Is this the ultimate 4X4?

Everyone is familiar with the Range Rover brand and the status it holds but in recent years Land Rover have had to fight hard to keep the Range Rover as leader of the pack, particularly as rivals such as BMW, with their all new X5 and Mercedes try and muscle in on their territory. It is now 41 years since the launch of the very first Range Rover back in 1970, yet there have only been four new variations of the model since then, a testimony if one were needed that their design and engineering can truly withstand the test of time. Now however Range Rover have departed somewhat from their conservative do not change too much approach with an all new radical looking vehicle called the Evoque. First seen as a concept car a few years ago, reaction was so good to the concept they decided to build it. Unlike many manufacturers Range Rover did not dilute the concept car design but instead stayed true to the original idea. So what is the Evoque? Well it is of course a Range Rover, it is available in four-door or three-door body styles and will uniquely for a Land Rover product be available with two-wheel drive and of course four-wheel drive. At launch only four-wheel drive is available. Engines for Ireland are diesel with two power outputs either a four-cylinder 2.2 litre 150 bhp diesel TD4 or a 190 bhp 2.2 litre 4 cylinder SD4, with auto or manual gearboxes. There are three trim levels, Pure, Dynamic and Prestige. The new Evoque sits well below the Range Rover in price terms and is unashamedly designed as a much a fashion statement as it is an off-roader. First impressions Absolutely stunning. This is the best looking SUV in the world and that is that! This car is still very much a Range Rover and borrows from its stablemate in the overall style department so you will recognise it as a Range Rover, but a very different looking one at that. It really looks fantastic. Few test cars I have driven have turned so many heads. So it scores ten out of ten for style and design. Behind the wheel The cabin is just superb! It is beautifully finished in the highest quality leathers. Standard equipment is very comprehensive across the three specification levels. There is simply too much to list here across the three trim levels but both from a safety and luxury point of view the new Evoque lacks for nothing. The 4x4 models of course benefit from the traditional Land Rover off road goodies such as Hill Descent Control, Roll Stability Control, permanent four wheel drive and of course that true and legendary Range Rover off road ability. The driving position is great giving a commanding view of the road ahead and the fit and finish is simply beyond reproach. Every detail in the design and layout of the cabin seems to have been particularly well thought-out. It looks fabulous, feels top quality and cossets driver and passengers in an inviting luxury environment in which to travel. Performance The version I am testing this week is powered by the 190 bhp SD4 diesel mated to a smooth six-speed manual gearbox. The combination works well. Overall performance proves very good and equally impressive is the level of refinement offered by this 2.2 litre turbo diesel. Performance is good with 0 to 100km/h reached in around ten seconds, more importantly mid range torque is excellent providing great power just when you need it for safe overtaking. Over some 700km it proved frugal too burning an average 7.8 litre per 100km. C02 emissions are equally impressive at just 149g/km. Road behaviour Performance and road behaviour are the two key areas that the Evoque needed to excel in, and it really does! After all we know Range Rover are masters off-road, but ironically the Evoque will be a car purchased more for its looks and flexibility than for its pure off-road ability. After all the two wheel drive versions will cater directly to that audience.In the 4x4 version on test traction is great thanks to the highly sophisticated electronics governing the 4 wheel drive and refinement is high with wind road and engine noise all very well suppressed. Accommodation is good, it is a full 5 seater with a decent sized load area which can be accessed via the large rear tailgate. Verdict In a word excellent! It is also a deserving winner of the Continental Irish Luxury Car Of The Year Award as adjudicated by myself and my colleagues in the Irish Motoring Writers Association,. I absolutely love the shape, the styling is breathtaking, yet the new Evoque is so much more than just a great looking car. It rides and handles very well, proves practical and is very well equipped. There is nothing not to like. Prices for the new Range Rover four-wheel drive version Evoque start at €42,540 for the 150 bhp Pure version.