Range Rover's best-selling model, the Evoque gets a facelift for 2016.
As its best-selling model, Land Rover has a lot riding on the fashion-forward Range Rover Evoque. And it hopes to keep momentum building with the upcoming launch of the 2016 Evoque facelift at the Geneva Motor Show.
First introduced as a 2012 model, the Range Rover Evoque served as the British maker’s first entry into the booming compact luxury utility vehicle market. And it proved an instant hit with its blend of functionality, performance and a funky, coupe-like design. Sales last year continued their upward trajectory, in the U.S. Evoque sales rising 9% to 12,440.
“Our challenge has been to evolve the Range Rover Evoque design without diluting its distinctive character,” Land Rover Design Director Gerry McGovern said, ahead of the Geneva debut of the 2016 refresh.
Key styling signatures, notably the rising beltline and the rearward sloping roof, remain hallmarks for the updated Evoque. But there are some notable exterior updates, including a new front bumper, and two different grille designs. The basic version uses a fine mesh with twin crossbars, while the Dynamic models get a hexagonal pattern. Three new alloy wheels also are being added for 2016.
The Evoque is part of one of the hottest-selling segments: luxury compact sport-utility vehicles.
The five-door HSE Dynamic model now gets the hood vents previously offered only on the three-door.
For 2016, fully adaptive LED headlamps are now available, along with the standard LED daytime running lamps.
From the rear, the 2016 Evoque will get wider, slimmer LED lamps and a new spoiler. It will also add a useful new tech feature, dubbed Gesture Tailgate, allowing a motorist to open the rear hatch simply by waggling a foot under the bumper.
There are a number of new tech features, in fact, including a Driver Drowsing Monitor that watches for the sort of steering inputs that might suggest a motorist is falling asleep. If that happens, it will flash a visual warning and then an audible alarm.
Inside, the infotainment system now can be operating using smartphone-style swipe gestures, and smartphone apps can controlled from the touchscreen. A buyer can opt to upgrade from a basic six-speaker system up to two Meridian audiophile packages using either 11 or 17 speakers.
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From a safety standpoint, the 2016 Range Rover Evoque will offer such high-tech systems as Lane Keeping Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Attention Assist and All-Terrain Progress Control.
The updated Evoque will get two new all-aluminum Ingenium diesel engines. The base model makes 148 horsepower and gets 18% better mileage than the older design oil-burner it replaces. It also will go 28% longer between servicing, Land Rover claims. The bigger diesel will make 178 horsepower.
(Click Here for details about the expansion of diesels in the Range Rover line-up.)
On the gasoline side, Range Rover carries over the 240-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter direct-injection inline-four.
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For the moment, the maker isn’t saying whether just one or both of the diesels will make it to the States. And it hasn’t confirmed pricing for the 2016 Range Rover Evoque, either. That’s likely to come closer to the on-sale date later in 2015.