As we get closer to Paris Motor Show, Range Rover finally felt like releasing more details on their new Evoque, which will go on sale next year in 160 countries worldwide with starting price of around £30,000. Due to its compact and unique design, they call the Evoque a cross-coupé, which is relevant since it has the profile of a coupe but it’s jacked up to become crossover. This is a sort of sportier, more affordable Range Rover that will attract new buyers to the brand.

For the first time with this car, Range Rover is offering front-wheel-drive option as well, along with 4WD, becasue the Evoque is also set to be a very economical model. The car will be able to manage sub 130g/km CO₂ with 58mpg combined fuel economy (based on model) which is astonishing.

But that does not mean, there will any compromise on traditional Range Rover qualities. It is still very a capable  SUV thanks to Adaptive Dynamics featuring MagneRide and Land Rover Terrain Response system.

You also get quite as much luxury as you expect from a Ranggie, with a premium cabin offers full-sized glass panoramic roof that floods the interior with natural light, and innovative Range Rover technologies, including dual-view display for 8-inch touch-screen and Surround Camera System.

More details in the press release below:

“These are exciting times for our business,” said CEO Dr Ralf Speth. “Not only will the Range Rover Evoque increase our worldwide market share, it helps to define a new segment for premium compact SUVs that are more sporting and stylish.”

Sustainability

Offering CO₂ emissions sub 130g/km* and fuel economy of 58mpg* combined, the Evoque is the lightest, most fuel-efficient Range Rover ever and a strong demonstration of the marque’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

“This is a highly relevant and contemporary vehicle that will suit the modern needs of our customers,” said Land Rover’s managing director Phil Popham. “The Range Rover Evoque will appeal to a new group of customers who may not have considered a Range Rover before.”

Lightweight construction techniques and the addition of a front-wheel drive variant ensure optimum efficiency is achieved. The new state-of-the-art petrol and diesel engines come with direct injection and stop-start. The Range Rover Evoque also adopts low CO₂ systems such as Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) and is built to maximise end of life recyclability.

Design

The Range Rover Evoque’s dramatic exterior is based directly on the LRX concept car, which drew worldwide acclaim for its fresh interpretation of classic Range Rover design cues.

Smart design and meticulous engineering has allowed the LRX concept to be turned into reality without compromising the core Range Rover values of luxury, refined performance and all-terrain capability.

“The Evoque marks a bold evolution of Range Rover design. With its dramatic rising beltline, a muscular shoulder running the length of the car, and a distinctive taper to the floating roofline, the Range Rover Evoque adopts a very dynamic profile with a powerful and athletic stance.” said Land Rover design director, Gerry McGovern.

Interior quality

The Range Rover Evoque’s cabin is lavishly appointed with premium quality materials and an elegance befitting of a Range Rover interior.

Customers can specify soft, premium leather and beautifully tailored, twin-needle stitching providing a luxurious finish to almost every surface of the instrument panel, doors and seats.

A lower driving position offers a more sporting feel but retains Range Rover’s renowned Command Driving Position. Headroom is generous compared with traditional sporting saloons, despite the low-profile coupé roofline.

Dynamics

On the open road, the Range Rover Evoque offers a polished driving experience that combines dynamic and sporty handling with responsive, effortless performance and refinement.

Murray Dietsch, director of Land Rover programmes, said: “We’ve tuned the Range Rover Evoque’s chassis and Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) to deliver precise and responsive steering at lower speeds, making the car nimble and fun to drive.”

This sporting character has not been achieved at the expense of comfort and refinement.  Adaptive Dynamics uses advanced MagneRide™ dampers to provide a supple, controlled ride. The suspension delivers even tighter body control, with flatter handling and sharper responses.

Capable off-road

Drivers who take their Range Rover Evoque off-road will be reassured to know that, in addition to extremely generous ground clearance, the car has significantly better breakover, approach and departure angles than other compact SUVs.

The Evoque will be the first Range Rover to offer customers a choice between a full-time four-wheel-drive system, which delivers outstanding performance and traction on all surfaces, and an even lower carbon, front-wheel-drive option for further enhanced fuel economy.

The Range Rover Evoque’s formidable all-terrain potential is enhanced by the latest version of the company’s signature Terrain Response^TM system.

Powertrains

The Range Rover Evoque’s turbocharged powertrain line-up offers smooth and responsive performance, blending four-cylinder efficiency with six-cylinder refinement and power.

Customers can choose between two advanced 2.2-litre turbodiesel derivatives, with either 190PS or 150PS. The front-wheel drive Range Rover Evoque with the 150PS 2.2-litre engine achieves 58mpg* and sub 130g/km* CO₂. The four-wheel-drive 2.2-litre 150PS delivers 50mpg* and sub 145g/km* CO₂.

A new 240PS, 2.0-litre Si4 petrol engine combines direct fuel injection, turbocharging and twin variable valve timing for exceptional driveability and fuel efficiency with a 0-60mph time of 7.1 seconds.

Murray Dietsch, director of Land Rover programmes, said: “These impressive figures have been achieved by the product development team’s commitment to delivering a compact and weight-efficient product, with no compromise on durability and robustness.”

Innovation

The Evoque benefits from the same high-end innovative technologies as the larger Range Rovers. An intuitive control system and touch-screen display combines a stylish, uncluttered layout and state-of-the-art functionality with class-leading ease of use.

The display is available with dual-view technology, so that driver and passenger can view independent content.

Connectivity options include Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone and audio streaming, plus a range of USB and auxiliary inputs for iPods and other portable devices. The Evoque is the first Range Rover to offer breathtaking new sound systems developed in partnership with the high-end audio specialist Meridian. The premium Meridian system offers an 825W, 17-speaker system that delivers the ultimate in surround-sound performance.

Other features available to Range Rover Evoque customers include:

• Park Assist for automated parallel parking
• Blind Spot Monitoring system
• Surround Camera System with five digital cameras, including a reversing system
• Full dual-zone automatic climate control, featuring a Park Heater timer facility
• Hard drive navigation system with off-road navigation capability
• DAB/FM/AM/Cirrus tuners, with hard drive virtual 10xCD multiplayer
• Digital and Satellite TV, and DVD playback
• Rear seat entertainment package, with 8-inch video screens, digital wireless
  headphones and touch screen remote control
• Keyless entry system and powered tailgate
• Adaptive headlamps with auto headlamp dipping
• Heated windscreen, front seats and steering wheel

Three design themes

The Range Rover Evoque offers customers more choice with three main vehicle design themes, each with its own distinctive character, exterior treatment and carefully co-ordinated interior package.

‘Pure’ combines the stunning concept-car exterior with a stylish, clean interior in neutral colours. Soft-touch wrapped materials on the major surfaces contrast with the metal brushed aluminium trim.

‘Prestige’ is the ultimate in Range Rover luxury, combining a bespoke exterior that includes unique, 19-inch wheels and sparkling metallic details with an interior that is almost entirely leather-wrapped.

‘Dynamic’ brings a bolder exterior with 20-inch wheels and unique bumpers, sills, grille and tailpipes for a more assertive, confident stance. Contrasting roof and spoiler colours are available, while the premium sports interior offers sports seats with splashes of bright contrast colour.

The Range Rover Evoque will be manufactured at Land Rover’s multi award-winning Halewood plant in Merseyside, UK. The car will go on sale in more than 160 markets worldwide from summer 2011. Prices will start from £30,000 in the UK.