Saw my first Range Rover Evoque last night in Paris

[Ray Hyland]

I have a 200 tdi 110 which I like a lot.

But that said, I have owned a TD5 110 and drove it across Borneo and parts of South East Asia, it was awesome in the bush. I drove an LR4 through the rocks of Sedona this spring, it was awesome. And I just drove a new Range Rover through the deserts and hills around Vegas last month, guess what, it was awesome too.

Those of you who know my truck will appreciate that is where my heart is. An old flat-black 110 with a simple diesel motor, a roll-cage, 35's, lots of articulation, and ARB lockers front and back. Hot, noisy, and slow, but good off the road.

But I gotta say it, the new Rovers are pretty smokin when you actually take them off-road. Yes, they are a lot more complex, and I would never be able to fix one probably if it broke in the bush. But I have been very impressed by their abilities.

I haven't driven the Evoque so I can't comment on it, but the others rock.

Ray

 

[nwoods]

Ray, it's not the ability people are criticizing, its the durability factor that draws such ire. As a fairly experienced former owner of a very well tested LR3, I think things are somewhere in the middle of the two extremes. I think the actual reliability is much better than older Rovers, but the repairablity is reduced. You need to add a Faultmate computer to your toolbag, as well as a good diagnostic multimeter, and a full set of air fittings

However, Durablity is still considerably reduced though compared to the older Rovers. The ability to take 100,000 miles of washboard just isn't there anymore. Yes, you will be infinitely more comfortable until it falls apart, but it is only a matter of time before it does. It has not yet been proven about how easy it will be to extend the life of the LR3/LR4/RRS platform. When more aftermarket bushings, a-arms, shocks, sensors, and harness connectors become available, we'll see how well proven the platform will be. But for now, I can state quite accurately that the newer rovers are much softer all around than the previous machines. Capable yes, reliable yes, durable, no.

Sorta like the new G-Class? http://theland.farmonline.com.au/ne...-toughest-offroaders/2249727.aspx?storypage=0

 

[RBA]

http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/state/machinery-and-equipment/general/outback-cripples-mercedesbenzs-toughest-offroaders/2249727.aspx?storypage=0[/url]

With respect, I'm not sure if a busted shock absorber counts. Idiots who overload trucks and drive too fast for the terrain should carry spare shocks.

 

[Navman]

I just got an invite this morning from Land Rover USA to test dive one at Pebble Beach next week. I may be diving in Monterrey next weekend so I may sign up.

 

[overlander]

Are they sending that out to all registered owners or do you meet their VIP listing? If so, how did you get on that?

 

[Christian P.]

Quick math lesson:

What's the percentage of people living in urban area these days? like close 80% in USA perhaps?

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/peo_per_liv_in_urb_are-people-percentage-living-urban-areas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_area
About 79 percent of the population of the United States lives within the boundaries of urbanized area as of April, 2000

For all the naysayer - you think a car company could stay in business if they were ignoring these buyers and selling only to the remaining 10% of farmers?

Be realistic.

 

[sydneyman]

while i agree with you, and am thankful for it as the mass production of these vehicles makes them cheaper for me, i think we all feel like a little is lost as we move from the niche market to the upmarket... nothing new though, its been happening for a while... the Porsche world is bemoaning the same issue... LR makes this "car" and Porsche makes the Cayenne... its the world we live in...

 

[Oilworker]

Well, comparing these two and having had the chance to drive both, the Cayenne Transsyberia and the new Range Rover Evoque I would immediatly take the Evoque.

More room and better handling offroad!

Just wait and see....or experience whenever you get the chance!

 

[Scott Brady]

The Evoque is intended to play with the Porche Cayenne, BMW X5, GLK, etc.

Rover is not claiming it is an overland vehicle. No one gets upset when Toyota launches a RAV4 or Nissan a Marano. It is just another vehicle in the Rover line-up- no big thang

 

[Scott Brady]

A fun review

 

[overlander]

Regardless of what everyone thinks about the right of this vehicle to be in the Rover lineup, I think this Evoque is going to cell like hotcakes over here in the states. Rover still has a lot of market appeal, and this is a good introduction platform like the LR2 for introducing their hybrid powertrain technology when they are ready for it. Any SUV manufacturer that is not introducing smaller SUV's as part of the product range won't survive in my opinion.

 

[Navman]

Are they sending that out to all registered owners or do you meet their VIP listing? If so, how did you get on that?

I really don't know. I'm guessing because the local dealer has my email from our LR3 purchase a couple of years ago and I got invited because I'm local.

 

[Navman]

Regardless of what everyone thinks about the right of this vehicle to be in the Rover lineup, I think this Evoque is going to cell like hotcakes over here in the states. Rover still has a lot of market appeal, and this is a good introduction platform like the LR2 for introducing their hybrid powertrain technology when they are ready for it. Any SUV manufacturer that is not introducing smaller SUV's as part of the product range won't survive in my opinion.

Agreed. Hopefully they sell so many that they have the extra cash and market status to gamble on bringing the 2013 Defender over here. :sombrero:

I wonder how much the Evoque will canibalize the RR sales.

 

[haven]

The Evoque is an all weather personal transport for urban dwellers. The Evoque is much smaller than the Range Rover, with two doors and a small back seat, and has much lower towing capacity. The Evoque is also half the price of the Range Rover. So I don't expect too many people to cross-shop the Evoque and Range Rover.

The next generation Range Rover is expected to borrow styling cues from the Evoque, leaving the Land Rover LR4 and Defender to continue with the simple boxy utilitarian look.

 

[Navman]

I dunno. I see new RRs on the road every day around here and never seen one towing anything. The RR around here is an all weather personal transport for urban dwellers too. Most are younger hipsters with a lot of money. Since big SUVs are no longer trendy a lot of these people are moving smaller crossover types.

Either way, I do expect them to be a big seller in the SF Bay Area.