The Land Rover LRX Concept Vehicle Becomes Reality as the Range Rover Evoque
Lifestyle TransportationPublished September 23, 2011 at 2:50 am No Comments
The greenest Land Rover to date is making its debut this fall in 160 countries around the world, thanks to a grant given to Land Rover from the UK government for their Halewood manufacturing facility. What started out as the Land Rover LRX, a concept vehicle designed in part to address reduced CO2 emissions requirements that was debuted at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, is now the Range Rover Evoque. Already the winner of the 2011 Auto Express Car of the Year and 2010 Best Production Car awards, the Evoque is meant to be a perfect blend of Land Rover capabilities, stylish form and the newest sustainable technologies.
Sleek and Stylish Design is Faithful to LRX Concept
The Range Rover Evoque is a completely new interpretation of the traditional Range Rover vehicle, with all of the interior luxury, performance and all-terrain capability owners of the Land Rover brand have come to expect. The most noticeable visual difference as compared to the traditional Land Rover is the lowered roofline, which gives the Evoque an entirely new look. In fact, this is one feature that also helps the Evoque earn its green label, as the loss of those nine inches mean a more compact, lighter vehicle. Other big design changes include pushing the wheels out to the corners of the vehicle, a tapered roofline and distinctive headlamps and grille. The Evoque is one of the few vehicles on the market that stayed completely true to its concept vehicle, and will be available in the Pure, Prestige or Dynamic personalization packages.
An Interior That is Airy and Luxurious
The Range Rover Evoque’s interior is redesigned as well, featuring leather seats, floating interior LCD lighting and an iPhone docking center console that runs the length of the cabin. Storage needs are addressed with under-seat and under-floor storage, as well as folding rear seats that create more space for large items such as bicycles or luggage. Optional amenities include Bluetooth, a surround camera system or a full-sized glass panoramic roof.
A Peek Under the Hood
Looking under the hood of the Evoque reveals a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with six-speed automatic all-wheel drive that will get 19 mph city and 28 mph on the highway. Most reviews of the Evoque state that it is easy and fun to drive both on and off road, has great handling and is remarkably quiet. The design includes a state-of-the-art power train with direct injection. Also, the design team worked with sustainability in mind and incorporated several low CO2 technologies including regenerative charging, electric power assisted steering (EPAS), and optimized transmissions.
Eco-Minded Vehicle from a Company Focused on Sustainability
Land Rover has been criticized in the past from ecogroups for the impact its large luxury vehicles have on the environment. With a host of sustainability features and technologies, the Evoque addresses these concerns head on. The Evoque is the smallest, lightest, most efficient vehicle Land Rover has ever built, and the company’s focus is on producing vehicles that are recoverable and reusable. For the Evoque, this means the leather interior is chromium-free and therefore recyclable, the use of aluminum throughout the vehicle is lightweight and makes recycling parts easier, the carpeting is made from sustainable sources, and the “suede” door inserts and headliner is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Overall, each new Evoque uses about 35 pounds of recycled plastic and 46 pounds of natural or renewable materials. Another offer Land Rover is making to help offset the impact of the vehicle, even though the CO2 emissions have been reduced to at least 199g/km, is to help Evoque owners offset their carbon usage for the first 45,000 miles.
The Range Rover Evoque is available in the U.S. this fall, with packages starting at $43,995. Check one out at a Land Rover dealership near you.
