After teasing us at the end of September with a single photo, Land Rover today came out with more details and a full image gallery of the 5-door version of the Range Rover Evoque ahead of its global debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, on November 17.
The Evoque Coupe's five-door sibling combines the same bold design, first seen on the Land Rover Concept Car, with increased space and more practicality."While retaining everything that's great about the Range Rover Evoque coupé, this new 5-Door bodystyle will offer customers even more choice, greater practicality, versatility and flexibility" said Land Rover's Managing Director Phil Popham.
Design-wise, the rising beltline and muscular look are still there, but the 5-door has a slightly higher roof, as it's 30 mm taller than the coupe. Even though the overall length and width remained the same, Land Rover's designers managed to offer 50mm (2 inches) more shoulder room for the rear seat passengers, alongside ample headroom.
Opting for a full-sized glass panoramic roof, which lets plenty of natural light through, can further enhance the sensation of space.
The Evoque will offer customers the ability to specify premium leather packages, which can cover almost any surface of the interior. Furthermore, it gets 60/40 folding seat squabs with ISOFIX child seat mounts and, when required, luggage capacity can be expanded to a decent 1,445 liters.
Most of the SUV's functions can be controlled by using an intuitive touch-screen display, available with dual-view technology, so that driver and passenger can access separate functions or content at the same time. Integrated Bluetooth and a range of USB and auxiliary inputs are also available.
There's also a new, high-end sound system from Meridian, which offers 17 speakers for a total of 825 W of surround-sound performance.
Underneath the sheetmetal, the Evoque can be equipped with the optional Adaptive Dynamics System with MagneRide that promises to offer a better balance between handling and ride quality, while the company's signature Terrain Response manages the full-time four-wheel-drive system in off-road conditions. The Evoque is also the first Range Rover to offer a front-wheel drive option.
The turbocharged powertrain line-up is shared with the Coupe and consists of modern petrol and diesel engines, said to offer "four-cylinder efficiency with six-cylinder refinement and power".
Diesel variants will make up the bulk of sales in Europe, so it's no surprise that the 2.2-liter unit has two derivatives, with 150 hp (112 kW) and 190 hp (142 kW).
The lonely 2.0-liter petrol unit combines turbocharging with direct fuel injection and twin variable valve timing to produce a very respectable 240 hp or 179 kW.
The 5-door Range Rover Evoque will go on sale in more than 160 countries starting from summer 2011 with a base price of £30,000 in the UK, and from US$45,000 in the US. More details (performance figures, photos, etc.) are likely to emerge during next week's LA Auto Show.
By Csaba Daradics
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