RE: Driven: Range Rover Evoque Prototype

RE: Driven: Range Rover Evoque Prototype

Friday 8th April 2011

Range Rover Evoque Prototype | Review

PH gets an early steer in Land Rover's 'Next Big Thing'



Having just spent a day at Gaydon being brainwashed into loving the new Range Rover Evoque (not that we weren't loving it already, you understand...), it was a relief to find something cynical to say about the new British SUV that seems destined to take showrooms by storm in September.

Just don't let the OH talk you into buying one with the 'Botanical' aluminium interior trim. We've just seen it coupled with a purple and cream colour combo on one of Land Rover's own prototypes, and unless you have a compelling urge to drive a car that looks like the inside of smirking TV popinjay Laurence Llewellyn Bowen's boudoir (may the Lord save and protect us), you'll need to give it the swerve.

It's not the end of the world, as a quick visit to the new Evoque configurator will reveal plenty of interior trim combo packages that evoke reassuringly masculine characteristics. They've got names like 'vortex', 'velocity' and 'pursuit', which may not be old school Rangie terms, but at least they sound as if they're supposed to be driven by proper blokes as well as ladies - even if that means chaps who are more comfortable in tight-fitting Lycra than a practical Harris tweed. (Funnily enough PH's own Mr Garlick has been known to affect both materials, although fortunately not at once...)


So yes, it's a brand new world for the premium Range Rover brand, but you knew that already. What nobody really knows yet is what the new model will be like to drive, although a few people have been thrown the keys to early production prototypes to help set the scene.

PH was lucky enough to be offered a handful of tarmac-only laps around part of JLR's Gaydon test track at the end of our tech seminar on the Evoque earlier this week. We drove the 240PS petrol engine with auto transmission, over considerably noisy, unevenly cambered and poorly surfaced roads, in a vehicle from a build batch that is still four generations from the fully finished article. While it was impossible to draw fully rounded conclusions (the road/tyre noise intrusion in particular should be improved as the next generation pre-production builds tighten up closures and cabin sealing, etc.), it was a fascinating early glimpse into the vehicle's underlying characteristics.

Prior to our own drive, we'd been chauffeured around the same course in the 190PS diesel (auto and manual versions), as well as the 'sportier' petrol-engined Evoque we got to drive later, and first impressions centred on the ride quality and body control. The optional MagneRide system gives you electronically controlled suspension that adjusts individual damper rates 50 times per second courtesy of twin magnetic coils acting on the fluid viscosity inside each unit, and although the damping system will be familiar to Ferrari owners among others, JLR says this is its first application in a SUV. It seems unlikely to be the last, because the Evoque offers a level of composure over difficult cambers and during fast cornering that's of a different order to the 'ordinary' SUV offering in this class.


There's one particularly nasty hump on the test track which, when taken at high speed, makes you tense your muscles during the 'weightless' moment in anticipation of the expected splash-down. A MagneRide equipped Evoque reacts to the rapid damper extension by tensing its own metaphorical muscles, and performs a landing that is impressively smooth and poised. The reaction feels almost cat-like (in as much as nearly two tonnes of rampant SUV can be feline), and a similar level of interaction with other road surfaces and cambers meant the Evoque comprehensively mastered the stretches of test track tarmac mimicking fast A-road sweepers and twisty undulating country lanes on the test course.

Interestingly, in spite of the Evoque's overtly sporty lines (especially in 'Coupe' form) the JLR engineers have not tied down the body roll as firmly as might have been possible. So don't buy one expecting nailed-flat GTi-style cornering, because it still has an appreciable amount of lean (albeit well-controlled as described), and there's still that extra bit of pitching under heavy braking to remind you this is a 'proper' SUV - with long-travel suspension, class-leading ground clearance and a COG to match. The difference is it's all contained within a seemingly well considered comfort zone. The objective was to be quick, composed and assured, but still with something of the feel of a bigger Range Rover, we were told.

All this was evident from our passenger rides, but getting behind the wheel reveals there is more to the Evoque's dynamic portfolio than competent body control. But let's start by getting comfortable.


