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2019 Range Rover Evoque revealed

Evolution on top, revolution underneath.


That’s the new Range Rover Evoque in a nutshell, as the second generation of the luxury brand’s baby SUV broke cover in London overnight.

As expected, the styling is a development of the current Evoque with obvious elements inspired by the newer Velar. Where the new model is vastly different is under the skin, with an all-new platform capable of accomodating a variety of hybrid systems.

Nick Rogers, executive director of product engineering for Jaguar Land Rover, explained just how different the new underpinnings are, with nothing carried over from the previous model that launched in 2010 utilising the ageing Land Rover Freelander2 platform.

“Underneath the skin is an engineering and technical revolution,” Rogers said. “The architecture is all-new to enable electrification, with only the door hinges remaining unchanged. The new underpinnings also ensure renowned Range Rover refinement and capability.”

The Evoque will be the first Range Rover available with the brand’s new 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain (MHEV) along with the choice of a three-cylinder plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and an upgraded range of petrol and diesel four-cylinder turbocharged engines.

The new MHEV utilises a 48-volt system that can harvest energy during deceleration thanks to an engine-mounted belt-integrated starter generator and stores that energy in batteries mounted underneath the floor. That harvested energy is then used to help the MHEV when it takes off from standstill, which the company claims reduces fuel economy.

The new MHEV system will be available with all of the turbo diesel engines as well as the 221kW turbocharged petrol engine.

Full details and specifications of the powertrains weren't revealed by Range Rover.

While the design retains the same silhouette as the original the new underpinnings allow for a longer wheelbase that translates to more rear kneeroom and a larger boot - now 591-litres.

“Customers love the compact proportions of Evoque so we have kept the overall dimensions very similar to the original, but we have lengthened the wheelbase to make Evoque more practical,” explained Massimo Frascella, exterior design director for Land Rover.

“Our approach has optimised the proportions to elevate the new Evoque’s unique personality. The new Evoque is a true Range Rover, highly sophisticated with a unique and striking presence.”

Drive

Not surprisingly the new model features a very similar interior to the Velar, with a pair of digital screens taking care of all of the infotainment, air-conditioning functions and drive mode settings.

In keeping with Range Rover tradition the Evoque is both stylish and capable of getting its wheels muddy. The 2019 Evoque is equipped with Terrain Response 2 that can automatically detect the road surface and change the all-wheel drive settings to provide the best traction and handling.

Range Rover has also improved the Evoque’s wading depth by 100mm, so it can now drive through up to 600mm of water.

The new model also features the brand’s second-generation Active Driveline with Driveline Disconnect, that the company says enhances fuel efficiency by easing the load on the engine, and Adaptive Dynamics to help its on-road handling.

To further enhance its off-road capabilities the new Evoque debuts the Ground View technology previewed by Land Rover as a concept in 2014. The new system uses cameras to generate a live image of the front of the car on the upper touchscreen that allows the driver to see exactly where they are placing the front wheels, effectively making the bonnet “invisible”.

Drive

While developed for off-road use, Range Rover claims the system will also come in handy when “negotiating difficult parking spaces” and “navigating high city centre kerbs” as well as when climbing over rocks and through mud.

Another new technological innovation for Range Rover is the ‘smart rear-view mirror’ that can switch between a regular mirror and high-definition video display of a rear mounted camera. It means if the view of the driver is blocked by a passenger or luggage, flicking the switch on the mirror makes for a unimpeded view.

Full Australian specifications and prices won’t be revealed until closer to the new Evoque’s arrival in Australia in 2019. However, the company has confirmed the new model is now available to order in Australia with prices starting at $64,640 plus on-road costs.

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