Land Rover has finally lifted the wraps from the production version of its LRX concept at a 40th birthday celebration held in partnership with Vogue magazine.
The new model, which has been given the ‘Evoque' moniker, has been touted by the company as the most compact, lightest and most fuel-efficient Range Rover when it joins the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport line ups from the middle of 2011. It will be offered in both 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive variants serving up an impressive sub-130g/km CO2 emissions figure.
Technical details have yet to be released for this new model, but the emphasis has been heavily placed upon low fuel consumption and emissions. The LRX concept featured a 2,0-litre turbodiesel hybrid powerplant capable of running on bio-diesel. This set up also showcased an Electronic Rear Axle Drive (ERAD) system that allowed the LRX to run on electrical power alone at lower speeds whilst retaining mechanical drive to all four wheels in a nod to the marque's strong off-road credentials. To this end, the LRX also featured Land Rover's Hill Descent Control and Terrain Response modules, both of which are likely to surface in the 4-wheel drive Evoque models.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the Evoque is the fact that its design has remained largely unchanged from that of the distinctive LRX. As Land Rover's managing director, Phil Popham, pointed out:
"The all-new Land Rover Range Rover Evoque marks a bold evolution of Range Rover design, providing customers with a desirable, premium and compact car like SUV. In 2008 we introduced the LRX concept car: after a positive reception worldwide, the natural step for the business was to turn the LRX concept car into reality. Tonight we wanted to show the world that we have stayed true to our word and delivered a car that completely represents the spirit of the LRX concept…Its unique silhouette accentuated by the distinctive falling roof and dramatic rising waistline creates a modern and relevant execution of the familiar Range Rover design language. This car makes a powerful statement of the Range Rover's brand intent to appeal to a wider audience."
Popham added that the Evoque will be sold in over 160 countries and will generate an additional 1 000 jobs at the firm's Halewood plant.
The Range Rover Evoque will make its global public debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show at the end of September 2010 and will go on sale in Europe from the middle of 2011.
You can view a video of Land Rover managing director Phil Popham talking about the new Range Rover Evoque by clicking on the VIDEOS block to the top, right of the above image.
