Lid lifts on Range Rover Evoque Convertible

Land Rover is calling the new Range Rover Evoque Convertible the first truly capable convertible – an open top car for all seasons.

And when the newcomer hits UK streets next spring it will cost from £47,500.

Also heralded as the world’s first luxury compact SUV convertible, it comes with a fully automated fabric roof that stows in 18 seconds and can be raised in 21 seconds at speeds up to 30mph.

The promise is of high standards of refinement when closed thanks to a layer of acoustic insulation to ensure interior comfort on a par with the five-door Evoque.

Nor does the position of the roof affect load space, as a 251-litre boot offers unrivalled practicality for a convertible.

Not only is the fabric roof the longest and widest currently fitted to any vehicle on sale today but its Z-fold mechanism is flush with the rear bodywork for a sleek appearance when lowered.

As the fifth member of the Range Rover family – and the first ever convertible – the newcomer seats four and features a choice of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.

Diesel power comes from the company’s 2.0-litre Ingenium units boasting fuel economy of up to 55mpg and CO2 emissions from 149g/km. There is also the 240PS Si4 petrol engine.

All-terrain capability is the same as the Evoque five-door and Coupe variants so the likes of four-wheel drive, nine-speed auto transmission, Terrain Response system and Wade Sensing are included.

Inside is a high-res 10.2-inch touchscreen with Jaguar Land Rover’s next-generation infotainment set-up – InControl Touch Pro – for smartphone integration, door-to-door navigation, 3G connectivity and a premium sound system.

Safety features include a roll-over protection device with deployable bars, which deploy within 90milliseconds, hidden in the rear bodywork.

Land Rover design director Gerry McGovern said: “Range Rover Evoque Convertible is a vehicle for all seasons. Its uniquely distinctive design and world-class engineering adds another dimension to the Range Rover family, further enhancing its desirability and appeal.”

Cars will be built at Land Rover’s Halewood plant on Merseyside and prices start at £47,500 for a TD4 HSE Dynamic derivative.