Range Rover Evoque Autobiography : more power, tech for new flagship

Land Rover will display two versions of the new Evoque flagship at next month’s Geneva motor show, the Autobiography and Autobiography Dynamic.

The latter is powered by an uprated version of the standard Evoque’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 210kW and 400Nm (up 33kW and 60Nm). The regular Evoque Autobiography is available with the 2.0-litre petrol in its standard tune (177kW/340Nm) as well as the 140kW/420Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel.

Australian customers will have to wait until the fourth quarter of 2015 to get behind the wheel of the Autobiography variants however, with North America, Europe and China to take production priority.

Land Rover says the Evoque Autobiography Dynamic’s nine-speed automatic transmission is tuned to respond more quickly to sporty driver inputs. It is paired with the Evoque’s active driveline system, which switches between front- and four-wheel-drive in the pursuit of optimised traction, agility and fuel efficiency.

The brand claims to have improved on-centre precision of the Autobiography Dynamic’s steering, and introduced firmer spring rates and recalibrated adaptive dampers that promise increased agility and turn-in response.

Larger 350mm front brake discs and torque vectoring complete the dynamic enhancements of the new range-topper.

Debuting in the Range Rover Evoque Autobiography is the brand’s new InControl Apps infotainment and connectivity system. InControl allows vehicle-optimised smartphone apps to be displayed and controlled with their original look and feel from the car’s touchscreen.

The Autobiography grades uniquely feature a redesigned grille and lower front bumper, jewel-style headlamps and tail-lights and 20-inch forged alloy wheels. Autobiography badging is applied to both new variants, while the Dynamic is also available exclusively with Phoenix Orange paint.

Six leather colours can be selected inside the Autobiography, while the Dynamic can be fitted with either sports or premium climate seats in a choice of four colours. Autobiography-badged headrests and illuminated tread plates round out the interior enhancements.

Still 18 months away, Autobiography pricing is likely to fall between the $81,940 price tag of the current Evoque range-topper and the $102,800 Range Rover Sport.