The Range Rover Evoque changed Land Rover forever. Before its introduction in 2012, the 4×4 maker’s SUVs were attractive but in a functional, boxy way. The British brand then focused on the latest trends and fashion as well as off-road vehicles and country station wagons.
At the opening event in 2012, Victoria Beckham spoke about her role in its creation. “I designed a car that I wanted to drive,” she said at the time. However, Chief Creative Officer Gerry McGovern has since corrected the matter somewhat, stating that Posh Spice had exaggerated their role in the development of the Evoque.
Still, by 2016, more than half a million Evoques had been sold worldwide in more than 180 countries, with Land Rover calling it its “biggest sales success story.”
Given the model’s history, it is hardly surprising that the designers of the latest Evoque have opted for a technologically evolutionary approach to the urban-oriented SUV.
This iteration comes in four different models; Range Rover Evoque S, Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE and finally Autobiography, all of which have a plug-in hybrid option. WIRED got its hands on the top-of-the-range Autobiography model during a brand-hosted drive in the Champagne wine region of northeastern France. But will it be a vintage year for JLR?
On the surface, the changes are subtle; Inside, the major overhaul has really taken place. However, the Evoque’s exterior presence is enhanced by a new grille and revised super-slim Pixel LED headlights with signature DRL (Daytime Running Lights), creating a technical, jewel-like appearance. New exterior accents also complement the signature “floating roof” that defines the Range Rover design DNA.
The new super-slim Pixel LED headlights aren’t just for show either – they house JLR’s new advanced headlight technology. Each light has 26 individual LED segments that automatically turn on or off to supposedly provide the most effective beam of light forward at all times. These segments also contain sensors that scan the roads in front of you and on both sides. When another vehicle is in sight, the LEDs in the covered area turn off, ensuring you don’t blind any oncoming vehicle.
Speed detection cameras mounted in the headlights detect speed warning signs and instantly tell you how fast you should be driving on a particular road. However, when driving on the highway, the cameras would occasionally capture side street signs, thereby displaying an incorrect value on the dashboard.
All about the inside
Photo: Land Rover
We see the big changes in the interior. The interior of the Evoque is based on its big brother, the flagship Range Rover, with comfortable seats, high-quality materials and a stylish touchscreen infotainment system that incorporates all the technology from previous models. More on that in a moment.