Land Rover launches the 2020 Range Rover Evoque at Rs 54.94 lakh onwards

Land Rover had launched the Evoque internationally last year, and now, this ‘baby’ Range Rover has finally hit Indian shores at Rs 54.94 lakh for the S derivative, going up to Rs 59.85 lakh for the R-Dynamic SE trim. The Range Rover Evoque made its Indian debut back in 2010 and this is the first major upgrade the brand has made to the SUV, which has received a number of facelifts through the years (and even a convertible version).

Exterior details

The new Evoque is based on Land Rover’s new Premium Transverse Architecture, designed for both mild hybridisation and plug-in hybrid powertrains. As a result, the new Evoque is longer than the current model by 10mm; wheelbase is increased by 21mm, liberating more space for rear passengers. Despite this, the overall silhouette of the SUV is similar to the previous model but there are many design changes which make it closely resemble the Velar. The front fascia is redesigned, and it also gets new alloys. Up front, the Matrix LED headlamps and tail lamps are now sharper and it also gets the flush door handles seen in the Velar.

However, there is more to the new Evoque than just cosmetic upgrades. Keeping with the Land Rover ethos, the Evoque is just a bit more off-road ready, with the water wading capacity going up to 600mm, a 100mm increase as compared to its predecessor. The approach, departure and breakover angles are also changed – the new numbers are 25, 30.6 and 20.7 degrees, from the 23.2, 33 and 22 degrees of the previous Evoque.

On the inside

Moving to the inside, the next-gen Evoque pays homage to the original, however it now uses recycled plastics rather than going for leather. These materials include Kvadrat wool blend (which is 45 per cent recycled) and Miko Dinamica suede cloth (which is both breathable as well as fire- and waterproof), along with eucalyptus and ultra fabric materials on the 16-way adjustable seats.

Another innovative feature is the Cabin Air Ionisation technology that improves the air quality within the vehicle cabin by removing allergens, viruses, airborne bacteria and associated odours.

Moving to the infotainment, and this being a Range Rover, the brand has left no stone unturned. The Evoque now gets the Touch Pro Duo (involving two high definition customisable touchscreens) infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as direct access to cabin temperature controls via the multi-function dynamic dials. Next, Range Rover is known for its Meridien sound system, which makes an appearance here as well, supplemented by the Meridian Cabin Correction technology that analyses cabin shape, acoustics and resonance characteristics to help remove unwanted sounds.

Lastly, the fun continues even when you step out, with the lnControl Remote App (compatible with most smartphones and smartwatches), featuring remote lock and unlock functions, along with remote climate control, beep / flash, journey tracking and vehicle status check.

Under the hood

Powering the SUV will be a range of BS6-compliant inline 4-cylinder Ingenium petrol and diesel engines, along with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. The diesel engine is tuned to three different states of power- 148bhp, 177bhp and 237bhp. The 2-litre Ingenium petrol engine is also available in three different states of tune – 197bhp, 245bhp and 296bhp. While the base diesel variant gets a 6-speed manual, the rest of the variants are equipped with a 9-speed automatic gearbox.

The mild hybrid powertrain is a first for Land Rover. The engine-mounted belt-integrated starter generator recovers energy during deceleration and stores it in the battery pack located under the floor. At speeds below 17kmph, the engine is shut off when the driver applies the brakes. This energy is then used to assist the engine under acceleration while pulling away, thereby reducing fuel consumption.

From the driver’s seat

Land Rover has imparted the ClearSight function to the Evoque. This activates a camera with a 50 degree field of vision from the top of the SUV (if vision to the rear view mirror is hampered) to display what is behind it, feeding it instead to the screen on the instrument console. Next comes the Lane Keep Assist which detects when the vehicle is unintentionally drifting out of the lane, and then nudges the steering wheel, guiding the vehicle back to its lane.

Once the driver has neared the destination, the Park Assist makes parallel and bay parking easier by steering the Evoque into a suitable space once the appropriate gear has been selected, with graphics and notifications guiding the driver through the manoeuvres. Once in the desired parking spot, the Clear Exit Monitor helps passengers exit the vehicle safely by illuminating a warning light if an oncoming hazard is detected. Lastly, the Park Assist feature also helps navigate the Evoque out of the parking when it’s time to go.

Speaking on the launch, Rohit Suri, president and managing director, Jaguar Land Rover India, said, “The Range Rover Evoque has always been the most stylish and distinguished compact SUV in its category. Carrying forth this legacy, the New Range Rover Evoque packs fresh enhancements in design and technology, setting new standards in refinement and capability. We are confident that our latest offering with its sophisticated design and high technology quotient will build strong appeal amongst all Land Rover fans.”

Delivery of the diesel powered Evoque has now begun, while that of the petrol variants will be announced soon. Once on our roads, the Range Rover Evoque will go up against the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC and, considering its off-road prowess, may even sway the minds of a few prospective Jeep Wrangler customers.