Paris Preshow: Range Rover Evoque Revealed in Detail, gets Four-Cylinder Turbo Engines

We've finally got some more artsy pics of the new Range Rover Evoque, which is set to be in a lot of peoples' driveways come next summer. Oh, hey, there are specs, too. Just to get the pricing issue out of the way, Rover says it'll start at £30,000 when it arrives in the UK next summer (foreign pricing to come at a later date).

The "low carbon" front-wheel drive (or optional full-time four-wheel drive) Evoque is called a "cross-coupé", and is kind of like the new-urban spiritual successor to the old 3-door Range Rover. A four-door model is also on the way (see the spy shots here), but I'll stay with the shooting brake of SUVs, thank you very much.

From the pics, you can see the divine interior - in this case coated in leather with "twin needle" stitching - houses the expected Terrain Response system, a Jag-inspired transmission knob, and all the cell/MP3 connectivity you'll ever need.

The dash also gets an optional dual-view 8-inch screen (the kind where driver and passenger have the ability to see different projections on the monitor).

Audio from your iPod will be routed through a 17-speaker Meridian system and backed by 825 watts, while above the seating area is your gateway to the stars (or a glass panoramic roof, if you're not feeling as inspired as I am right now).

Power for the most elite of cute-utes comes from a series of gasoline and diesel turbo engines that incorporate start/stop tech, while the Evoque also stays a little greener thanks to electronic power-assisted steering (which is considered a low-CO2 system).

The four-cylinder turbodiesels are based on a 2.2-liter unit and provide either 150 or 190 horsepower.

Opting for the FWD 150-horse diesel earns you the most green points with an estimated fuel economy of 58 mpg Imperial (48.3mpg US or 4.9lt/100km) and under 130 grams of CO2 per kilometer of emissions (the 4X4 low-output diesel comes in at a still impressive 50 mpg (41.6mpg US or 5.6lt/100km) and under 145 g CO2 / km).

On the other hand, if you're looking to burn gasoline and have a closer power-to-torque ratio, go with the 2.0-liter Si4 engine. Using direct injection, turbocharging, and variable valve timing, the car puts down...well, Rover didn't say, but the 0-60mph (96km/h) claim is 7.1 seconds.

Suspension duties are handled by a MagneRide setup in order to make handling sporty yet comfortable (though that claim will only be proven once it's been tested). Land Rover program director Murray Dietsch says that they've "tuned the Range Rover Evoque's chassis and Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) to deliver precise and responsive steering at lower speeds, making the car nimble and fun to drive."

To keep things relatively simple, the Evoque will come in three flavors from the get-go: 1) "Pure" (aka Base), which provides the car, soft-touch materials, and aluminum trim; 2) "Prestige" (aka Luxury), which adds 19-inch wheels and a lot of leather; and 3) "Dynamic" (aka Sport-Lux), which adds 20-inch wheels, unique exterior styling (bumpers, grille, spoilers with contrasting colors, etc.) and sports seats. There will also be a hybrid in the future, so expect this little guy to get even greener.

Of adding a smaller Range to Rover's lineup, CEO Dr. Ralf Speth says, "These are exciting times for our business. Not only will the Range Rover Evoque increase our worldwide market share, it helps to define a new segment for premium compact SUVs that are more sporting and stylish."

We'll have more on Land Rover's promising Evoque from the Paris Show floor on September 30.

By Phil Alex

Range Rover With Land Rover Accessories?

The weather in the United Kingdom just lately has been absolutely horrendous with temperatures dropping as low as minus twenty in certain areas. Because of this there has actually been a need for 4x4 vehicles like the Land Rover Range Rover.

People who own these large lumbering 4x4 vehicles have long been accused by environmentalist that there is little to no need for these excessively big automobiles. But try explaining that to the people who got stuck on the M62 at the beginning of January. The Range Rover has been the king of the off road vehicles for a long time and with good reason. The car has everything that you would need to survive in difficult and trying conditions and the new version for 2010 has a host of Land Rover accessories to make owning one even more appealing.

