A Bold and Stylish Body

I've been to major ski resorts around the world many times for international test drives of European cars, including off-roaders. I recall Innsbruck, Vancouver, and Chamonix. And this time, it's the snowy mountains again. The location is a corner of the Alps, east of Lyon, France.

Courchevel is famous and a dream destination for ski enthusiasts. It comprises three valleys with numerous slopes. At the same time, it's also known as a luxury resort, attracting royalty, celebrities, and VIPs. Consequently, the hotels that welcome them are equally lavish. There are over 20 five-star hotels, and some are even said to be six-star.

The "Evoque Convertible" international test drive was held in such an area. An exclusive European resort is a perfect fit for the Range Rover family. As expected, the closer we got to the ski resort, the more luxury cars we encountered.

The Evoque Convertible is a model that seems to have brought the concept car directly to production. Its styling, which could be called an evolution of the SUV, looks surprisingly natural and not bulky in person, more so than in photos. This is likely because it was developed based on a coupe. The lines along the body side are also sharper than I expected. It's designed with considerable boldness and style.

A High Level of Perfection from the Start

First, about the soft top: the fabric top opens in about 18 seconds and closes in 21 seconds. It can be operated while driving at speeds up to 48 km/h, so you won't panic if the light turns green while you're still opening the roof at a stoplight. Start slowly, and the blue sky will open up above you.

The fabric is five-layered, and four motors operate the large top. It weighs about 68 kg. This is theoretically 30 percent lighter than a hardtop of the same mass, contributing to a lower center of gravity. Furthermore, the rigidity of this fabric top is quite impressive. When closed, I almost forgot it wasn't a metal top. I should also mention how quiet the operation is. The four motors are remarkably silent.

When asked if they considered a retractable hardtop, the answer was an immediate "no." This is because the car's development began with an excellent initial sketch, and that sketch was of a fabric top, so no one questioned it.

The model lineup includes diesel engines with different power outputs and the familiar gasoline engine. The former are Ingenium TD4 (150ps/180ps), and the latter is the Si4 (240ps). All are 4WD; there are no FWD models.

I primarily test-drove the gasoline engine. While diesel might be introduced later, for now, this is the model for Japan. There are no particular highlights regarding the powertrain, but the engine and transmission are well-matched. Overall, the car feels very solid. As the closed-body Evoque has improved year by year, the convertible was likely released in a highly refined state.

A Ride Quality Beyond Compare

Thus, there are no issues with the driving performance. Naturally, the side sills and suspension have been reinforced for increased rigidity, but this does not detract from its agility. The steering rigidity is high, and it offered a pleasant drive with neutral steering.

One of the highlights of this model is its electronic control systems. These systems prove their worth on snowy roads, but for Range Rover family vehicles, this is perhaps not surprising. The evolved Hill Descent Control can not only control descents but also apply traction to move forward while adjusting speed.

However, when I think about it again, we drove around on studded tires even on non-snowy roads, so the ride comfort was beyond my expectations. Of course, the development team likely set the course with confidence in this aspect, but it's simply superb.

This is my first impression, but there are many things I hope for in the future. I would like to see more color options for the fabric roof to enhance its fashionability. Few car manufacturers today can create such epoch-making vehicles. In that sense, the Range Rover Evoque Convertible is a car that Land Rover should nurture with care.

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible Si4 240PS｜
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible Si4 240PS
Body Dimensions｜Overall Length 4,370 × Overall Width 1,980 × Overall Height 1,609 mm
Wheelbase｜2,660 mm
Vehicle Weight｜1,936 kg
Engine｜1,999cc Inline 4-cylinder DOHC Turbocharged
Maximum Output｜176.5 kW (240 ps) / 5,800 rpm
Maximum Torque｜340 Nm / 1,750 rpm
Transmission｜9-speed AT
Drivetrain｜4WD
Brakes (Front/Rear)｜Ventilated Discs / Ventilated Discs
Tires｜235/45R18
Fuel Economy (EU Combined)｜8.6 ℓ/100km (11.6km/ℓ)
CO2 Emissions｜201 g/km
0-100km/h Acceleration｜8.6 seconds
Maximum Speed｜209 km/h
Minimum Turning Radius｜5.65 meters
Luggage Capacity｜251 ℓ
Approach Angle｜19 degrees
Departure Angle｜31 degrees
Ramp Breakover Angle｜18.9 degrees
Wading Depth｜500 mm