Range Rover Evoque facelift revealed

The Range Rover Evoque facelift has been revealed by Land Rover. It will make its global debut at the Geneva motor show in March.The revised Range Rover Evoque will be the most efficient Land Rover production model ever, when it goes on sale internationally later this year, with JLR’s new four-cylinder, 2.0-litre ‘Ingenium’ turbodiesel engine installed under its bonnet.

Engine options include a two-wheel-drive 148bhp eD4 diesel engine equipped with a manual transmision, and a more potent four-wheel-drive 178bhp diesel unit mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The new car will also be offered with Land Rover’s existing 237bhp Si4 petrol engine. This variant, which comes with four-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission as standard, can accelerate from 0-100kph in 7.6sec and has a top speed of 217kph.

Three drivelines are available – two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive and Active Driveline. The Active Driveline system can automatically switch between two- and four-wheel drive as required, and also features torque vectoring to improve traction in low-grip situations. It is standard when the Si4 petrol engine is specified, and optional across the rest of the range.Under the skin, the Evoque’s suspension set-up has been altered to take into account the lower weight of the Ingenium diesel engines. There’s a new front suspension subframe and revised rear bushings, as well as larger brake discs.

Land Rover has tweaked the exterior design of the Evoque, with a new front bumper, enlarged air intakes, two new grille designs, all-LED adaptive headlamps and new alloy wheel designs, among the key changes. The rear gets a new tailgate spoiler and high-level LED stoplight. In the cabin, the revised car features new seats, door casings, new soft-touch materials and various colour choices. Land Rover will bring the Evoque’s trim levels in line with those of the Range Rover Sport, meaning customers can choose SE, HSE Dynamic and Autobiography specifications.

The Evoque gets Land Rover’s new eight-inch touchscreen-based infotainment system, InControl Touch, and a new TFT information display in the instrument panel. It also benefits from new technology, first seen on the Range Rover – All-Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) maintains a pre-determined speed off-road to assist the driver while negotiating tricky terrain. New safety features included as standard are lane-keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking and a drowsy driver warning.

It’s also expected that the refreshed Evoque line-up in global markets will feature a new cabriolet model. Although yet to be officially confirmed by Land Rover, late-stage prototype models have been spotted testing on international roads.