India-bound 2019 Range Rover Evoque: What we know so far

The Range Rover Evoque was introduced back in 2011 and it was so revolutionary, the British carmaker carried it on without many significant changes for almost eight years. Now, the cheeky looking SUV is ready to enter into a new generation which will be revealed in a couple of days’ time on 22 November. Here is everything we know so far about the India-bound second-gen Range Rover Evoque. 

1.    Velar-like design

We know now that the design of the second-gen Evoque has taken its inspiration from the avant-garde Velar. This is expected to lend more street presence to the baby Range Rover along with a more stately appearance.

The headlamps and the grille have taken a direct inspiration from the elder sibling. Meanwhile, the Evoque’s characteristic sloping roof has been retained with a sleeker rear windscreen and a nicely sculpted derriere. The high-placed slim tail lights will have a connecting panel that runs across the tailgate akin to the one seen on the Velar. And there faux bash plates are present on both the bumpers along with body cladding to give the new Evoque a rugged appeal. 

2.    Revised platform

The second-gen Evoque continues to use the same LR-MS platform as the model it replaces but it is heavily revised. It shares this platform with Jaguar’s E-Pace and Land Rover’s Discovery Sport. It’s the same D8 architecture which has inspired the upcoming Tata Harrier’s Omega platform. 

The new platform signifies significant changes in the dimensions. And the increased size of the body shell points to more usable space inside the cabin. According to recent reports, the Evoque will discontinue the two-door version in the new generation owing to its reduced demands. On the other hand, the Evoque Convertible shall arrive in a few years’ time. 

3.    Modern cabin layout 

Similar to the exterior styling, even the cabin of the new Evoque is heavily inspired by the Velar. We have already seen the cabin in the spied images and we know that the new Evoque has a fully digital centre console along with a digital instrument cluster. There are two high-definition 10-inch touchscreens set-up as seen in the expensive Range Rovers these days. The upper screen controls the infotainment while the lower screen has a facility for air conditioning and other essential controls. The gear lever also shifts to conventional joystick instead of the previous car’s (even the Velar’s) circular dial. Moreover, the steering wheel and instrument cluster also seem to be scrounged directly from the Velar, thus lending the cabin a premium feel.

Feature-wise, we expect a plethora of driver aids such as park assist, lane keeping aid, adaptive cruise, traffic sign recognition, 360-degree surround camera and semi-autonomous features.

4.    Probable Hybrid powertrain

JLR has revised the entire powertrain line-up for the new-gen Evoque. The new line of Ingenium petrol and diesel engines will find their way under the hood. This is the same 2.0-litre turbocharged motor which powers the E-Pace and will be available in different states of tune with a power output ranging from 150-300bhp. The transmission is a ZF-sourced nine-speed automatic. 

However, it is understood that the Evoque will be the first Land Rover to get an electrified powertrain but we guess that will come later. It will use a 1.5-litre engine coupled with a 48V electric system and is expected to arrive at the turn of the decade.

5.    Market arrival and India launch 

Following the official unveiling on 22 November, the new-gen Evoque will hit the streets only by mid-2019. Shortly after it goes on sale in the international markets, JLR India is expected to bring it to India which might happen around the end of next year. Upon its launch, the new Evoque will continue to rival again the likes of upcoming BMW X2 and Audi Q3, updated Mercedes-Benz GLA, and the Volvo XC40.