Colorado David
Explorer
Too bad the photographer didn't ask her to stand up straight. She looks like a candidate for the orthopedic surgeon in that shot.
LRX emerges as Range Rover Evoque
- Thread starter haven
- Start date
lwg
Member
If I recall correctly this was originally designed to be a Hybrid with really good mileage for a Landy, can't remember exactly. Rumor has it that it will in fact eventually be rolled out as a Hybrid at some point in the future. While it probably won't offer the off-rad prowess of many a Land Rover it'll likely still be distinctly british and very refined. I still like it, may not buy one personally but I still like it.
UnfrozenCaveman
Explorer
"what were they thinking?!?!?"
Well, in the press release, Land Rover uses words like "cosmopolitan,"
"car like," and "urban elegance" to describe the Evoque. There is no
pretense about bounding across the veldt. Instead, the focus is on
smaller size, lighter weight, fuel efficiency, and high technology.
The vehicle is referred to as a cross-coupe as often as it's described
as an SUV.
It looks to me like they're hoping to expand the customer base for
Range Rover to include folks who don't pull horse trailers.
Despite the snarky comments above about Victoria Beckham's
appearance, her participation in the Evoque introduction brought
press coverage from lots of mainstream magazines and news outlets
that otherwise would not consider running a story about a car
introduction.
To those who have negative reactions to the Evoque: Don't worry,
Land Rover still makes the Defender.
Well, in the press release, Land Rover uses words like "cosmopolitan,"
"car like," and "urban elegance" to describe the Evoque. There is no
pretense about bounding across the veldt. Instead, the focus is on
smaller size, lighter weight, fuel efficiency, and high technology.
The vehicle is referred to as a cross-coupe as often as it's described
as an SUV.
It looks to me like they're hoping to expand the customer base for
Range Rover to include folks who don't pull horse trailers.
Despite the snarky comments above about Victoria Beckham's
appearance, her participation in the Evoque introduction brought
press coverage from lots of mainstream magazines and news outlets
that otherwise would not consider running a story about a car
introduction.
To those who have negative reactions to the Evoque: Don't worry,
Land Rover still makes the Defender.
Antichrist
Expedition Leader
I had to google Victoria Beckham to see who she is. Obviously I'm not Land Rover's target audience for this car. LOL
The shoes on both models make me gag...neither is suitable for any Land Rover I'd ever be interested in.
Maybe since this is being introduced on the 40th anniversary of the introduction of the Range Rover, they'll recreate the Trans-American Expedition to introduce it like they did with the Range Rover. I'd love to two of them crossing the Darien Gap.
Even though it's not anything I'd ever be the least bit interested in, neither is the LR3, any Ranger Rovers since the RRC, Freelander or LR4, I don't really get too upset about it. When they bastardize the Defender, then maybe I will.
The shoes on both models make me gag...neither is suitable for any Land Rover I'd ever be interested in.
Maybe since this is being introduced on the 40th anniversary of the introduction of the Range Rover, they'll recreate the Trans-American Expedition to introduce it like they did with the Range Rover. I'd love to two of them crossing the Darien Gap.
Even though it's not anything I'd ever be the least bit interested in, neither is the LR3, any Ranger Rovers since the RRC, Freelander or LR4, I don't really get too upset about it. When they bastardize the Defender, then maybe I will.
The four door version of the Evoque will be presented at the Los Angeles Auto show, which starts next week.
The 4 door will be available with front or all wheel drive. Some sort of hybrid powertrain will be offered some time in the future.
The four door looks like great competition for other expensive compact SUVs like the Mini Crossman and Countryman, the Mercedes GLK, VW Tiguan, and BMW X1 and X3. These days, even a Subaru Outback can cost $35,000. Prices have not been announced, but I expect the Evoque AWD four door to start below $40K.
The 4 door will be available with front or all wheel drive. Some sort of hybrid powertrain will be offered some time in the future.
