Range Rover Evoque Evolves for the 2014 Model Year | Range Rover

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

Range Rover Evoque Receives Minor Updates

The premium compact SUV from Land Rover,Range Rover Evoquehas undergone a minor change, now featuring a newly developed transmission.

Text by Koutaro Uekusa

Equipped with the World's First 9-Speed Automatic for Passenger Cars

The "Range Rover Evoque," first unveiled in 2009 and selling over 170,000 units in its first 18 months, has evolved into a 2014 model equipped with a variety of the latest technologies.

It now features the "9HP," the world's first 9-speed automatic transmission for passenger cars, which was first revealed at the Geneva Motor Show this March. This transmission is characterized by its reaction speed, which ZF describes as "below the threshold of perception," and its "Adaptive Shift Program" that quickly adapts to the driver's style. The increased number of gears and improved efficiency not only enhance economy and reduce emissions but also improve driving performance and comfort.

The optional "Active Driveline" is the world's first "on-demand" all-wheel-drive system. It constantly monitors the vehicle and road conditions, automatically switching between two-wheel and four-wheel drive in as little as approximately 300 milliseconds when necessary.

Furthermore, it distributes torque between the rear wheels using "Active Torque Biasing" with electronic differential (e-Diff) technology.

This enhances traction and stability. Combined with the "Torque Vectoring by Braking" system, which is integrated into both the Active Driveline and the standard all-wheel-drive system of the Range Rover Evoque, it controls torque distribution across all four wheels to reduce understeer and improve handling.

When cruising stably at speeds above 22 mph (approx. 35 km/h), drive is disengaged from the rear wheels, powering only the front wheels to improve agility and fuel efficiency. With the introduction of these new technologies alongside the 9-speed automatic transmission, the new Evoque achieves up to an 11.4 percent improvement in fuel economy and up to a 9.5 percent reduction in CO2 emissions.

The 2014 model also enhances its driver assistance systems, featuring "Park Exit," which automatically maneuvers the vehicle out of a parallel parking space, and "Perpendicular Park," which automatically positions the vehicle in the center of a parking bay.

Additionally, the "Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)" includes "Queue Assist," which allows the vehicle to follow and smoothly decelerate or stop when the vehicle ahead slows down and stops. It also incorporates functions such as "Forward Alert," which provides audible and visual warnings when the distance to the vehicle ahead becomes too close, and "Intelligent Emergency Braking."

Furthermore, seven new driver assistance systems have been adopted, including "Closing Vehicle Sensing" and "Reverse Traffic Detection" to warn of approaching vehicles, "Lane Departure Warning" to alert if the vehicle drifts out of its lane, "Traffic Sign Recognition" to identify road signs, and "Wade Sensing" to warn of water depth when crossing rivers.

The exterior has also received minor updates, including four new alloy wheel designs, a revised grille, and new-style Land Rover badges on the wheel centers and tailgate. The interior color options have also been refreshed.