Skip advert
Advertisement

Range Rover Evoque convertible confirmed for production

Land Rover finally confirms that Range Rover cabriolet will definitely be produced

Land Rover has finally announced it will build the long-awaited Range Rover Evoque convertible. The news follows several years of speculation and rumours, as well as some convincing concept cars. The new car will go on sale in 2016.

As with previous mock-ups, the new Evoque convertible will have a folding fabric roof and will be built alongside the five-door and coupe versions of the model at the firm's factory in Halewood, Merseyside.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Although no official announcement has been made, Carbuyer understands the Evoque convertible will be powered by the same engines as the three and five-door versions of the model. If so, the Evoque convertible could spawn an eD4 model – the name Land Rover uses for the most efficient versions of its cars.

The car is also likely to be available as a fuel-saving front-wheel-drive model. A four-wheel-drive version, which will feature the same grip-enhancing technology as the standard Evoque, is also expected to be offered.

Land Rover will inevitably need to strengthen the Evoque's chassis to make up for the loss of rigidity in the roof, and the roof mechanism could eat into available boot space when folded down.

Land Rover's official photographs show the car driving in a tunnel built as part of London's Crossrail project.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Since its launch in 2011, the Range Rover Evoque has become the car maker's best-selling model. The Evoque accounts for one in three Land Rovers produced, and one is built every 80 seconds.

A facelifted version of the Evoque will be shown to the public at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday. The new car features slightly revised styling inside and out, with new seat fabrics, improved interior materials and a new, wider range of personalisation options.

Those options include a raft of new paint colours, new contrasting roof colours and a new range of alloy wheel designs. Land Rover's design boss Gerry McGovern said while some car makers offer enormous scope for customisation, the Evoque will allow buyers to customise their cars in a way that "protects design integrity".

The 2016 Evoque will be powered by Land Rover's new 'Ingenium' engines. The all-new engines, built at the firm's new £500m Wolverhampton engine factory, promise CO2 emissions as low as 109g/km and fuel economy of up to 68mpg.

McGovern also confirmed an all-new version of the Evoque is under development. The next-generation Evoque is likely to build on the current car's trend for greater efficiency through improved engines and reduced weight. But he also suggested the design of the new car would be an evolution rather than revolution.

He said the design of "luxury product refines and evolves" and he doesn't want the new car to change for the sake of change. He pointed to the continued design evolution of the Porsche 911, Volkswagen Golf and Apple iPhone.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The 10 best large SUVs on sale in 2024
Best large SUVs
Best cars
25 Sep 2024

The 10 best large SUVs on sale in 2024

Range Rover Evoque review – a stylish small SUV with some drawbacks
Range Rover Evoque
In-depth reviews
12 Aug 2024

Range Rover Evoque review – a stylish small SUV with some drawbacks

Range Rover review – comfy and luxurious, but not perfect
RR 1
In-depth reviews
22 Jul 2024

Range Rover review – comfy and luxurious, but not perfect

Top 10 best used luxury cars 2024
best used luxury cars
Best cars
20 Mar 2024

Top 10 best used luxury cars 2024

Most Popular

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: details and first drive of the sleek executive four-door
BMW M235 Gran Coupe front quarter
News
26 Nov 2024

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: details and first drive of the sleek executive four-door

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s Black Friday offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
29 Nov 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s Black Friday offers

New Audi Q5 Sportback lands with SUV stance and a swoopy roof
Audi SQ5 Sportback front quarter
News
26 Nov 2024

New Audi Q5 Sportback lands with SUV stance and a swoopy roof

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024