Automotive

Range Rover Evoque Convertible finally ready to hit the streets and dirt roads

Range Rover Evoque Convertible finally ready to hit the streets and dirt roads
The Range Rover Evoque Convertible is billed as the first luxury compact SUV convertible
The Range Rover Evoque Convertible is billed as the first luxury compact SUV convertible
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The Evoque Convertible shows its ability to handle a lean angle approach
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The Evoque Convertible shows its ability to handle a lean angle approach
The Evoque Convertibles is a luxury SUV with off-road capability
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The Evoque Convertibles is a luxury SUV with off-road capability
The Evoque Convertible is built to handle off-road situations
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The Evoque Convertible is built to handle off-road situations
The Evoque Convertible with the top down and covered
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The Evoque Convertible with the top down and covered
Inside, the Evoque Convertible has room for four
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Inside, the Evoque Convertible has room for four
The Evoque Convertible with the top down
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The Evoque Convertible with the top down
The cabin of the Evoque Convertible is laid out for simplicity
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The cabin of the Evoque Convertible is laid out for simplicity
A windscreen helps cut noise when the top is down
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A windscreen helps cut noise when the top is down
Trunk space was designed to stay the same, regardless of the position of the convertible top
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Trunk space was designed to stay the same, regardless of the position of the convertible top
The Evoque Convertible has the same touchscreen control as the coupe
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The Evoque Convertible has the same touchscreen control as the coupe
The Range Rover Evoque Convertible is billed as the first luxury compact SUV convertible
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The Range Rover Evoque Convertible is billed as the first luxury compact SUV convertible
The Evoque Convertible comes in multiple interior and exterior color combinations
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The Evoque Convertible comes in multiple interior and exterior color combinations
The Evoque Convertible shows it's ready to take on winter driving conditions
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The Evoque Convertible shows it's ready to take on winter driving conditions
The Evoque Convertible is ready for all seasons
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The Evoque Convertible is ready for all seasons
The Z-fold convertible top raises in 21 seconds and can be raised or lowered at speeds of around 30 mph (48 km/h)
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The Z-fold convertible top raises in 21 seconds and can be raised or lowered at speeds of around 30 mph (48 km/h)
The folding roof on the Evoque convertible lowers in 18 seconds
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The folding roof on the Evoque convertible lowers in 18 seconds
The Evoque Convertible's lines are similar to those of the coupe
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The Evoque Convertible's lines are similar to those of the coupe
The Evoque Convertible cockpit is a mix of technology, functionality and luxury
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The Evoque Convertible cockpit is a mix of technology, functionality and luxury
The cockpit of the Evoque Convertible is designed for high-tech simplicity
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The cockpit of the Evoque Convertible is designed for high-tech simplicity
Roll bars deploy in milliseconds if a rollover is detected
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Roll bars deploy in milliseconds if a rollover is detected
The Evoque Convertible is powered by Land Rover's lightweight Si4 gas engine; a diesel is also available
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The Evoque Convertible is powered by Land Rover's lightweight Si4 gas engine; a diesel is also available
A ski hatch lets you slide a pair from the trunk through to the rear passenger area
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A ski hatch lets you slide a pair from the trunk through to the rear passenger area
The ski hatch on the Evoque Convertible lets you carry skis and similar shaped items
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The ski hatch on the Evoque Convertible lets you carry skis and similar shaped items
View gallery - 23 images

Land Rover has been readying the driving world for the Range Rover Evoque Convertible ever since it released concept designs four years ago. Earlier this year, it revealed more details, and finally released this hound to European buyers this week with what it's calling the world's first luxury compact SUV convertible.

While the Ranger Rover Evoque Convertible was previously displayed and touted at several world events, the company was relatively stingy on some of the details related to the new vehicle.

It was clear that the convertible was going to be equipped with the same drive train choices available on the coupe, as well as refinements like its InControl touchscreen vehicle monitoring and infotainment system, and generous use of LED lighting inside and out. What wasn't as evident was how Land Rover was going to ensure a level of usability, safety and vehicle stability on a four-wheel drive equipped convertible, whether the top was up or down.

A ski hatch lets you slide a pair from the trunk through to the rear passenger area
A ski hatch lets you slide a pair from the trunk through to the rear passenger area

Storage space in the trunk of most convertibles is a typical issue, but Land Rover designed the Evoque Convertible so the trunk capacity (251 liters/66 gallons) remains the same – regardless of the position of the convertible top. It also incorporated a ski hatch between the two rear passenger seats that allows owners to slide a couple of pair of skis or other long items from the trunk into the passenger compartment.

To ensure driver safety, the Evoque Convertible is equipped with two aluminium rollover bars that deploy within 90 milliseconds of detecting a rollover situation. There's also the same combined thorax and head airbag combination offered in the coupe, but Land Rover equipped the convertible with additional sensors to ensure the airbags or rollover bars don't deploy in extreme off-road situations.

The Evoque Convertible is built to handle off-road situations
The Evoque Convertible is built to handle off-road situations

Additional bracings to the chassis, larger diameter anti-roll bars and a retuned suspension add to the overall on- and off-road stability of the vehicle. For those who might want to test the Evoque Convertible's off-road capabilities, Land Rover claims it has the ability to scale 45-degree gradients, safely tilt to 35 degrees before rolling, and wade through water up to 500 mm (19.7 in) deep.

For European buyers interested in being one of the first to own the Evoque Convertible, you'll be looking at a list price of €44,700 (US$50,475) for the SE version, about an €8,000 ($9,000) premium over the similar version of the coupe. Land Rover is also offering an HSE version of the convertible for €50,700 ($57,275), and that mostly gets you variations in internal and external lighting, a more powerful entertainment system and seats with more adjustments.

LandRover said the Evoque Convertible will be available in the US and elsewhere sometime this summer (Northern Hemisphere).

Watch the video below to see the Evoque Convertible in action.

Source: Land Rover

View gallery - 23 images
3 comments
3 comments
Bob Flint
How many times have you ever wanted to ride in winter with the top down?
My what a big bucket....to better crush you with my dear...
guzmanchinky
Hmmm, very interesting! I'm guessing 99.9% of them will never see a speck of dirt, which is a shame. If they built a version with an air suspension that could raise the vehicle a couple of inches, and offered more off road worthy tires/wheels, it might even catch a few people who look at Jeep Wranglers. I hope it sells, it looks great!
Dirk Scott
"the world's first luxury compact SUV convertible"? I don't think so! Check out this website dated year 2000. http://bestcarmag.com/makes/Isuzu/VX-02 . Here you will see the Isuzu Vehicross convertible which starred in the movie Mission To Mars. The History of its development is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LCa-U9Aa1k. I owned the hard top version and it was outstanding off and on road.