One of the key Land Rover accessories that you can buy for your new vehicle in 2010 is the side steps, yes that's right it doesn't come as standard. If you want to have a little step that you can step up on to it will cost you extra. Likewise if you want to update the standard wheels on your Range Rover then you will have to splash out some more cash on one of the many Land Rover accessories.

If you want to use the car for something practical like towing or carrying then you will need to get the extra Range Rover carry package install on your vehicle available through the Land Rover accessories available for 2010. This is often the part of purchasing a new car that frustrates and angers most clients. It is almost like your car is a Ryanair ticket. You start out with a set price and then slowly but surely increase the budget with each of the Land Rover accessories that you add on to your prized possession.

One more thing you might want to purchase out of the Land Rover accessories package is the Lamp guards, it should help to keep some of the smaller stones away from chipping the lights. However, when you have added all those accessories onto your vehicle you are looking at a sizeable investment. Then Gordon Brown will come along and charge you an extortionate amount of money for car tax and you might be starting to look at reasons to justify why you need this monster of a vehicle. Well if that thought does pop into your head, consider what type of driving you do and make an educated decision, but if you end up buying a Citroen Saxo and get stuck on a Motorway in the next snow shower, don't blame me.

First Official Photo of New Range Rover Evoque 5-Door

At the world premiere of the new Range Rover Evoque 3d (see here) at the Paris Motor Show today, Land Rover re-confirmed it will be producing a more practical, five-door version of its new compact SUV model and released the first official photo of the vehicle before its official reveal later this year.

The British automaker did not release any other details on the SUV but it is safe to assume that the 5-door variant will be offered with the same four-cylinder engines announced for the 3-door model, including a 2.2-liter turbo diesel with 150HP and 190HP derivatives, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline producing 240HP.

Both diesel and petrol engines are offered with an updated six-speed auto transmission, while the Evoque will be the first Range Rover model to be available in both four-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive versions.

Sales of both the three- and five-door versions of the Evoque are expected to start next summer.

Super-Lux Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition heads to Geneva Motor Show

At next month's Geneva Salon, Land Rover will display the new Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition, which is claimed be the firm’s most luxurious model ever.

The highlight of the limited edition model are the two stand-alone rear seats, which are clad in specially selected natural leather and separated by an additional console incorporating an aluminum laptop table and refrigerator. Two Apple iPads, strapped to the front seat headrests, provide the high-tech touch.

The opulence continues in the boot where designers used a teak floor with metal and leather accents. The rest of the interior is dressed in different, but equally exquisite materials, such as the Oxford leather found on the door panels, dashboard and steering wheel, complemented by Kalahari wood veneers.

Available in two unique colors, Roussillon Red and Otago Stone, the Autobiography Ultimate Edition model comes with body-colored door handles, dark atlas radiator grille and side vents. Optional side steps and 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels round up the exterior appointments. Clients from selected markets will be able to specify their cars with the classic Santorini Black paintjob as well.

Power comes from either a 4.4-liter LR-TDV8 diesel or a 5.0-liter LR-V8 supercharged gasoline engine. The oil-burner churns out 313HP and an asphalt-shredding 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. It can propel the heavyweight SUV from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.5 seconds while consuming 9.39 lt/100 km (25.1 US mph) on the combined cycle.

The gasoline engine is capable of 510HP and 625 Nm (461 lb-ft), allowing the Range Rover to complete the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in just 5.9 seconds.

Both engines are coupled to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels via Range Rover’s sophisticated Terrain Response system, complete with Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control.

A total of 500 Ultimate Edition models will be built, with prices to be announced individually for the 20+ markets that will receive the exclusive Range Rover later this year.

Range Rover Sport Trio from Project Kahn

British tuning firm Project Kahn has presented its 2011 lineup of modified Range Rover Sport models, which comprise three variants featuring select exterior and interior appointments, plus some performance upgrades.

The diesel-powered Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 RSE Signature Edition is the entry-level model of the range, and it comes with a comprehensive exterior styling package that includes new bumpers, a roof spoiler, twin mesh front grille and side vents, complemented by 22-inch Kahn RSL alloys. Inside, the Signature Edition gets front headrests clad in twin mesh, Kahn gauges and clock, inserts with Swarovski diamonds, stainless steel sill plates and a leather key ring.

