Professionals in the field of automotive oddities may remember: there was ever a SUV convertible, by Nissan. The Japanese actually launched 2011 the Murano in an open variant on the US market, and discontinued 2015. Probably out of consideration for the good taste that a beauty was, the buzzing open-air Kraxler was far from it. Land Rover proves that it can also be done more elegantly: Starting with the 4. June stands that Range Rover Evoque Cabriolet for at least 51.200 euros at the dealer and should attract around 15 percent of customers in the future. Overall, Land Rover assumes that the convertible will increase sales by around 1.000 to at least 7.000 vehicles per year.
That should succeed - at least, if the Briton is open in the showroom: With a slightly rising shoulder line and a cheeky rear spoiler, the convertible looks as if an open SUV is the most natural thing in the world. If, on the other hand, the largest surface area on the market currently covers the seats, the Evoque loses a little of its luster; but somehow the passengers have to be protected from wind and weather. The cloth cap disappears up to 48 km / h within 18 seconds in the rear, which - open and closed - still provides space for 251 liters of luggage. Conversely, the four electric motors have a little more difficulty, unfolding takes three seconds longer. The price premium of around 3.000 Euro compared to the closed variants is not uncommon for a convertible, and low compared to the effort that the British had to operate in order to give the open SUV the highest possible torsional stiffness. The engineers reinforced the body at all corners and ends, which ultimately resulted in an extra 150 kilogram and almost two tons of unladen weight.
The effort has always paid off: the open Evoque glides elegantly over rails and Gullideckel, even on cobblestones does not start to shake and masters heavy terrain as bravura, as the rest of the family. Hardly a buyer will try, but if the Evoque no Land Rover, but just any SUV, he would not master the in-house hardcore test track at Eastnor Castle. With the TERRAIN-RESPONSE CONTROL, which adapts all systems to the respective subsoil, the Wade-Sensing system for water crossings and a crawler and downhill assistant, every driver at least gets the tools to leave the planned asphalt. That there is also the open Evoque only with four-wheel drive, goes without saying; to save fuel, the Range Rover only drives the front wheels under normal conditions.
The drive itself is taken over by the well-known engines, with three all-aluminum four-cylinders to choose from. Although convertible and diesel are still a rather unusual combination, Land Rover assumes that around 95 percent choose one of the two two-liter diesel engines. Basically, the smooth-running unit delivers 110 kW / 150 PS. The Stark version comes on 132 kW / 180 horsepower, but the good 3.000 Euro, which are due for the extra potency, you could certainly save yourself, after all, even the entry-level engine with 380 Newton meters sets in powerful. But almost all customers choose the more powerful engine; Money does not play the main role for the Land Rover clientele.
The customers would rather enjoy the 420 Newton meters of torque, which strike with a swing at 1.750 revolutions and give the SUV a noticeable kick in its chic rear. A slight faltering at lower tours conceals the ever-standard automatic nine-speed automatic, only when Rausbeschleunigen from the curve, the ZF transmission sometimes needs a little food for thought to keep the diesel in a mood - which provides in case of doubt, but the sport mode. For which of the two diesels one decides, on average, 5,7 liters of diesel are burned on 100 kilometers; On the winding mountain routes around the French ski eldorado Courchevel, however, a double-digit value quickly appears on the on-board computer. If you want to partout an Otto under the hood, you have to calculate a standard consumption of 8,6 liters, available is also the two-liter 177 kW / 240-PS petrol engine from 55.100 Euro.
Those who do not take passengers on the already narrow back seat can install a wind deflector that significantly reduces the train around their ears; with the windows closed, you can easily drive open at temperatures around freezing; Seat and steering wheel heating contribute to your well-being. The other options are similar to those of the closed brothers, from the head-up display on Abstandstempomat and lane departure warning to the massage seats and a removable trailer hitch (1,5 tons allowed on the hook) is something on offer. There is even a new infotainment system with an 10,2 inch touchscreen as standard, which can be operated easily in the tried and tested tablet manner. The only drawback: If the sun shines on it, the screen can hardly be read anymore - and unfortunately this happens frequently in an open car.