The Range Rover Evoque is perhaps one of Land Rover’s most popular models in recent years, especially after having sold over 600,000 units of the dashing SUV in the span of six years (as of May 2017). Now, word is the second-generation model might make its debut sometime next year, and here we have a fresh set of photos of its never-before-seen interior.
While we roughly know that the next Evoque will be similarly styled as its bigger sibling, the Velar, pictures of its cabin have been elusive, until now. The view, while partially obstructed by a helpless staff, reveals an even more clutter-free design approach and looks considerably neater than the model it replaces.
Let’s start with the obvious – the centre dash. Fitted just under the horizontal air-con vents is a brand new touchscreen infotainment display that’s unsurprisingly similar to the one seen in the Velar (the Velar gets dual 10-inch touchscreen panels), except the unit here sits recessed within a composite binnacle. The screen should give access to a wide range of multimedia features, as well as GPS navigation.
Below that is another touch-sensitive panel (going by the amount of fingerprints we see) with two rotary dials for making climate control adjustments. In the Velar, the dials also function as a selector wheel to navigate through the brand’s famous Terrain Response system. However, the gloss black panel in question appears not be a secondary touchscreen unit like the Velar, so we’ll have to wait it out for the time being.
Land Rover seems to have ditched the classic rotary transmission controller (which rises up from the console on start-up) in favour of an electronic rocker unit, but seeing as it’s still in the testing phase, this could be reversed closer to production. Also, the area surrounding the shifter is covered in black plastics, so there’s no way of knowing what’s underneath.
Over to the steering wheel, the test mule is fitted with the latest unit complete with dual control pods – the left side grants access to hands-free and volume functions, while the right features controls for the adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist.
That’s exactly like the Velar, then, except the instrument cluster appears to be carried over. Again, this should change further down the line, possibly featuring a fully digital item.
Meanwhile, the new Evoque, codenamed L551, is rumoured to ride on an extensively overhauled version of the D8 architecture, which forms the basis of Jaguar Land Rover’s transverse-engined models such as the Discovery Sport and the Jaguar E-Pace. If that were to happen, expect the Evoque’s footprint to be larger than the current L538 Evoque.
Entry-level models could be front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available in higher-specification variants. A range of 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines should be deployed, each mated to a ZF nine-speed automatic gearbox. However, the D8 architecture is not capable of accommodating an all-electric build, but a 1.5 litre plug-in hybrid variant is reportedly in the works. Apparently, it may feature a lithium-ion battery pack plus a 48 V electrical system.
According to Autocar, the L551 Evoque could be limited to a sole, five-door bodystyle due to its vast popularity compared to the three-door and convertible versions.
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I like British cars. They have very soft leather
Actually Land Rover and Jaguar already owned by TATA now ( Indian ownership) so this Indian car should in our showrooms soon.
Still worried and skeptical over reliability and quality issues of LR.
What happened to the current gen Evoque..? I don’t recall seeing them on the road for months.
Do u also recall when is the last time u hv an eyesight check?
Sorry the display is so small, even my cellphone is bigger
Any news on the Defender replacement?
This brand cannot sell in Malaysia .
So low sales every year and losing monies
Soon becoming IRRELEVANT and furthermore having BAD/NO RV too.