The finishing touch is a Project Kahn Acoustic Supersound four-pipe exhaust system, said to emit a “unique deep rumble sound”.

Next up is the more aggressive Range Rover Sport RSE300 Cosworth, which, besides being fitted with the Signature Edition bodykit, also features a so-called painted floating roof, LED daytime running lights, a boot spoiler and 22-inch RS Matte Pearl Grey wheels. According to the tuning firm, a Cosworth engine conversion is responsible for a noticeable power increase.

The RS600 is the range-topping model and it features a 6-piece bodykit, integrated LED lights and custom wheels. The interior is covered in high-quality perforated and quilted leather, complemented by contrasting stitching applied to the steering wheel and gear shifter. Other appointments include the blue Kahn gauges and clock, plus a leather key ring.

Land Rover Releases UK Pricing for 2010 Range Rover Sport and Discovery 4

The revised 2010 Range Rover Sport and 2010 Discovery 4 will go on sale in the UK from the beginning of September priced from £44,895 and £31,995 respectively. The entry-level version of the Range Rover Sport is moved by a 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel while the base Discovery 4 by a 2.-7-liter V6 turbo diesel. Both models features new engines, subtle cosmetic enhancements on the outside and redesigned interiors. Hit the jump for the detailed price list.

Land Rover Releases 'Built Tough' S1 Mobile Phone

For those Land Rover owners that actually make use of their vehicle's off road capabilities (or for the ones that want to show off that they do), the British marque has teamed up with Sonim Technologies, to launch the Land Rover-badged S1 cell phone. According to automaker, the S1 is the world's first IP-67 rated GSM mobile phone which from what we learned, is a standard indicating that the phone has been tested and found to be totally resistant to dust, as well as dirt, shocks and drops.

Featuring a rather simple design, the S1 is said to be completely waterproof to a depth of one meter (3.3 feet) for up to 30 minutes and resistant to pressure of up to 400 kgs. Durability aside, the S1 comes equipped with a 2Mega-Pixel waterproof camera with built-in flash, , torch light, built-in GPS system, FM radio, 2GB memory slot, J2ME Java for mobile, WAP browsing through its in-built Opera Mini WAP browser and Bluetooth.

"Like our vehicles this phone is extremely capable and will work in the toughest of environments," said Lindsay Weaver, Land Rover global licensing manager. "Designed to meet the needs and demands of the outdoor adventurer the phone has an IP-67 rating, which is a first for a commercially available GSM handset, and is operational in temperatures ranging from -20 to 55 degrees Celsius and backed by an unconditional three-year guarantee."

The Land Rover S1 by Sonim will be available for UK buyers from Go Mobile stores with pricing set at £299.99 or at today's exchange rates, $490 US or €355.

Land Rover S1 Specification

• Fully submersible to a depth of one metre
  
• Survives being dropped onto hard surfaces from up to two metres
  
• Extra-Loud speakers for use in extremely noisy environments
  
• Extra-long battery life with over 1500 hours of standby time and 18 hours of talk time
  
• Durable keyboard mechanics and extra-wide buttons for ease of use
  
• Keypad buttons tested to over 500,000 pushes
  
• Completely dust and micro-particle resistant – IP-67 Rated
  
• Resistant to road shocks and vibrations to over 2000 random vibrations in the 500Hz range
  
• Operational under temperatures from -20° to 55° C
  
• Resistant to extreme pressure up to 400kg
  
• Resistant to punctures at 75kg/cm2 of pressure.
  
• Three year unconditional guarantee

Who Let the Dogs Out? NEC's Range Rover Convertible

We've seen many topless conversions that leave much to be desired in terms of styling, but this creation may very well take one of the top spots in our list. The awkward looking (with the roof up or down) Range Rover Convertible was built by Newport Convertible Engineering (NEC) of Placentia, California. The folks over at NEC retained the Range Rover's door frames while they also added a central roll bar. To solve the problem with the rear hatch, NEC engineered a unique split tailgate. More photos after the jump.

Photos: NEC