm sure she was able to afford to get the right talented people in her corner from the outset. Fair play to her, I imagine she's a competent business woman now, but she's not had to make it in the fashion business from stratch through pure talent.

[Jayinjapan]

I like the front but every time I see this...



I can't help but think of this...

[Jayinjapan]

A Scotsman said:

I don't care what they do to it the darn thing still looks as if someone dropped a container on it...

For once, I find myself almost in agreement with the Scotsman. I think they dropped it on the back half and thought stuff it, no one will notice...

[Ozzie Osmond]

Good luck to 'em with their sales success. North of £40,000 for 2-LITRE 4-POT still looks mighty rich to me! I dread to think what an optioned model would cost.

[Pickled Piper]

I still think of them as girls cars. You know, the yummy Mummy type. Perhaps it's the early association with Posh Spice.

I just think it slightly odd when I see a guy driving one. A bit like white Audi TTs and Peugeot convertibles.

pp

[BlackPrince]

Pickled Piper said:

I still think of them as girls cars. You know, the yummy Mummy type. Perhaps it's the early association with Posh Spice.

I just think it slightly odd when I see a guy driving one. A bit like white Audi TTs and Peugeot convertibles.

pp

When you see a bloke driving the 3-door? Or the 5-door too?
If I had kids (well, and a wife too obviously) i'd love one. Actually scratch that, I'd love the new RR Supercharged but couldn't afford that so this would do. Its not sporty but handles well enough and lovely interior for when you're stuck in traffic.

[hilly10]

I can see where a lot of are coming from. I absolutely loath this car in white and 3 door. But in the colour I went for and 5 door it's totally different. There is loads of head room in the rear even for a six footer.

[sherbert90]

ktclm06 said:

If they hadn't identified and responded to the market they wouldn't be here anymore. Smart management, smart products, even smarter market intelligence.

They've moved onwards and upwards in spectacular fashion and bloody well done to you all at JLR!!!

I agree.

JLR have seen a huge turn around in recent years, and the success of the Evoque is something to be applauded, regardless of its customer demographic.

[AC43]

sherbert90 said:

ktclm06 said:

If they hadn't identified and responded to the market they wouldn't be here anymore. Smart management, smart products, even smarter market intelligence.

They've moved onwards and upwards in spectacular fashion and bloody well done to you all at JLR!!!

I agree.

JLR have seen a huge turn around in recent years, and the success of the Evoque is something to be applauded, regardless of its customer demographic.

Agree - very clever piece of packaging and marketing. And no doubt whopping margins for the manufacturer. Everyone's a winner.

[Otispunkmeyer]

rwindmill said:

Sorry if i sound a bit dumb here, but in the report it says that even at motorway speeds the gearbox doesnt engage 9th gear. If thats the case, then whats it doing there?

Is it for when you find yourself on the famous 'Everest downhill motorway' and just feel that 8th is 'running out of legs'???

I think he meant that it will go to 9th, but the minute you ask for some acceleration it will kick down to 8th or 7th or even further if you need to get a hurry on. 9th is for absolute steady state cruising, where the engine is likely well out of its boost range and is producing just enough power to keep the current speed. There won't be enough torque down there to make it change speed.

[Otispunkmeyer]

AC43 said:

MrGeoff said:

AC43 said:

A wealthy neighbour if mine recently wandered into a RR showroom and ended up buying one of these in impulse when he saw the waiting lists for RR's and RR Sports.

It never occurred to him it would have a four pot diesel. Imagine his surprise when it was delivered and fired up.

Don't think he'll have it for too long.

Just about sums up the kind of owners of these cars. It's nothing personal of these kinds of vehicles I'm sure they're nice to drive but whenever I see one I can't help make assumptions based on the person behind the wheel.

Exactly. He has a 997 for himself and had a Fiat 500 for the nanny or whatever. Fancied a new trinket, saw an Evoque and bought it.

I can see why - it appeals to me too, especially the interior. I personally would just prefer one with a four pot petrol or a diesel multi. As, evidently, would he. More in keeping with the compact luxury package IMHO.

Not knocking them, just thought it quite funny that someone could accidentally buy the wrong car for his needs/preferences.

I am always mystified why wealthy people can be quite so daft with certain things.... I mean he must have some nouse if he is in a position to spend in such a care free manner, but then to not even do the most basic of research about something you want to buy would seem out of character.

[dukebox9reg]

BlackPrince said:

Pickled Piper said:

I still think of them as girls cars. You know, the yummy Mummy type. Perhaps it's the early association with Posh Spice.

I just think it slightly odd when I see a guy driving one. A bit like white Audi TTs and Peugeot convertibles.

pp

When you see a bloke driving the 3-door? Or the 5-door too?
If I had kids (well, and a wife too obviously) i'd love one. Actually scratch that, I'd love the new RR Supercharged but couldn't afford that so this would do. Its not sporty but handles well enough and lovely interior for when you're stuck in traffic.

The 3 door is not a family car. With the seats fully forward and tilted there isnt enough space to get a childs seat in the gap (well at least without damaging some very expensive leather.....)

[Banjo47]

dukebox9reg said:

Just thought I'd post a couple of the VB Evoque I borrowed. Obviously rose gold isn't to everyones taste











I was just beginning to like the look of the Evoque but that is truly vile.

Edited by dukebox9reg on Wednesday 13th November 15:00