Range Rover Evoque: Light-weight winner

Enter Range Rover’s new Evoque,a car-like compact luxury SUV that shares none of its larger siblings’ traits of inefficiency. But is Range Rover’s smallest,lightest and most fuel efficient SUV a proper SUV? This was the challenge facing Range Rover engineers at their Gaydon facility in England. Job number one involved taking the Freelander’s monoque (uni-body) chassis and refreshing it. So all its major suspension parts were redesigned for lightness and the mini soft-roader was given a shot in the arm with the introduction of MagneRide adaptive damping,a system earlier developed by Delphi,and also used by Ferrari. The system monitors the suspension an incredible 1000 times a second and adjusts the dampers accordingly. This will be the system’s first off-road application.

Also keeping weights in check are an aluminium bonnet,an aluminium roof,plastic fenders and a composite tailgate. And for greater efficiency,an electric power steering has been drafted in to do duty.

Both motors currently used are four-cylinder units. The 2.2 litre 187 bhp turbo diesel will be shared with Jaguar and is based on a Ford and Peugeot motor that has been considerably refined for the Evoque.

LR engineers have attacked the noise in this engine. The injectors now have new acoustic “socks” fitted to them and noise emanating from the pulley of the engine has been reduced. Also fitted to the motor will be a start-stop system,which improves efficiency considerably. The Si4 petrol version may displace only two litres,but this new direct injection motor makes a very useful 236 bhp with the help of VVT.

But what’s it like on the road? We got a quick preview of this cross between a Mini and an SUV,and first impressions,surprisingly,were of plenty of space. The Evoque manages to offer class-apart ground clearance and impressive cabin,head and knee room — this is despite passengers being seated 100 mm lower than the Freelander. LR engineers say they have crunched the platform almost flat to do this. But space at the rear is only sufficient.

Like the attractive design of the exterior that blends typically LR slab-like surfaces with innovatively sunken headlights and tail lights,the interior looks modern and plush as well. There is quality double-stitching on the seats and the cabin’s layout reminds you of a Range Rover Sport. Like the Mini,all cabin materials are high quality,which will appeal to its rather affluent buyers.

We were given a ride in the car around Land Rover’s Gaydon facility,the cars were driven over less-than-perfect tarmac,some of it very similar to what we have back here. Assessing low speed ride on the 19-inch wheels,as a result,was impossible. What we could tell was that the motors felt refined and quick. And there was a distinct feeling of sportiness in the chassis too. There was some body roll,as the Evoques were being flung around,but body control was not sloppy and there was only a hint of understeer. Land Rover claims that the Evoque,with its generous ground clearance,four-wheel-drive system,big wheels and impressively short overhangs is also good off-road.

Sure,10 minutes riding shotgun isn’t enough to assess the Evoque but as far as initial impressions go,it can’t get better. JLR seems to have another winner.

(The writer is deputy editor,Autocar India)