LAND ROVER Malaysia’s latest Range Rover Evoque, launched just last week looks set to be the start of a new trend in SUV ownership.
In addition to being the most sporty-looking SUV ever to be launched by Land Rover, it is also the smallest (insofar as Range Rovers are concerned) and the most fuel-efficient of its model ever made.
The Evoque is based on the Freelander 2 platform, and if you look at it, you can still see the Freelander DNA clearly imprinted on the body lines.
The engines are also derivatives of the same lineage, but of course, there are upgrades and developments that make the Evoque a different kettle of fish altogether.
Perhaps (my opinion solely) the best thing that Land Rover has done is to name it a Range Rover instead of calling it a Freelander.
The Range Rover has a more prestigious heritage, and while one would hesitate paying so much for a Freelander, one might not mind buying the more affordable Range Rover.
The pre-bookings are already in excess of 250 units, a booking number that (as far as I can remember) has never happened before in Malaysia for any Range Rover launch.
There are three variants available, and their on-the-road, excluding insurance, prices are:
RM393,888 (Peninsular Malaysia) and RM397,388 (Sabah and Sarawak) for the 2.0-litre petrol Coupe Dynamic Plus;
RM363,888 (Peninsular Malaysia) and RM367,388 (Sabah and Sarawak) for the 2.0-litre petrol five-door Prestige; and
RM353,888 (Peninsular Malaysia) and RM357,388 (Sabah and Sarawak) for the 2.2-litre diesel five-door Prestige.
The 2.0-litre petrol models are powered by a new 240PS petrol engine with direct fuel injection, twin variable valve timing and turbo-charged.
Translated into user language, it means great driveability and good fuel economy.
Acceleration from zero to 100kph is mooted at 7.6 seconds, which leaves many cars behind in its dust.
The diesel model is fitted with the familiar 190PS turbo-diesel currently found in the Freelander 2. What is new is a six-speed automatic transmission which increases the driving flexibility and provides smoother acceleration, plus smoother and more seamless downshifts.
Land Rover Malaysia is very upbeat about the new Range Rover Evoque. According to Land Rover Malaysia managing director Mohd Hazem Abdul Rahman, the Evoque is one of the most important and exciting vehicles in a generation from Land Rover.
He said: “With its cutting-edge lines and sporty, dynamic profile, the Evoque is a game-changer for the Range Rover brand. It defines a completely new segment in the SUV market and is set to change mindsets.
“In the Evoque, we have for the first time, a breakthrough product that should appeal to those who have never considered a Land Rover, Range Rover or SUV before.”
The Evoque may be a quantum leap in Range Rover design but both the coupe and five-door models remain true to the brand’s core values of premium luxury and formidable all-terrain performance.
Combine them with dynamic and sporty handling, this implies the Evoque remains a go-anywhere vehicle, be it off-road or on.
Mohd Hazem added: “The Evoque really does give you the best of everything – stunning concept car looks combined with day-to-day comfort and practicality and unmatched 4x4 capabilities.
“The market seems to agree as we have already secured more than 250 pre-bookings even before this official launch.”
To complement the car’s responsive on-road handling, the Evoque features a full suite of traction and stability systems that includes dynamic stability control (DSC), roll stability control (RSC), traction control system (TCS), trailer stability assist (TSA), hill start assist, hill descent control (HDC), gradient release control (GRC) and engine drag torque control (EDC).
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