The four door looks like great competition for other expensive compact SUVs like the Mini Crossman and Countryman, the Mercedes GLK, VW Tiguan, and BMW X1 and X3. These days, even a Subaru Outback can cost $35,000. Prices have not been announced, but I expect the Evoque AWD four door to start below $40K.
roverrocks
Expedition Leader
I like the the lower body color but I don't like the vehicle one little bit. I'd much rather have a Subaru Outback but I don't want a Subaru either. I'll drive my 97 Disco until it dies and then if I ever do buy a new or near new off road truck it will be a Wrangler. It still has it's 60 year old genetic roots. LR's genes have died and gone to Urban hell. How very sad.
tdesanto
Expedition Leader
Looks like they just want to compete in the BMW X5/ Porsche Cayenne market. If that helps them earn money to continue to make discoveries and defenders, then why not. If this is the direction they're taking all of their products, then I could see why people would disagree with the decision.
roverrocks
Expedition Leader
The last true Discovery made was in 2004. I don't consider the LR3 and LR4 to be Discoveries no matter what they call them overseas. They are simply overly expensive and overly electroniced Urban Hell vehicles that have pretty good off roading abilities but aren't going to stand up to years of off road abuse not to mention they are far, far beyond the the average Joe. As the Defender hasn't been sold in the US since 97 and never will be unless the NAME is put on another Urban Hell vehicle bastardized for the Telluride/Aspen/Hollywood rich I don't consider that Discoveries/Defenders are still going to made if LR makes a profit. I hope LR makes a profit and stays in business but their genetic roots are way beyond gone. One can still buy a simple fairly inexpensive utilitarian Wrangler but not a simple fairly inexpensive utilitarian LR. Land Rover should change it's name to "Gone with the Wind Motor Company" for us simple average Joes that had to struggle to buy even a fairly cheap older solid axled off roader that we had dreamed about for years. I hope LR makes big profits and stays in business forever but it's vehicles are no longer dream trucks for me.
Dave Legacy
Adventurer
Will it really be available in FWD?!
TeriAnn
Explorer
I disagree. Their genetic roots are still alive and probably will remain so for another 2 years.
Land Rovers are in a commensal relationship with a limited subset of humans. Over time their native environment has been shrinking and the Rover gene pool has been mutating to try and find a better commensal match with more humans.
In North America, the regulatory aspect of the Land Rover's environment has changed to the point where the genetic rootstock Land Rovers can no longer reproduce. Only the genetically mutated Rovers who have adapted to fit new niches have been able to continue breeding. The newer mutations can no longer successfully form a commensal relationship with the subset of humans that the genetic rootstock Land Rovers do. That subset of humans in North America who are not bonded to Land Rovers have largely formed pair bonds with Land Cruisers or jeeps since root stock Land Rovers have become increasingly rare and less well remembered.
Unfortunately the economic element and other factors that control the reproduction of Rovers is rapidly changing to the point where the original Land Rover gene stock will be unable to reproduce anywhere in the world.
In order to compete in the ever changing environment, the Rover gene pool is evolving far enough from its original genetic stock as to be virtually unrecognizable by the subset of humans the original Land Rovers interacted with. Which means that the new Rovers can not form commensal bonds with Land Rover's original market base.
As I see it, the specialized subset of humans that bonded with the Land Rover root stock have 3 main options:
1. Adapt to the modified Rover gene stock. This basically means driving mostly on paved and maintained dirt roads to extend the new Rover's life span and be prepared to deal with a Rover that has an expected lifespan of only 10 or so years.
2. Adapt to form a commensal relationship with one of the other marques that have out competed Land Rover in the North American environment
3. Find or import a genetic rootstock Land Rover and maintain it so that it keeps on going and fulfilling its part of the commensal relationship. Though genetic rootstock Land Rovers require a lot of maintenance they are simple enough to be maintained indefinitely.
On the other hand, the genetic side branches of Rover, such as the Range Rover classic and the Discovery have evolved to be too complicated to survive longer than 15 to 20 years and will likely be gone from the wild in a few more years. While the Discovery and Range Rover enthusiast will mostly keep them until they die then move on, the Series and Defender enthusiast will likely just keep on replacing parts as they wear out and stay out in the wilds.
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roverrocks
Expedition Leader
Terrific Anthropological answer!!! But a sad and true answer. Life continues to adapt and old ways left behind. Good luck to LR as it adapts to survive.
Porsche received the same sort of criticism when the company introduced the Cayenne in 2003. "An SUV can't be a true Porsche!"
While a few people still think Porsche should not make an SUV, the Cayenne is Porsche's top selling model. The Cayenne is credited with saving the company during the global financial crisis, when sales of expensive sports cars faltered.
My guess is that if you want Land Rover to stay in business, you'll have to accept that the company needs to broaden its appeal.
While a few people still think Porsche should not make an SUV, the Cayenne is Porsche's top selling model. The Cayenne is credited with saving the company during the global financial crisis, when sales of expensive sports cars faltered.
My guess is that if you want Land Rover to stay in business, you'll have to accept that the company needs to broaden its appeal.