Land Rover has revealed the second generation 2019 Range Rover Evoque, which goes on sale in Australia in the second quarter of 2019 priced from $64,640 plus on-road costs. With over 775,000 first generation Evoques built, the second model has quite a following to live up to, and the company has given it an evolutionary mini-Velar style to keep buyers interested.
A range of diesel and petrol powerplants will be offered on its arrival, and it will be offered in a wide variety of specifications so that buyers can select an Evoque as individual as they are. The 2019 Range Rover Evoque is available to order now, and first deliveries start in the second quarter of 2019.
“Eight years ago we created a new segment and the world followed,” said Finbar McFall, global marketing director of Jaguar Land Rover.
“Now we have redefined what it means to be a luxury compact SUV. With design and capability at its heart and the latest technology to hand, the new Evoque meets your needs like never before and ensures you reach your destination, no matter the conditions.”
Built on an updated version of the current model’s platform, the second-generation Evoque has stayed around the same size as the current model, which is refreshing in an era where cars seem to get bigger with every new generation. A slightly longer wheelbase has generated 20mm more rear legroom, and there is now 10 percent more bootspace at 591-litres or 1,383-litres with the 40:20:40-split rear seats folded.
The Evoque’s platform has been updated to include mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid technology, both of which will be offered within 12 months of the car launching. The mild hybrid system works with a 48-volt battery to store energy gained during braking and is used to assist take offs more smoothly and efficiently. The mild hybrid system will be available with all of the diesel powerplants, and the 221kW 2.0-litre turbo petrol, while the plug-in hybrid will be available afterwards.
The aesthetic of the 2019 Range Rover Evoque is similar to the current model, though updated to include echos of the brand’s other cars such as the Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Sport. The rear end has seen most change, with tailights that have spread onto the tailgate – much like the Velar – and the overall roofline is still very coupe-like. Speaking of coupes, the former Evoque three-door will no longer offered in the new model range thanks to low sales – what that means for the Evoque convertible (itself based on the three-door) is unknown.
The interior of the 2019 Range Rover Evoque appears to have taken a big leap forward in quality, with a lot of leather covering every surface in the interior. The dashboard layout is similar to other recent Range Rover products – again, most notably the Velar – with a large 10.0-inch centre screen and a digital driver’s display measuring 12.3-inches. The Velar’s digital lower screen has been adapted to the Velar’s cabin, and the main screen now features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, as well as wireless phone charging.
Technology in the 2019 Range Rover Evoque has also been improved, with more standard equipment than ever before. Features such as autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, lane keep assist and driver fatigue monitoring are expected to be standard, while features such as Matrix headlights with adaptive high beam and a system called Clear Sight Ground View, which ‘makes the bonnet invisible’ using cameras will be available.
The latest version of Land Rover’s Terrain Response off-road system will also be available, which automatically detects the terrain that the car is being driven on and adjusts the four-wheel drive system, transmission and stability control accordingly. The 2020 Range Rover Evoque can now wade through water 600mm deep – 100mm more than the last model.
Speaking of transmissions, a nine-speed automatic from ZF is standard equipment across the range. All 2020 Range Rover Evoque models will be four-wheel drive in Australia, though the system is capable of switching to just two-wheel drive when conditions allow. Full powertrain details are yet to be announced, though a 110kW 2.0-litre turbo diesel from Jaguar Land Rover’s Ingenium family will be the entry level engine, with higher power versions of the same engine, as well as a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with up to 221kW/400Nm will also be available.
The order books for the 2019 Range Rover Evoque are now open, with pricing starting from $64,640 plus on-road costs for the base model S with a 110kW 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine – $5,160 more than the current cheapest automatic Evoque. Deliveries will commence in the second quarter of 2019.
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