New for 2017
This is the first year the Evoque convertible is on sale.
A crossover like no other
When Land Rover unveiled its first Range Rover Evoque convertible concept at the 2012 New York Auto Show, it was hard to know what to think. Shorn of its roof, the Evoque looked far too radical to be a production car. Nonetheless, Land Rover is putting it into production, giving consumers a vehicle with a unique combination of attributes. After all, how many convertibles can you name with the driving manners of car, high driving position of a crossover, and off-road ability of a Land Rover?
Performance
Like the standard, Evoque, the convertible model is only available with one powertrain. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with standard four-wheel drive. The engine produces 240 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque, which should be plenty to get this convertible crossover down the road.
Land Rover says the Evoque convertible will do 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, and reach a top speed of 112 mph. Going much faster with the top down will probably be detrimental to occupants’ hair, anyway. The Evoque also features an Active Driveline system that switches between front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive to help save fuel. EPA fuel-economy ratings will become available closer to the convertible’s launch later this year.
It may not look like any other Land Rover currently on dealer lots, but the Evoque convertible has the same off-road abilities. It’s designed to scale 45-degree grades, tilt to 35 degrees, and wade through up to 19.7 inches of water. The convertible also comes with Land Rover’s Terrain Response system, which tailors things like throttle response, steering, and shifting for different types of terrain through four modes: General, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud and Ruts, and Sand.
Other helpful driving aids include Hill Descent Control, which automatically maintains a constant speed down steep hills, Hill Start Assist, and Gradient Release Control, which is designed to prevent the vehicle from accelerating too quickly on a steep incline if the driver inadvertently releases the brakes.
Features
The 2017 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque convertible is a two-door, four-seat vehicle. Buyers looking for a more practical vehicle can always take a look at the two-door and four-door Evoque hardtop models. The convertible goes on sale in the middle of this year in two trim levels, priced starting from $50,475.*
The Evoque convertible is still a luxury vehicle, so the base SE Dynamic model comes with plenty of standard equipment, including rain-sensing wipers, leather seats, InControl Touch Pro™ infotainment system with 10.2-inch touchscreen, 10-speaker Meridian® audio system, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
The HSE Dynamic incorporates all of the applicable standard features from the SE Dynamic, but adds or substitutes heated power-folding exterior mirrors with puddle lamps, front fog lamps, Oxford leather seats InControl Touch Pro™ system with navigation, configurable mood lighting, Xenon headlights with LED signature, 20-inch alloy wheels, and 12-speaker Meridian® audio system with dual-channel subwoofer and an amplifier with digital processing for better sound quality.
In addition to the standard equipment, optional features include heated seats, 14-way power climate-controlled front seats, InControl™ Apps app suite, WiFi hotspot, and numerous options for personalization.
Design
As a small crossover, the original Evoque was considered a stretch for Land Rover when it launched in 2011, and at first glance the convertible looks like even more of a departure from traditional Land Rover values. But Land Rover has built plenty of convertibles in the past, so in a way it’s a return to form.
Previously offered in two-door and four-door SUV bodies with sleek, coupe-like styling, the Evoque was the perfect starting point for a convertible. The finished product doesn’t just look like a crossover that’s missing its roof. It looks like a completely different type of vehicle that transcends traditional SUV, Land Rover, and convertible styling.
The convertible roof itself is a Z-fold fabric affair from Webasto. Land Rover chose a soft top over a folding hardtop roof because of its reduced weight, lower center of gravity, and the ability to raise and lower the roof at higher speeds. The roof incorporates a heated glass rear window, and can open in just 18 seconds, or close in 21 seconds.
Converting the Evoque into a convertible doesn’t have as much of an impact on interior space as you might think. There’s 8.9 cubic feet of cargo space whether the roof is up or down, and a ski pass-through to the rear seats for longer items.
Safety
Standard safety equipment on the 2017 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque convertible includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, and a full array or airbags. To account for the removal of the roof, Land Rover also strengthened the A-pillars, added underbody bracing, and equipped the convertible with a rollover-protection system that can deploy in 90 milliseconds.
Optional safety features include a 360-degree parking aid, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and a Driver Condition Monitor designed to help prevent the driver from falling asleep at the wheel.
Verdict
The 2017 Range Rover Evoque convertible both nods to Land Rover’s origins, and takes the company in a new direction.
Be sure to contact us online or visit 3Birds Template at 505 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27516 to schedule a test drive.
*Price shown is Base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. Excludes $995 destination/handling charge, tax, title, license, and retailer fees, all due at signing, and optional equipment. Total Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price includes $995 destination/handling charge and may include optional equipment but excludes tax, title, license, and retailer fees, all due at signing. Retailer price, terms and vehicle availability may vary. See your local authorized Land Rover Retailer for details.
Image: Land Rover
