since 1976
since 1976
By Lee Pang Seng
SOME European countries are already taking steps to curtail the number of SUVs (sport utility vehicles) on their roads, in particular city centres, as such vehicles are too big for the parking lots and urban road system. It might come in the form of higher taxes or even city entry charges.
This is where Range Rover might have an ace up its sleeve with the Evoque, a smaller dimensional variant of its medium and large SUV range. Being a more compact SUV, the Range Rover Evoque would fit in better with the existing parking spaces and city road system in European countries.
Here in Malaysia, the Range Rover Evoque plays a different role. As we have the space and foresight to make parking spaces and roads wider to accommodate larger size vehicles, the medium and large dimension Range Rover models could flow in nicely in urban traffic and conditions. Except perhaps in tight back lanes and alley ways.
Land Rover Malaysia’s target customer for the Range Rover Evoque is mainly women vehicle owners and generally those who prefer a smaller size SUV for navigating city traffic and road system. It’s a way of saying that you could have a good thing even in smaller packages.
That reflects Range Rover’s smart way of providing its unique brand of SUV motoring within the same model line to pander a wide spectrum of customers. It's unlike other automotive brands that offer an entry level model with a mid-size variant to upgrade to before settling on a full-size flagship SUV, all different models for their respective level.
Being an SUV owner, we could relate to the Range Rover’s approach. On seeing the Range Rover Evoque, we immediately noted the advantage of its compact dimensions in much the same way that persuaded us to buy an entry-level SUV model for its smaller size (a different brand or course and one that is much lower down the status level).
The thing is we were right at home making our way through dense traffic and manoeuvring into and out of tight parking spots in urban centres with the Range Rover Evoque. The variant loaned to us was the top-end model, Evoque Dynamic HSE (Lux spec), the other two being the Dynamic SE (M spec) and Dynamic SE (H spec).
It was also because we had upgraded to a large SUV and the Range Rover Evoque was a pleasant change in driving a compact SUV again. Its target customer is spot on because with the Evoque, it is almost akin to driving a mid-range car and you could gauge and observe traffic movements better from a higher seating position typical of an SUV.
When we first stepped into the Range Rover Evoque, we thought we were getting into an electric vehicle (EV) because of its minimalist dashboard design and layout. It has a very clean look with a stubby gearknob to break the monotonous flow of the central console. The 11.4-inch multi-info central touchscreen was the one we used to access the air-conditioning, radio system and even drive configurations for off-road forays. That’s very much EV-ish.
Another novel feature was the ClearSight rearview mirror. This is not the usual rearview mirror that we are all familiar with. It is like a mini screen that carries the images captured by the camera mounted on the roof aerial at the rear. This provided a wider view of the rear, clearly an improvement of the image reflected on normal rearview mirrors.
Despite this wider view of the rear, the camera location neverthelss limited its coverage on the flanks, meaning that you would still need to rely on the door mirrors with warning lights to warn you about vehicles in the narrower blind spots on either side.
As the luxury-spec model, the Evoque HSE comes with 14-way (against 12-way) driver memory electric front seat, Windsor leather upholstery, leather wrapped steering wheel, fixed panoramic roof, full adaptive and configurable dynamics, 21-inch alloy rims and pixel LED (light emitting diode) headlamps with signature DRL (daytime running lights).
Common features among the three models are the wireless device charging facility on the central console, head-up display (with SE High-spec only), Meridian sound system that was nice on the ears on the move, flush exterior door handles (that pop up when you press ‘Unlock’ on the keyfob), door opening and locking on walking towards and away from the vehicle, among others.
For the last item, we found that we had to come a lot closer than the distance experienced with other vehicle brands for the door system to unlock. Likewise, the Evoque door system would lock as soon as you walk away, also by a shorter distance. The shorter distance seems more practical as it would prevent someone lurking nearby in shady parking spots from opening the doors and stealing your things before you get to the vehicle or while walking away.
The Evoque HSE shares the same power unit as the SE High-spec variant; this is a 2.0-litre (1997cc) turbocharged engine that delivers 183kW (249PS) at 5500rpm and 365Nm developing early at 1300rpm and staying peaky till 4500rpm. The transmission is a nine-speed automatic. Its potential performance is given as 7.6 seconds in accelerating from standstill to 100km/h and a top speed of 230km/h. Not bad for an SUV tipping the scales at 1818kg (DIN kerb).
Our weekend drive, through mostly urban road conditions, showed up the peaky side of the engine. With so much torque available from 1300rpm, we felt the peakiness of the Evoque in its readiness to bolt on the slightest prompt of the accelerator. As none of our passengers complained about the slightly jerky forward motion, we could live with it.
During the few times we hit the open highway, the Evoque was ready to let loose and pick up the pace. At 110km/h, the engine was hardly stressed running below 2000rpm. Based on our experience with a German brand, we believed the Evoque should provide good mileage on long distance drives at fairly robust speeds.
The 21-inch allow wheels shod with 245/45 R21 Pirelli Scorpion Zero tyres showed a bit of its hardness over road sleepers, bumps and ruts. Driven at a gentler pace over such surfaces, the many speedbumps in particular, the capacity of the bigger wheel-tyre combination to absorb the harshness was quite good.
Being independently sprung all round with MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link design at the rear, the Range Rover Evoque was quite at home along winding roads. We found the Evoque nice to pilot through our favourite corners and sweepers at pretty good road speed with minimal body roll. And on the highway, it stayed stable and confident during the few short bursts, while remaining well insulated from external noise for us to enjoy the music from the Meridian sound system.
If you are wondering about its off-road capability, the Range Rover Evoque has a 212mm ride height, 19.5-degree approach angle, 30.6-degree departure angle and 20.7-degree ramp angle. Its wading depth, should you wish to make shallow river crossings, is good too at 530mm. What would be more interesting to the urbanites that the Range Rover Evoque appeals to is its reasonably small turning circle of 11.6 metres that makes it reasonably manoeuvrable in tight areas.
Sitting on a fairly long 2681mm wheelbase, the interior is roomy enough to accommodate four people nicely or five at a slight squeeze at the rear. The 40:20:40 split rear seatrests offer the flexibility to accommodate more items should the need arise. As it were, the luggage compartment is quite big with 471 litres that could be expanded to 1156 with the rear seatrests folded flat.
As the flagship model, the Range Rover Evoque HSE luxury-spec commands a premium retail price of RM565,800. That’s a bit more than rival brands. The ‘lesser’ options in the Evoque SE M-spec is priced at RM498,800 and Evoque SE H-spec is RM529,800.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 1,997cc, petrol, four cylinders, turbocharged
Maximum power: 249PS at 5,500rpm
Maximum torque: 365Nm from 1,300-4,500rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Acceleration (0-100kph): 7.6 seconds
Top speed: 230kph
Features: Pixel LED front headlamps with signature DRL, Power Tailgate, 14-way driver memory seat, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wireless charger, Head-Up Display, 11.4-inch touchscreen, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, 21-inch alloy wheels with All Season tyres, All Terrain Progress Control, ClearSight rearview mirror, Fixed panoramic roof, , Meridian Sound System, Flush door handles
