Automotive

Evoque Convertible becomes first luxury compact SUV convertible under the sun

Evoque Convertible becomes first luxury compact SUV convertible under the sun
Jaguar Land Rover has unveiled the Range Rover Evoque Convertible in an artificial sunrise ceremony in London
Jaguar Land Rover has unveiled the Range Rover Evoque Convertible in an artificial sunrise ceremony in London
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The unveiling was an event unto itself, preceded by lit wire frame ghosts of the vehicle
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The unveiling was an event unto itself, preceded by lit wire frame ghosts of the vehicle
Under 400,000 lumens of light and with fountains blazing water through light the newest Range Rover was unveiled
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Under 400,000 lumens of light and with fountains blazing water through light the newest Range Rover was unveiled
A cold winter night was transformed through state-of-the-art projection technology into a golden summer day as the top of the Evoque Convertible came down in public for the first time
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A cold winter night was transformed through state-of-the-art projection technology into a golden summer day as the top of the Evoque Convertible came down in public for the first time
This Range Rover’s roof lowers in 18 seconds and raises in 21 seconds at speeds up to 30 miles per hour (48 km/h)
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This Range Rover’s roof lowers in 18 seconds and raises in 21 seconds at speeds up to 30 miles per hour (48 km/h)
The top stows in roadster-style, disappearing completely once folded away with no rear pillar or cross bars visible
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The top stows in roadster-style, disappearing completely once folded away with no rear pillar or cross bars visible
The signature all-weather capable of a Rover remains
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The signature all-weather capable of a Rover remains
A combination summer adventure vehicle and winter resort achiever, the Range Rover Evoque Convertible aims to be everything at once
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A combination summer adventure vehicle and winter resort achiever, the Range Rover Evoque Convertible aims to be everything at once
The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines and well-made nine-speed automatic transmission have been popular
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The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines and well-made nine-speed automatic transmission have been popular
The Evoque Convertible will use Land Rover’s Terrain Response system
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The Evoque Convertible will use Land Rover’s Terrain Response system
Obviously you shouldn't try this at home
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Obviously you shouldn't try this at home
The Evoque Convertible is the only vehicle in the luxury crossover class with a top-down option
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The Evoque Convertible is the only vehicle in the luxury crossover class with a top-down option
We can expect that the Evoque Convertible will find a small but well-heeled following
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We can expect that the Evoque Convertible will find a small but well-heeled following
This Range Rover’s roof lowers in 18 seconds
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This Range Rover’s roof lowers in 18 seconds
The silhouette of the Evoque Convertible remains true to the Evoque line's look
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The silhouette of the Evoque Convertible remains true to the Evoque line's look
It contains about 866 mm (34 inches) of rear seat legroom
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It contains about 866 mm (34 inches) of rear seat legroom
Sleek lines have always defined the Evoque
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Sleek lines have always defined the Evoque
The evocative style of the Evoque has been a major selling point
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The evocative style of the Evoque has been a major selling point
Beach buggy or luxury crossover?
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Beach buggy or luxury crossover?
Striking looks are had at every angle with the Evoque
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Striking looks are had at every angle with the Evoque
The unveiling also signalled the opening of the Land Rover BORN Summit of Creativity held in the Swiss Alps
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The unveiling also signalled the opening of the Land Rover BORN Summit of Creativity held in the Swiss Alps
In a rollover, support beams pop up from behind the rear headrests
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In a rollover, support beams pop up from behind the rear headrests
Those who find the entry and exit into the rear seats of the hardtop Evoque Coupe cramped will perhaps find things a bit easier with the top down
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Those who find the entry and exit into the rear seats of the hardtop Evoque Coupe cramped will perhaps find things a bit easier with the top down
An optional center pass-through opening allows longer objects to enter the rear seating area from the boot
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An optional center pass-through opening allows longer objects to enter the rear seating area from the boot
The cabin retains the signature Jaguar Land Rover rising shift knob
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The cabin retains the signature Jaguar Land Rover rising shift knob
Infotainment looks as if it's gained a small update from the 2015 model, but appears to otherwise be the same
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Infotainment looks as if it's gained a small update from the 2015 model, but appears to otherwise be the same
The wide-screen navigation is a highlight in the Range Rover Evoque
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The wide-screen navigation is a highlight in the Range Rover Evoque
The trunk (boot) can house up to 251 liters (8.8 cubic feet)
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The trunk (boot) can house up to 251 liters (8.8 cubic feet)
Jaguar Land Rover has unveiled the Range Rover Evoque Convertible in an artificial sunrise ceremony in London
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Jaguar Land Rover has unveiled the Range Rover Evoque Convertible in an artificial sunrise ceremony in London
View gallery - 28 images

Using state-of-the-art projection technology, Jaguar Land Rover attemptedto transform a cold autumn night in London into a golden summer day for thelaunch of its new Range Rover Evoque Convertible. The four-seat, luxury crossover's lightweight fabric hoodgives it the honor of being the world's first luxury compact SUVconvertible.

