Range Rover Evoque – strong, sweet and near silent

THE runaway success of the Range Rover Evoque shows no sign of slowing down.

On the contrary, worldwide demand for the Liverpool-built luxury SUV is actually still on the rise, more than 600,000 cars having been produced since its inception nearly seven years ago.

An Evoque rolls off the Halewood production line every 170 seconds, with Evoque Convertible also being produced in Halewood since 2016.

Most are for export to one of 130 markets, with additional manufacturing in China and Brazil to meet local demand.

A whopping 80 per cent of those vehicles have been exported, and with 200 global awards to its name, it’s understandable how this most decorated Range Rover model commands such appeal.

And the Evoque has entered 2018 with some extra strings to its bow in the shape of Land Rover’s latest Ingenium engine technology bringing cleaner, more spirited, performance to the line-up.

Two new petrol engines plus a lusty diesel have added more weight to the company’s long-term commitment to cut toxic emissions and improve fuel economy across its vehicle range.

Designed, engineered and built in the UK, the engines are actually the most advanced Land Rover has ever produced.

The pair of 2.0-litre petrol units come with a choice of 240 or 290bhp of punch, while the existing 150bhp eD4 and 180bhp TD4 diesels have been joined by a new twin-turbocharged 240bhp unit.

The latter engine was the one beneath the bonnet of our tested Evoque, in mid-spec HSE Dynamic trim and put through its paces over 500 miles of mixed urban and motorway driving.

Strong, sweet and near silent, the new diesel is as lively as its 0-62mph acceleration time of 7.3 seconds suggests – and we also got within six miles per gallon of its official Combined fuel figure of 48.7mpg.

Some added extras in the tested model, like magnetic damping at £850 and a heated steering wheel (£200), ensured a supple ride in the cold of winter.

As an SD4, all-wheel drive plus the brand’s Terrain Response set-up ensures greater off-road ability and operates at the push of a finger for general conditions; sand; mud and ruts; and grass, gravel and snow.

Dial in the car’s Hill Descent Control system and there a few conditions the Evoque can’t cope with.

Otherwise the Evoque features a beautifully appointed and spacious cabin complete with perforated leather seats, a raised driving position and enough boot space to dispose of the Christmas tree.

You also get front and rear parking aids, 20-inch alloy wheels, 12-way electric seats, sat-nav, keyless entry, a 10-inch touchscreen and 380W Meridian Surround sound in addition to a raft of safety kit like Lane Departure Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking.