Range Rover’s entry-level Evoque, the Pure, has been benefitted from a raft of upgrades for the 2014 model year, including new driver aids, a choice of new paint finishes, and the debut of South Africa’s first nine-speed automatic transmission.
On the outside, the Evoque Pure is distinguished from other models in the range through its unique badging and 18-inch wheels, while the cabin boasts leather upholstery and a 380 Watt Meridian sound system with USB compatibility and Bluetooth audio streaming.
The main trump card of the complex new ZF-9HP transmission is the lower fuel consumption that nine ratios bring, which enables the engine to operate at optimum speed more than before. The Evoque SD4, powered by a 2,2 litre turbodiesel four-cylinder that produces 140 kW and 420 N.m of torque, now uses five per cent less fuel and emits four per cent less CO2.
Apart from the environmental benefits, the adoption of the new nine-speed transmission also positively affects the Evoque’s performance. Off-road, the lower first ratio should be a boon, and on-road the new transmission shift actions are believed to be nearly imperceptible. Thanks to the adaptive shift programme, the transmission reacts to the driver’s throttle actions accordingly.
The Pure also introduces new driver assistance systems to the Evoque range, such as the optional Park Exit (to exit a parallel parking bay automatically) and Perpendicular Park (which perfectly aligns a car in a parking bay). There’s also Torque Vectoring by Braking, which redirects torque between all four wheels to reduce understeer for a more dynamic on-road experience.
Pricing has not yet been finalised (the asking figures for the entire range will be announced in March), but the Evoque with the 2,2-litre SD4 motor is expected to retail for R602 000, while indicative pricing for the 2,0-litre turbopetrol Si4 (with 177 kW) is R598 000.
