All-new Range Rover that ‘Evoques’ passion

By THEODORE OPARA
Yours sincerely would have been among the first few people to test-drive the all-new Range Rover Evoque in the United Kindgom two months ago but for  visa hitches.

I had applied for the UK Visa where the test drive was to hold more than three weeks to the trip, filing all necessary papers but was surprised that the visa couldn’t be issued as at the time of the scheduled trip.

New Range-Rover Evoque

My excitement to be among the very first set of people in the world to test- drive this much talked about Sports Utility Vehicle by Range Rover was dashed. I had told friends and colleagues about this test drive and was wondering how to present the story to my readers.

I was quite confident that I will secure the visa having not been denied visa before. But the visa came a day after the scheduled trip causing me a lifetime experience. Even till the last day, my optimism to make the trip remained high.

I had to visit the visa office almost thrice on the last day hoping that the visa would be sent to Lagos from Abuja on that day but that did not come to pass, only for me to receive a test massage the following Monday that the visa was ready. That was how I missed being part of the epoch making event.

But I have put that behind me. Making history or not , the new Range Rover Evoque has been introduced and it is living up to expectations, flying the Range Rover flag higher in the Compact Sports Utility Vehicle segment. Since its launch, the Evoque has won some notable awards to herald its arrival.

It is a typical Range Rover with premium features which the bigger Range Rover are known for. Maybe, the only thing you will miss is the intimidating size of the Range Rover Sports and HSE models.

It has amazing power, luxury, safety, and off-road and on-road capabilities like the bigger Range Rover with the advantage of fuel economy. For the young executives and the young at heart who have made it in life, the all-new Range Rover Evoque would fit into their garages like a fitted suite, especially with it radical design.

Available in different engine variants, the Evoque delivers top class performance that the Range Rover siblings are known for. The 2.0 litre 4 cylinder engine version of the Evoque develops 238 brake horse-power and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds and maximum speed of 135mph. There is also a 2.2 diesel powerplant and a turbo engine version that develops 240 brake horse- power.

The Evoque is equipped with either a six-speed automatic transmission or manual transmission with four wheel drive and both deliver well off-road and on-road.

Built to attract attention, the Evoque is available in five door and three door versions.

The Evoque powerful suspensions ensure smooth handling on every terrain. Where even the finest hot hatches would fear to take, the Evoque conquers.

It flows over the worst terrain. The optional magnetorheological damper fitted to the Evoque makes conquering of every terrain possible. Though essentially the same system used in the Ferrari 599 and Audi R8, the Evoque is the first car in the world to get the third generation ‘MagneRide’ system and the result is phenomenal.

Inside the all-new Evoque is a typical Range Rover with premium features. Leather seats, individual air conditioning system, DVD player, keyless entry, power windows, power morrior and  the latest technologies that are seen in today’s luxury cars.

Safety is at its highest level in the all new Evoque, as Range Rover has brought all the safety features in the bigger model and more into the all new Evoque.