You will, because the seats are accommodatingly plumptious with a wide range of adjustment and you sit moderately high-up in what JLR describes as its 'Sport Command' driving position. (JLR engineers took us on a suitably surreal tour through their Virtual Reality Cave to explain the vehicle's efficient interior packaging - suffice to say it's very big on the inside, and rear leg and headroom are excellent even in the more rakishly-roofed 'Coupe'.)

There's rake and height adjustment for the wheel, and you sit looking at a classic twin-pack instrument cluster with 'bejewelled' chaplets on the dials and an information-rich TFT screen placed between them. It's ever-so slightly 'bling', yes, but undeniably attractive in spite of that. The rest of the interior has an upmarket premium feel that will appeal to anyone who has ever enjoyed a boutique-chic hotel or a gold card airport lounge. (Although to traditional Range Rover enthusiasts - the type who weren't forced to buy their own furniture for instance - the Evoque's very contemporary charms may be a little less obvious.)

JLR has worked hard to overcome NVH issues from both diesel and petrol engines and firing up either reveals a cabin well insulated from engine noise. The Evoque's 'core' engine is a 2.2 litre four cylinder DW12C diesel making 190PS which (from the passenger seat) offers seamless flexibility through a broad mid-range, thanks to its fat and flat torque curve that we imagine is going to help make it a great 'all-rounder'. The petrol has one of those induction amplifier tubes to make the cabin sound rortier. If you're stuck out in the bush it may also (we'd like to think), be easily converted to a handy wading snorkel.


We were ushered towards the 240PS petrol version for our brief test, and while some folk will instinctively prefer its revvier nature and higher output, it will take a proper comparison to determine whether it's actually 'nicer' to drive than the diesel.

Of course the turbocharged 2.0 litre petrol is noticeably quicker, offering an impressive 0-60 time of 7.1secs and a maximum top speed of 135mph (the 190PS diesel gives you a 9.5secs sprint to 60mph and 124mph), but the fuel consumption suffers (official figures give the diesel an impressive 49.6mpg against our car's 35mpg, while CO2 is 199g/km against the diesel's 149g/km). Additionally the petrol is available only with a six speed auto, so for drivers who want maximum engagement that's potentially a minus point, especially as others have reported the diesel's (optional) six manual gears are a positive pleasure to use.

We didn't get a chance to turn the traction control off, but with the electronic systems in place the Evoque is unusually well-balanced through corners for a car of its ilk. The electric power steering is remarkably quick and turns in with surprising verve, and instead of porridgey understeer during aggressive cornering the Evoque seems most intent on performing perfectly balanced four wheel drift. Apparently switching everything off enables a hilarious oversteer mode, and you can certainly feel the back end loading up on a trailing throttle into a corner, even with all safety systems on. Which is amusing and good for a sporty 'feel', although we're still not quite sure if that's entirely relevant in what will surely be a style-led purchase in almost every case.


In almost every other respect, the Evoque seems frighteningly relevant. God knows we're not fashion gurus here at PH, but even we can spot this car's potential to be the next 'must have' accessory for the 'xyz' generation. (Which letter are we up to? Ed.)

The best news is that thanks to the efforts of the JLR engineering team at Gaydon, it won't be just a pretty face, but has been conceived as a class-leading competitor in all important respects. The Evoque, as we were repeatedly reminded, is 'a Range Rover, after all'.

Evoque prices in the UK will start from £27,955 for an eD4 Pure 5-door 6 Speed manual 2WD, or £28,705 if you want 4x4. The top-of-the-range Si4 6 Speed automatic Dynamic coupé with LUX pack is £44,320.






Author
Discussion

300bhp/ton

Original Poster:

41,030 posts

189 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
3.5mpg that's shocking!!! eekhehe

Have to say I really hated this when it was first talked about. But I now think that 3 sort looks bloody brilliant! Glad it seems to drive as well as it looks. smile

Papa Hotel

12,760 posts

181 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
Look at me, posting in the thread with no title! biggrin

I really like that, the first almost-attractive 4x4.

