Appealing to Those Seeking Stylish Cars

Range Rover, a brand of four-wheel-drive vehicles from Britain, introduced its first model in 1970. Often referred to as the "Rolls-Royce of 4WDs," it carved out its own market with features like a luxurious interior.

While the lineup now includes the sportier "Sport" model, the Evoque further emphasizes agility and aims to broaden its appeal in Japan with a price starting in the mid-4 million yen range. Simultaneously, a stylish 2-door version, dubbed the "Coupe," has been released. Combined with a wide array of interior material options, it's attracting a demographic that values stylish vehicles.


"Since its unveiling at the Tokyo Motor Show in autumn 2011, we've seen significant customer interest in this vehicle, and we feel we've successfully appealed to a different demographic than before," stated a spokesperson for Jaguar Land Rover Japan.

Faithfully Reflecting the Intent of the LRX Concept

The Range Rover Evoque, then known as the "LRX," made its show debut in the spring of 2008. Its bold, wedge-shaped styling captured the attention of many automotive enthusiasts. Encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive reception, Land Rover immediately initiated plans for production. The Evoque's value proposition lies in its stylishness, consciously designed to appeal to those seeking distinctive vehicles, and "accurately reflecting the intent of the LRX," according to Jaguar Land Rover Japan.

The actual vehicle makes a strong impression. The 2-door version, in particular, feels very true to the designer's aesthetic sensibilities. The wedge-shaped profile from front to rear, the seemingly small greenhouse (side windows), the four prominent wheels at the corners, and the distinctive body colors all contribute to its unique character.

Abundant Options for Personalization

Both the 4-door and Coupe models offer two sub-lines. The common line is called "Pure," embodying a cool and contemporary aesthetic. The 4-door features the luxurious "Prestige," while the Coupe offers the sporty "Dynamic." Various option packages are available to further enhance each model's distinct character.

The range of options is extensive, allowing for a highly personalized configuration. A public relations representative shared anecdotes about well-known celebrities agonizing over combinations of body colors and interior packages, suggesting it was a delightful process. The ability to meticulously select options, a trend seen from MINI to Ferrari, is now a hallmark of European cars.

The "Pure" Trim: Appealing to a Broad Audience

True to its appearance, the Range Rover Evoque is characterized by its agile handling. The 2-liter, four-cylinder engine, equipped with a turbocharger, produces a maximum output of 240ps at 5500rpm and a peak torque of 340Nm at 1500rpm. It propels the 1.7-ton vehicle with a lightness that leaves a strong impression.

The engine's strongest power band is felt from around 1800rpm to just over 3000rpm. By keeping the engine within this range using the 6-speed automatic transmission, acceleration and deceleration feel responsive and enjoyable, allowing the car to move as intended.

The 4-door "Pure" comes standard with 17-inch tires, which are well-balanced with the vehicle's weight, providing a comfortable ride. The dampers are set neither too soft nor too hard. The steering, featuring electric assistance – a first for Range Rover – doesn't cause the front end to dip excessively when turning, resulting in a flat, stable driving feel. The steering response is also well-judged, making it appealing to a wide range of drivers.

Over 90% of Parts Redesigned

"We needed to ensure the roofline appeared low without compromising interior space. Simultaneously, as a Land Rover model, it had to remain true to its off-road heritage, requiring adequate ground clearance for uneven terrain. Meeting these requirements was the primary challenge," explained Jaguar Land Rover Japan.

To achieve this, the platform of the existing compact model, the Freelander, was used as a base, but over 90% of the parts were newly designed, and the floor structure was meticulously refined. The rear seats in the 4-door model indeed offer surprisingly ample headroom. There is also sufficient legroom between the rear seats and the front seatbacks. However, the rear seat itself is quite compact, making it less ideal for extended journeys. Some compromise is necessary.

The "Coupe": A Pure Expression of the Evoque's Spirit

The 2-door version, embodying the Evoque's spirit in its purest form, is named the Coupe. Its sharper body lines and distinctively stylish aesthetics are so compelling that one might be drawn to it even over the 4-door, despite the Japanese market's preference for the latter.

The model I test drove was the "Dynamic" trim, characterized by its large 20-inch wheels. It was also equipped with optional "Adaptive Dynamics" suspension featuring "MagneRide," which uses a fluid containing magnetic particles to alter viscosity. This system, designed to minimize body roll, is geared towards those who enjoy sporty driving.

The benefit of the 20-inch tires is a noticeably quicker response when turning. Another advantage is the enhanced stylishness. The Evoque's design concept is best complemented by larger wheels, as it strongly reflects the designer's original vision.

However, the steering gear ratio remains relatively high. Even with the electronically controlled suspension system contributing to a sportier feel, the scope of its influence is limited. While subjective, I personally found the 17-inch tires on the "Pure" trim to be sufficiently enjoyable. It's hard to imagine anyone not finding it fun to drive.

An Agile Crossover with High Aesthetic Value

In other words, the Range Rover Evoque's core concept is so well-executed that even the milder 17-inch "Pure" trim is thoroughly enjoyable. It's a crossover that is appropriately agile and possesses significant aesthetic appeal. Simply put, the Evoque is a distinctive vehicle that will likely be highly appreciated by those who prioritize design.

It appears to be highly popular globally. "We've only secured 800 units for the Japanese market this year. We are constantly negotiating with our headquarters to increase that number, and demand shows no signs of slowing down," says Jaguar Land Rover Japan, expressing a happy predicament. The strong reception for the Evoque, a vehicle conceived for a mature market, is a welcome development from OPENERS' perspective, which values diversity in automotive design.

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE
Body Dimensions: Length 4,355 x Width 1,900 x Height 1,635 [1,605] mm
Wheelbase: 2,660 mm
Vehicle Weight: 1,760 [1,730] kg
Engine: 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder DOHC + Turbocharger
Max Output: 177 kW (240 ps) / 5,500 rpm
Max Torque: 340 Nm (34.7 kgm) / 1,750 rpm
10.15 Mode Fuel Economy: 9.0 km/ℓ
Price: Pure: ¥4,500,000, Prestige: ¥5,780,000, [Coupe Pure: ¥4,700,000, Coupe Dynamic: ¥5,980,000]
*Data in brackets [ ] is for the Coupe model.