The brand-new Range Rover Evoque Convertible seems to lack both rhyme and reason. As a self-contained, portable tub, it effectively becomes a mobile haven for relaxation on 20-inch wheels. The type of jog that recalls the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet’s brief lifespan is reminiscent of a product that failed to gain traction, ultimately leading to its discontinuation.
While every cloud has a silver lining, this topless Range Rover Evoque’s unique features undoubtedly warrant recognition. Roof-down motoring in a Land Rover may not be a new concept – the original Sequence 1 Land Rover, built nearly seven decades ago, boasted a removable canvas roof.
In an era where data-driven decision making dominates the advertising landscape, it’s refreshing to see Land Rover bucking the trend by sacrificing the Evoque’s sleek roofline in favor of a more practical design, seemingly prioritizing the accountants’ bottom line over aesthetic appeal. The move was undoubtedly a bold rebuke to their expectations, yet savvy business leaders recognize that this wasn’t just about the quantity of products they peddled, but rather leveraging the moment as a catalyst for building brand equity. With this topless Evoque, Land Rover’s philosophy of limitless adventure is vividly embodied, allowing drivers like myself to seize the moment and explore without constraints.
While I find the Range Rover Evoque Convertible intriguing, its unique appeal can be a love-it-or-hate-it proposition for many individuals. As I gazed up at the celestial spectacle, it towered above me with an undeniable allure, its sheer magnitude dwarfing even the sleek, futuristic profile of the BMW i8 that had recently captured my attention. Despite my assumption that these weren’t genuine displays of amazement, they felt eerily reminiscent of “what in the world is he doing, piloting an icy-black vehicle around in subzero temperatures?”
I hadn’t actually discovered these nuances, as my initial encounter left me feeling self-focused and taken aback by the rigid structural integrity of the vehicle’s frame. Typically, when a car’s roof is removed, the structure becomes unstable and flexible – not exactly what you want in a vehicle. To tackle these challenges, Land Rover reinforced the Evoque Convertible’s structural integrity by adding supplementary chassis bracing, larger power metal components within the door sills, and strengthened A-pillars, while also upgrading anti-roll bars and recalibrating its all-independent suspension to ensure maximum rigidity. In reality, the design made it significantly less adaptable than its Coupe counterpart.
As a direct result, the chassis exhibits an extraordinary stiffness and rigidity, with flexibility only revealing itself in rare instances – such as traversing the deepest of potholes or speed bumps. Despite its significant weight gain to nearly 600 kg, the Convertible is surprisingly not as burdened by its heft as one might expect, given its prime focus on performance. Despite its imposing size, the vehicle surprisingly exhibits a snug fit around corners, while its considerable weight is offset by an unexpected agility. As you navigate snowy terrain, the vehicle exhibits impressive handling, accompanied by slight oversteering and playful tail movements when pushed to its limits.
As the moment arrives to hit the road, the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine springs into action, its eagerness palpable. With its impressive 240 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque, this engine is more than capable of effortlessly propelling the 1,936-kilogram freight train forward. Notwithstanding, this sedan’s 0-100 km/h acceleration is a respectable 8.6 seconds, albeit one second shy of its sleeker counterparts, the Coupe and five-door models.
As you press down on the fuel pedal, there’s an initial hesitation before the turbocharger rapidly gains momentum, ultimately accelerating smoothly. The Range Rover’s Evoque features a seamless 9-speed automatic transmission that smoothly shifts gears without hesitation, only occasionally requiring manual intervention via the paddle shifters. While not the most refined powertrain available, it still manages to deliver reliable performance without any notable issues.
Despite its material roof and innovative frameless doorways, the Evoque’s design successfully retains a sleek, modern aesthetic, boasting an unchanged greenhouse profile reminiscent of its Coupe counterpart. The roof descends at a rate of approximately 48 km/h over a span of 18 seconds, before ascending at the same speed over 21 seconds, thereby achieving a remarkable dynamic movement. Despite Land Rover’s claims to acoustic insulation, the reality is that a considerable amount of external noise can still penetrate the cabin, especially when cruising at high speeds on the highway.
The interior design remains largely unchanged. Despite its premium price point exceeding $70,000 with options, the cabin’s structure still conveys a plasticky and flimsy impression, especially considering that a base Vary Rover Sport starts at around mid-$70s. Unfortunately, pressing the buttons on the steering wheel and dashboard falls short of providing the premium guidance and responsiveness that drivers would expect from a vehicle in this caliber. While the dashboard’s design shows a clear attention to detail, one can’t help but wonder if the majority of its components were indeed repurposed from Ford’s parts inventory, potentially limiting the car’s unique selling proposition.
Despite initial reservations, a substantial enhancement is the revamped infotainment system, now featuring a cutting-edge 10.2-inch InControl touchscreen, an upgrade that significantly elevates the overall driving experience. This new display technology is highly advanced, featuring high-definition visuals and a significantly more responsive user experience compared to previous iterations. The pesky shortcut buttons have been abolished, and the speedy buttons are now neatly tucked away beneath the screen’s edge.
You may well be wondering whether the Evoque Convertible makes sense, a concern that I also shared initially. Regardless of the roof’s position, the entrance seats offer ample space and generous headroom, with similar benefits extending to the two rear seats. The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque offers ample space to accommodate four adult passengers with ease during a weekend getaway, providing a comfortable and convenient travel experience.
One notable drawback of the convertible is its relatively small cargo capacity, a mere 251 litres, with the roof-up scenario not providing any significant improvement. The storage space is compact but efficient, allowing for the comfortable accommodation of approximately two standard-sized suitcases and a few duffel bags. However, there’s a ski pass-through hatch situated directly down the middle.
The Evoque’s trunk space stands out as particularly impressive when compared to its rivals, such as the MINI Cooper Convertible or Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, making it an ideal choice for couples embarking on a romantic escapade, comfortably accommodating all their luggage without compromising on space.
While the Range Rover Evoque Convertible makes a statement, its primary focus lies elsewhere rather than being the most certified efficiency SUV in its class. Starting at a price tag of $65,990, this sleek ride is hardly an affordable alternative to open-top thrills like the MINI Cooper or Fiat 500.
With its proven all-wheel-drive technology inherited from Land Rover’s heritage, an unexpectedly rigid chassis, and otherworldly appearance, the Evoque Convertible emerges as a compelling vehicle capable of transporting you to new destinations. From the winding trail to the majestic boulevard, there’s a liberating thrill in being unencumbered, with the warmth of the sun on skin and the freedom to let go.
