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Land Rover embraces minimalism… more

Land Rover has revealed the new design of the Range Rover Evoque. In a press release with more footnotes than a PhD thesis, this compact SUV has been refreshed and – drum roll please – there are no massive changes.

This mild hybrid with a 14.9kWh battery is now capable of up to 62 Kilometers of pure electric range in official tests. Though Land Rover cites 48 km of real-world range.

The P300e electric hybrid powertrain combines the three-cylinder Ingenium engine with an 80kW motor. Land Rover reckons that set-up only puts out 31g/km of CO2 emissions on longer journeys.

To make those longer journeys shorter, rapid charging capacity means its advanced battery will go from 0-80 per cent state of charge (SoC) in only 30 minutes, recharging fully on a 7kW charge point in two hours. Bear in mind, it’s a pretty small battery.

Outside, there’s a new grille, fancy new daytime running lights and, just like the last iteration, deployable handles. Pixel LED headlights, to a count of 67, enable a precisely controlled intelligent matrix feature, and to the rear, the LEDs create a super-red hue that apparently improves visibility.

Inside, the Evoque’s a bit more roomy, It was pretty minimalist before, but now everything has been stripped back. Gone are the separate climate buttons. The facelift features an 11.4in curved touchscreen to house the Pivi Pro infotainment and Alexa voice control. Dual SIM integration means you can have a 4G/5G data connection directly from the car.

Some drivers might be sad to learn of virtual sidebars with multi-functional controls and shortcuts to frequently used menus. But helpfully, Land Rover has configured the Welcome screen, what it terms its ‘Pre-Drive menu’ with everything you might need before starting a journey, such as the window demisters and heated seats.

The brand boasts that 80 per cent of the functionality in the cabin can be done within two taps from the home screen. Yet, for customers dedicated to their mobile eco-systems, there’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The suite of cameras for driver assistance, remote updates and companion app continue to help the Evoque compete when it comes to sophisticated connected tech.

Land Rover is keen to emphasise the extensive testing it's done on the leather-free interior, exposing the Kvadrat – no, not the newest addition to the Ikea family of wardrobes, but the vegan-friendly wool blend upholstery – to days of abrasive wear and sunlight intensity to simulate years of use. The fact it’s been used suggests the fabric has stood the test of, er, not so much time.

The brand also tells us there’s a fancy air filtration tech to help driver alertness.

Source

Author
Top Gear

As Motoring Journalists, we have spent the past two decades reporting on the latest developments in the automotive industry. Our passion for cars began at a young age, and we have been fortunate enough to turn that passion into successful careers.

We have covered a wide range of topics related to cars and the automotive industry. From the latest car models to the impact of new technologies on the industry, we have always been at the forefront of reporting on the latest developments. I have also interviewed some of the biggest names in the industry, from CEOs of major automakers to famous racing drivers.


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