This is the 2011 Range Rover Evoque, which was unveiled following an exclusive preview in London for 300 guests attending a 40th birthday celebration of Range Rover held in partnership with Vogue magazine. The guests included model Erin O'Connor and television presenter Gabby Logan, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Zara Phillips.
The Evoque will go on sale next Summer once it has bowed at the Paris motorshow on the 30th October. While Land Rover had remained tight-lipped about more details, we know the Range Rover will come in 2WD & 4WD and is the lightest, smallest and most frugal SUV in the firm’s line-up. The greenest Evoque will emit no more than 130g/km of CO2. 'The two-wheel-drive option will give customers the chance to benefit from lower entry-level pricing, plus CO2 and fuel-economy efficiencies,' said Popham. However, Land Rover has ditched its plans for a hybrid variant of the Evoque. Land Rover is working on hybrid systems and its first model to receive the system will be the next Range Rover in 2013.
The Evoque stays accurate to the LRX concept that was first shown two years ago. According to Land Rover design director Gerry McGovern, it is 'a modern and relevant execution of the familiar Range Rover design'.
Land Rover’s managing director, Phil Popham, said, ‘Customers can be confident that the new car will be premium, luxurious and just as special as the other Range Rover models. Its sporting looks and unique qualities will open the brand to a new group of customers who might not have considered a Range Rover before.’
Although no outsiders of Land Rover know what the car looked like before its launch, regardless of what it would cost, Land Rover says it has already taken deposits from buyers, and that it has received around 20,000 'expressions of interest' in the Evoque.
No interior photos have been revealed yet, but potential customers can expect the kind of premium and luxurious materials already found in other Range Rover models, according to the firm. Former Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham is now a creative design executive, and will be designing the interior of the Evoque. She described the new Range Rover as 'absolutely stunning' and that the chance to join forces on the design was 'an incredible opportunity'.
Land Rover and Range Rover design director Gerry McGovern said of Victoria Beckham: 'She knows a lot about fashion and a lot about trends, a lot about luxury products. I believe this appointment adds a new dimension to my design team as we continue to design products to appeal to a wider audience.'
"The all-new Land Rover Range Rover Evoque will be built at our multi-award winning plant in Halewood, creating 1,000 new jobs in the Merseyside area, a fantastic boost to the UK economy. The Halewood plant has a reputation for excellence and quality and is recognised throughout the industry as a leader in Lean Manufacturing.
"The all-new Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is a true global car and will be sold in over 160 countries. It was important to give the car a name that was instantly recognisable through language and cultural boundaries throughout the world. We wanted to create a new name which was innovative and different. A name which implies exclusivity and arouses emotions. Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is cosmopolitan and cross-continental, sophisticated and matches the car's urban elegance," he added.
Prices are expected to start at £35,000 for the 2WD and £40,000 for the 4WD. This would mean that the Evoque is at least £10,000 cheaper than the larger Range Rover Sport. While the Evoque is classed as a coupe, a more practical 5dr will join the range at a later date.
