Range Rover updates Evoque

RANGE Rover has added its Ingenium diesel engine to its entry level Evoque range, taking the opportunity to align the mid-size SUV’s model line-up with its full-sized stablemates at the same time.

Gone are the Dynamic and Prestige grades, replaced with more familiar SE, HSE, HSE Dynamic and Autobiography monikers. The entry-level Pure line-up remains intact.

A raft of minor exterior and interior changes accompany the mid-life facelift, including adaptive LED headlights, new seats and styling changes inside and out.

Prices have changed slightly across the 14-variant range, with the entry level manual-only front-wheel-drive Pure three-door costing $500 more at $51,995 plus on-road costs.

The range-topping Si4 HSE Dynamic costs $80,605 in both three and five-door variants before on-roads, which is a $475 reduction over the previous range’s top price.

The realignment means that Range Rover has shed 19 variants from the 2015 line-up, with customers able to choose from ten five-door and four three-door models across the range.

“There were a total of 32 variants across the Evoque range this year,” said JLR Australia senior public affairs executive James Scrimshaw. “We have reduced that down to 13 and followed the same naming convention as other models, such as the Range Rover Sport.”

Mr Scrimshaw confirmed that the restructure was implemented at a global level, and that the revisions will help the Evoque locally.

“We feel that the enhancements to the 2016 model Range Rover Evoque are substantial and striking, and this will have a positive effect on sales,” he told GoAuto. “Realigning the trim level names should make it simpler for potential customers to better understand the model range.”

The Evoque, launched locally in 2011, is tracking third in its upper-mid-size SUV segment, posting 1743 sales to the end of August it sits four per cent below its 2014 tally. The Audi Q5 on 2667 leads the category, followed by the BMW X3 on 1995 sales.

Range Rover has dropped in Jaguar Land Rover’s new Euro 6-compliant 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel Ingenium engine under the bonnet of the Evoque to replace the SD4 and HD4 diesels. The 30kg lighter engine will be available in two states of tune a 110kW/380Nm and 132kW/430Nm, with fuel economy rated at 4.4 and 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres respectively.

The 177kW/340Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine remains unchanged, returning 8.7L/100km.

Range Rover has also fitted the Evoque with the Land Rover-sourced All Terrain Progress Control option from the SE upwards. The switchable mode allows a driver to set a speed between 1.8 and 30km/h in off-road terrain via the cruise control stalk, and the Evoque will do the rest.

A six-speed manual gearbox or ZF nine-speed automatic transmission can be combined with either two- or four-wheel drive.

The nose of the Evoque now sports a pair of taller intakes on a redesigned bumper which also houses new LED fog-lights, while customers can choose one of two grilles – one with two horizontal bars and mesh, and a second with a hexagonal design and mesh for the more dynamic variants.

New adaptive LED headlights are offered as an option, and the Evoque also gets new LED daytime running lights.

A new rear spoiler with an updated LED rear brake light has been added, while the bonnet vents – previously available only on the three-door – are now fitted on five-door HSE Dynamic and Autobiography variants.

There are also three new alloy wheels designs to choose from.

A tweaked instrument binnacle, new door panels and fresh soft-touch materials make up the interior changes. New seats in the entry grades are six-way adjustable, while top-end models can be adjusted 14 ways. They are also fitted with a massage function.

A new 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard on some variants, while on higher-grade variants get HDD-based navigation. A pair of 8.0-inch entertainment screens are optional for the rear seat passengers.

2016 Range Rover Evoque pricing*

5 Door
eD4 PURE	$51,995
Td4 150 PURE	$55,495
Td4 150 PURE (a)	$57,995
Td4 150 SE (a)	$62,495
Td4 180 SE (a)	$66,495
Si4 SE (a)	$67,605
Td4 180 HSE (a)	$73,495
Si4 HSE (a)	$76,605
Td4 180 HSE Dynamic (a)	$76,995
Si4 HSE Dynamic (a)	$80,605
Coupe
Td4 180 HSE (a)	$73,495
Si4 HSE (a)	$76,605
Td4 180 HSE Dynamic (a)	$76,995
Si4 HSE Dynamic (a)	$80,605

*Excludes on-road costs