2017 Range Rover Evoque Convertible: SUV for all-seasons

For lovers of automobiles, the 2017 edition of Range Rover Convertible manufactured by Land Rover will no doubt give a new meaning when it arrives in the market in the middle of the year. Many that have spotted and felt the vehicle say it is undeniably Land Rover’s surprise hit. Various takes on a convertible SUV have come and gone over the years, but is now the time for this style of car to shine? If you were going to pick any current SUV to translate into convertible form, the Range Rover Evoque seems like a logical choice. The Evoque itself is a designer SUV, a stylised fashion statement that bundles looks with Range Rover‘s pedigree in producing SUVs. Back in the ’80s it was a bit of a trend to customise your Range Rover and chop the
roof off. In the sexy opening scenes of Octopussy, released in 1983, James Bond’s stunning squeeze is seen driving a brown Range Rover custom cabriolet. From a statement made available by the luxury automaker and reports of those that have test driven the vehicle, it will not be out of place to describe the Range Rover Evoque Convertible as a sport utility vehicle for allseasons.
With its breath-taking contemporary kinetic design and superb accessibility to suit specifi c lifestyle needs, the fi ve-door version has evolved even further. The fl oating roof, rising belt line and athletic lines have been shaped to truly refl ect today’s city living. The compact premium vehicle, with its sleek individualistic design, delivers a bold interpretation of classic Range Rover cues. Its uncompromising lines and striking touches such as black roof pillars are guaranteed to turn heads. Whilst inside, its aura of relaxed modernity ensures everyone arrives in comfort. The Convertible combines the most striking visual stance with true Land Rover capabilities. It delivers a responsive, agile drive whether in or out of the city. According to Autoblog, an online auto journal, the new Evoque Convertible is a fun, four-seat drop-top that offers capability and comfort. It is available in 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 240 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. Looking at its performance, Autoblog says, “It’s an all-aluminium unit with twin balancer shafts for smoothness, although performance in the 4,268-pound cabrio is well down on that of the standard three-door tin-top. Top speed is quoted at 130 mph (135 for the standard Evoque), with 0-62-mph acceleration coming in at 8.6 seconds (one second slower than the normal car).”
Another online auto reviewer, Roadtrack, looks at the interior of the vehicle as specially sculptured. It says, “Inside, the drop-top Evoque gets Jaguar Land Rover’s updated InControl Touch Pro infotainment system, on a newly-enlarged 10.2-inch display in a slightly oddball 21:9 wide-screen layout. A whole plethora of audio, climate, and optional GPS functions, along with Land Rover’s 360-degree camera suite and Android or Apple smartphone integration, lay just a few fi nger-taps away on that cinema-style screen.” Roadandtrack says the build is based on the two-door Evoque Coupe, but it comes with a canvas top. The vehicle is said to power “open in 18 seconds and closes in 21 at speeds up to 30 mph, Z-folding itself into a space behind the rear seats and stowing completely below the beltline of the car. Subtle yet substantial sheet metal tweaks were required to fi t the Webasto-manufactured top, with all bodywork aft of the doors unique to the Convertible.” Its other features are a deeper, more aggressively-shaped front bumper holds bigger air intakes, while forward lighting options include Halogen, Xenon, or full LED adaptive units.” The Evoque has recently undergone a mid-life facelift (read the review here) and the convertible is based on the three-door coupe version. The soft-top will be available in two trims: the SE Dynamic will be the entry-level offering and the HSE Dynamic is the top spec. The Evoque has fi ve options, Pure, SE, HSE, HSE Dynamic and Autobiography. Interestingly, in Australia, we don’t get the SE Dynamic trim for the coupe or fi ve-door version. There are two engine choices. Firstly, there’s the new tD4 2.0-litre four-cylinder ‘Ingenium’ diesel engine that was introduced to the Evoque in the 2016 facelift which, at 132kW and 430Nm, is the more powerful of the two diesel tunes offered in the regular Evoque. Combined fuel consumption is a claimed 5.1-litres per 100km.