Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed that the new Range Rover Evoque will come to South Africa. The luxury compact SUV is available in 2.0-litre diesel as well as petrol variations, and is a great companion for both outdoors and city-livin’ types — if you can bring yourself to take it off-road, that is, and risk a stone chipping its rather fetching exterior.
You’ll likely recognise the Evoque, because Land Rover has changed the coupe-meets-SUV styling of its predecessor. It’s a little something they call “…a sophisticated evolution of the distinctive coupé-like silhouette, typified by its distinctive fast roofline and rising waist that identify the Range Rover family.” What’s the keyword? That’s right, ‘distinctive’.
Expect 21in wheels, Matrix LED headlights, and a collection of optional detailing — if your wallet can stretch that far. The Evoque also sports flush door handles (as first seen on the Velar), and can be personalised with interior leather alternatives, like Kvadrat wool and Dinamica suede, or Eucalyptus and Ultrafabrics choices.
Tech-wise, the cabin is outfitted with a dual touchscreen system, which runs Land Rover’s improved infotainment software. The Evogue’s rear-view mirror transforms into an HD video screen with a 50-degree field of view, so no more blind spots. The Evoque is also the first vehicle that includes Ground View, Land Rover’s bonnet-disappearing tech. First previewed back in 2014 (a simpler time), Ground View shows drivers the ground below the bonnet by displaying it on the upper touchscreen. It’ll probably get most of its use when you’re mounting a pavement in Sandton (or Camp’s Bay) but if you happen to take the Evoque off-road, it’ll help you dodge rocks and other unpleasantness, too.
It’s also the first Range Rover with Smart Settings, which uses artificial intelligence algorithms to learn the driver’s preferences and acts as an onboard butler. Can you name it ‘Charles’ and make it wear a monocle? We’ll also accept J.A.R.V.I.S. and a snarky attitude… we’re really not that fussy when it comes to advanced vehicular AI.
If you’re any type of tech-head, or just a person with a more-than-decent bank account, it’s a good idea to look out for this bad boy. It’s coming to SA some time in the first quarter of 2019 for a price that’s yet to bedisclosed. We’ll let you know once we know, though. Try saying that ten times fast.