LONDON: Land Rover has unveiled its Range Rover Evoque Convertible for a versatile, all-season convertible SUV.
The convertible will be produced at the Land Rover Halewood plant in the UK, alongside the five-door and coupe body styles, and goes on sale from mid-2016 in more than 170 markets worldwide with a price tag from US$50,475 (RM230,000).
As the newest member of the Range Rover family, it’s purely a four-seat convertible that has 251 litres of luggage space.
According to the British marque, it meets the company’s standards in ensuring excellent structural rigidity together with its trademark refinement as well as its capabilities of both on and off-road.
The company estimates that its Land Rover SUV market will grow by 20% on a global scale over the next five years and its new convertible will help play a key role in continuing its 45-year Range Rover success story.
Externally, the new convertible’s fabric roof has a Z-folding mechanism that opens in 21 seconds (closing takes 18 seconds), which lies flush with the bodywork and can be activated at speeds up to 48kph.
When closed, the roof helps to maintain the original shape of the SUV and it also provides a layer of acoustic insulation to ensure that the interior comfort is on par with the five-door Range Rover Evoque.
Inside, a 10.2-inch touch-screen is installed with Jaguar Land Rover’s next-generation InControl Touch Pro infotainment system that offers seamless smartphone integration, door-to-door navigation, Wi-Fi connectivity as well as a premium sound system.
As for safety, a rollover protection system is hidden within the rear bodywork, which deploys two aluminium bars within 90 milliseconds to create a potential protection space for occupants.
The company also assures that whatever the five-door Evoque is capable of, the convertible is equally competent too with its Terrain Response system giving it its abilities for a variety of conditions for both on and off-road, regardless of seasons.
And, it also has a 240hp turbocharged engine mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox that manages power delivery to its all-wheel drive system.
“The Range Rover Evoque Convertible is a vehicle for all seasons. Its uniquely distinctive design and world-class engineering add another dimension to the Range Rover family, further enhancing its desirability and appeal,” Land Rover design director and chief creative officer Gerry McGovern.
Keyword: VIDEO: Range Rover Evoque drop-top unveiled