Design Review: Range Rover Evoque
[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 </xml><![endif]
It’s not often we see a concept car taken into production as faithfully as the new Range Rover Evoque. Previewed as the Land Rover LRX at the 2008 Detroit auto show, the concept received rave reviews and the production version launched this summer is remarkably unchanged, save for a few millimeters here and there. The big surprise was the change of brand to Range Rover, for the Evoque represents a new chapter for Range Rover, away from old school aristocratic SUV to a younger, more assertive fashion product, allowing Land Rover to occupy the ‘tough rational’ end of the brand spectrum.
Although billed as the brand’s new baby, the Evoque isn’t that small in real terms. Based on a modified Freelander platform, it keeps the Freelander’s wheelbase and front bulkhead height but is around 150mm shorter, with a length of 4.3m, similar to a Ford Kuga or VW Tiguan (and not dissimilar to the first generation Freelander).
Seeing the Evoque in Paris, we were reminded of a previous coupe-like SUV launched in the same hall exactly ten years ago, namely the Audi Steppenwolf concept, specifically the 3D format and the falling roof dropping to a shallow, fast-raked rear window. Even the interior has some similarities: the high, wide tunnel, broad three-layer architecture to the IP and the dark chocolate and tan colors used; themes that featured on the Steppenwolf too. There’s also a hint of Honda’s old HR-V in the long rear side window and exaggerated rear spoiler, but the Evoque is far more assertive in its stance and more classically constructed as a piece of European design.
The rising beltline is a radical departure from established Range Rover proportions but is absolutely key to defining the Evoque, particularly in three-door coupé form, which is the more dramatic of the two versions available. Last month we saw the five-door version launched at LA Show and if you thought the five-door looked less dramatic in profile you’d be absolutely right: the screen is 62mm taller but, while the roof panel is the same, it’s mounted at a different angle so there is 40mm more rear headroom.
As on all Range Rovers, there’s a very classical approach to the architecture of the car - “An overall visual robustness” says Gerry McGovern - witnessed by a fine taper of the cabin pillars to a common focal point above the car and a C-pillar and door shutline that lead your eye to the rear wheel. These are archetypal design cues that underscore the fundamental relationship of the body to the large wheels, giving the car an exceptional stance.
The front three-quarter is the definitive view for the Evoque, with a rounded and sleeked-down clamshell hood and a particularly neat front mask that wraps right around to the doors. Up close, notice how the bright reflector and black masking in the headlamp develop into an air outlet and bright finisher on the fender and door as it moves rearwards, all capped with the with the hood shutline defining the powerful wheelarch - a masterful graphic composition. The sleek - reptilian even - expression is made more piercing by cropped LED ‘angel eyes’ as running lamps either side of the wide two-deck honeycomb grille.
By contrast, the rear view can appear a bit ‘wooden’, dominated by a stack of parallel lines and near-90 degree section changes. The vertical shutlines continue this very rigid look, which is noticeably less sophisticated than that employed around the front and sides of the car.
Continues →