Range Rover’s highly anticipated Evoque, was officially launched to Irish Motorists last week. It’s the smallest, lightest and most fuel efficient model in their range and “will appeal to new customers” according to Land Rover Ireland’s General Manager Eddie Kavanagh. The new Range Rover Evoque offers customers significant choice throughout the range. There are three engines, two body styles and three design themes to choose from, as well as a host of accessories to personalise each model to every individual’s taste. The updated 2.2l turbo diesel engine is available in two power outputs, 150hp and 190hp, both 4WD. A two-wheel drive model will be available from January 2012. Thanks to CO2 emissions of 149g/km for the manual transmission, both models are placed in tax band C. There’s also a 2.0l petrol derivative on offer which offers 240hp.
The Evoque is available as a Coupé or five-door variant, both of which stay true to the original concept design. There are three design themes to choose from, Pure, Dynamic and Prestige, each offering a different level of comfort and equipment. At launch, I test drove the five-door Prestige model, which offers luxury with an Oxford full leather interior and real wood finishers. The six-speed manual gearbox provides short, crisp gear changes and the chassis copes admirably around the twisty country roads I drove. Prices for the Range Rover Evoque commence at €40,975 for the 150hp TD4 five-door six speed manual 4WD model, and is on sale now. We will have a full review of the Evoque after our week long test next month.