The unveiling took place outside the Central Saint Martins building in Granary Square, Kings Cross, London at the University of Fine Arts under 400,000 lumens of light and amidst color-changing fountains. First floated as a concept in 2012 before getting the production nod in March, more details on the Evoque Convertible will likely come when it debuts at the Los Angeles Auto Show at the end of the month.

With bodywork unchanged from the Range Rover Evoque Crossover (with the exception of the roof), the Evoque Convertible has the same footprint, and same capabilities as its coupe counterpart.

The silhouette of the Evoque Convertible remains true to the Evoque line's look
The silhouette of the Evoque Convertible remains true to the Evoque line's look

This Range Rover’s roof lowers in 18 seconds and raises in 21 seconds at speeds up to 30 miles per hour (48 km/h), with the top stowing away roadster-style, disappearing completely once folded away with no rear pillar or cross bars visible. In the event of a rollover, support beams pop up from behind the rear headrests.

The trunk can house up to 251 liters (8.8 cubic feet) and an optional center pass-through opening allows longer objects to enter the rear seating area. The luggage space remains the same whether the roof is up or down and is unimpeded by the roof’s operation. The Evoque Coupe sports roughly 549 liters (19.4 cubic feet) of room by comparison.

Seating and interior space for the Range Rover Evoque Convertible are virtually the same as the Range Rover Evoque Coupe (two-door) model, with about 866 mm (34 in) of rear seat legroom. Those who find the entry and exit into the rear seats of the hardtop Evoque Coupe cramped will perhaps find things a bit easier with the top down.

In a rollover, support beams pop up from behind the rear headrests
In a rollover, support beams pop up from behind the rear headrests

The Evoque Convertible is the first vehicle in the luxury crossover class with a top-down option, and few competitors in any crossover segment have found success with a convertible. This includes most recently Nissan with the Murano Crosscabriolet convertible, which was produced for only three years (2011-2014) to deafening silence from consumers.

If, however, the sophisticated looks and solid drivetrain of the Evoque Coupe are any indication of market acceptance, we can expect that the Evoque Convertible will find a small but well-heeled following. The Evoque four-door has sold about half a million units since its introduction just a couple of years ago.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, nine-speed automatic transmission and offroad-ready drivetrain (utilizing Land Rover’s Terrain Response system) have been popular among the upper-crust buyer, and perhaps a few of them will want to take the top off as an added bonus when the Evoque Convertible goes on sale in mid-2016.

The video below shows the vehicle's unveiling.

Source: Jaguar Land Rover

View gallery - 28 images
7 comments
7 comments
BrittenAdams
I would drive this car but, I think it wouldn't look great in the winter time with the hood on.
Jeff Goldstein
I love convertibles but don't see the point of this. I am still waiting for them to come out with a new Land Rover Defender with a soft top. Someone needs to come out with an upscale, modern interpretation of a Wrangler Unlimited or Ford Bronco.
Calson
Good thinking - a fancy gentrified version of the Jeep Wrangler for people who like to drive off road or in the snow with the top down. I am sure there is a huge market for such a toy.
nicho
No .. Just No. Some vehicles are not meant for a drop-top. This is one of them. It looks like a bathtub.
guzmanchinky
It looks awesome! Maybe a little slow? But it can go off road and you can put the top up or down without all the hassle that a Wrangler requires. Of course a Wrangler can navigate harder terrain, but how many people actually use a Wrangler's capabilities? And the Nissan didn't sell because it was ugly. I think this actually looks good. I mean, it's not a Ferrari in looks, but for a convertible SUV it's decent.
Phoghat
" fancy gentrified version of the Jeep Wrangler for people who like to drive off road or in the snow " BUT never ever do
Fairly Reasoner
JUST edges out Nissan's similar effort ...