Range Rover Evoque is most efficient Land Rover

THE most efficient production Land Rover yet will be unveiled next week in the shape of the 2016 model year Range Rover Evoque.

It is powered by the company’s new four-cylinder Ingenium engine, which delivers 150bhp yet can return fuel economy of up to 68mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 109g/km.

And the Liverpool-built compact SUV, which has been responsible for creating 3,000 new jobs at the Halewood plant in four years, will also boast a raft of fresh design features and technologies.

Land Rover says the new Evoque will have the best residual values in its area of the market plus extended service intervals of 21,000 miles, together making for lower running costs estimated at saving owners around £3,700 over three years.

Design changes include a new front bumper, two new grille designs, all-LED headlamps and three new alloy wheel types, while the cabin heralds new seats, an infotainment system accessed via an eight-inch touchscreen plus fresh colours and materials like Lunar Ice, Vintage Tan and Dark Cherry.

Jaguar Land Rover’s UK chief Jeremy Hicks said: “The Evoque has proven to be an enormous success in the UK with sales of 62,000 since its launch back in 2011.

“Clever design, class leading residuals and competitive cost of ownership have all been contributors to its success.

“The 2016 model year Evoque builds on this achievement with a new engine line-up delivering outstanding CO2 emissions down to 109g/km and for the first time; an all-wheel drive version under 130g/km.”

The Evoque’s engine line-up comprises the all-aluminium Ingenium TD4 diesel, which is appreciably lighter than its predecessor, available in two power outputs.

Evoque eD4 2WD variants have 150bhp and offer the fuel figure of 68mpg and 109g/km emissions while the more potent 180bhp version returns 59mpg and 125g/km emissions.

Also up for grabs is Land Rover’s existing 240bhp Si4 petrol engine, which can accelerate from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds and on to a potential top speed of 135mph. Fuel economy is 36mpg and emissions at 181g/km.

The 2016 model year Evoque will also be the first Land Rover vehicle to be designated as an ‘E-Capability’ variant.

So the most efficient models will wear a blue Evoque badge, applied to the eD4 109g/km coupe and 113g/km five-door front-wheel drive derivatives.

Convenient new technologies include a hands-free tailgate function that enables owners to automatically open and close the tailgate by waving a foot beneath the rear bumper and the company’s All-Terrain Progress Control, first seen on the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

Aimed at reducing stress, the technology maintains a pre-determined speed in forward or reverse gears between 1.1mph and 19mph, allowing the driver to concentrate on negotiating tricky terrain.

More than 400,000 Evoques have been produced globally since its introduction in 2011 making it the fastest-selling Land Rover of all time. Last year, 2014, marked the Evoque’s most successful year to date, with 125,364 global sales.

Prices for the newcomer will be released closer to launch but they are expected to be close to the current range, which start at £29,205. Three trim grades, SE, HSE Dynamic and Autobiography, will be available.