Asterix

24,438 posts

227 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
Haha - errant dot I think hehe

Bill

52,485 posts

254 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
Hopefully RRS prices will plummet when everyone moves into these. Ahem.

Godzuki

73,668 posts

254 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
What? No interior pics? hehe

Chris-R

756 posts

186 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
300bhp/ton said:
3.5mpg that's shocking!!! eekhehe)
PH. We drive 'em harder...

Godzuki

73,668 posts

254 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
300bhp/ton said:
3.5mpg that's shocking!!! eekhehe
It's a new measurement based on it's eco-freindliness. It's 3.5 manatees per gallon. A ford Fiesta has 4 bunnies per gallon.

loveice

646 posts

246 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
No off-road review on a 'Range Rover'?

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

197 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
Sorry, but I just can't get past the fact that it looks like this 07 Kia design.


JonnyVTEC

3,001 posts

174 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
loveice said:
No off-road review on a 'Range Rover'?
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Community/Car-Magazines-Blogs/Chris-Chilton-Blog/Off-road-in-the-Range-Rover-Evoque


300bhp/ton

Original Poster:

41,030 posts

189 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
Chris-R said:
300bhp/ton said:
3.5mpg that's shocking!!! eekhehe)
PH. We drive 'em harder...
biggrin

What should it have been? 35mpg? If so I reckon that's rather impressive for turbo petrol 2 tonne machine.

Digga

40,207 posts

282 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
rhinochopig said:
Sorry, but I just can't get past the fact that it looks like this 07 Kia design.

And the 'metallic toxic-snot' colour is distinctly similar to the colour of the press car in JohnnyVTec's linky.

Chris-R

756 posts

186 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
rhinochopig said:
Sorry, but I just can't get past the fact that it looks like this 07 Kia design.

Surely?

checksum

11 posts

165 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
Looks like its gone from a house brick to a soap bar.

Perhaps shedding a few tons first may help?

vintageracer01

873 posts

174 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
rhinochopig said:
Sorry, but I just can't get past the fact that it looks like this 07 Kia design.

Go here, PLEASE.


zcacogp

11,239 posts

243 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
300bhp/ton said:
What should it have been? 35mpg? If so I reckon that's rather impressive for turbo petrol 2 tonne machine.
'Zactly what I was thinking. Engine tech has moved on somewhat since the cars I am used to driving (80's and 90's german tanks ... )


Oli.

DayTrader

776 posts

166 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
vintageracer01 said:
Go here, PLEASE.

How can you dispute the two look very similar? Not that it's a bad thing...

Stitch

933 posts

216 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
There is a similarity in the lines but that may just be as a result of the stance that both are trying to achieve in getting away from the 2 box norm for SUVs.

Unfortunately for Land Rover, IMO the two new-ish Kia SUVs are better resolved than this.

Where does this vehicle sit in the market?

Is it a Q5/X3 competitor?

If so, where is the Freelander going - downmarket to face the Rav4, Tiguan etc

TomJackUK

356 posts

171 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
Stitch said:
There is a similarity in the lines but that may just be as a result of the stance that both are trying to achieve in getting away from the 2 box norm for SUVs.

Unfortunately for Land Rover, IMO the two new-ish Kia SUVs are better resolved than this.

Where does this vehicle sit in the market?

Is it a Q5/X3 competitor?

If so, where is the Freelander going - downmarket to face the Rav4, Tiguan etc
The Freelander has always been seen as a competitor to the RAV4, CRV etc...

I think you will find that this sits in something of a 'grey' area of the market, but that is by no means a bad thing. Just a matter of appealing to a larger sector of the market.

seefarr

1,461 posts

185 months

Friday 8th April 2011
quotequote all
confused Why is this on PH? Which part of Speed Matters does this appeal too? What's next, reviews of the new RAV4 or X-Trail? It's got chavvy Victoria Blecham written all over it and you're talking as if it's a Pistonheads car?

Please ask yourself: "If this had a Nissan badge on the front and wasn't made in Britain, would I care"? I think the answer would be a very solid NO.