Range Rover Evoque Convertible Test Drive Review – One Of A Kind

Driving Dynamics – The Range Rover Evoque Convertible has been stiffened up with a more rigid chassis and increased rigidity of the doors to tackle the loss of the roof. It isn’t a car which is dynamically poised because there is a lot of body roll, more so with the roof down. Further, the soft top roof means there is always a lot of wind noise in the cabin (with the roof up) and rearward visibility through the inside rearview mirror is poor.

The steering does weigh up well but feels slightly artificial

Ride quality isn’t very good at low speeds and big bumps do catch out the Evoque. However, the car does feel more composed as you up the pace and the brakes offer strong stopping power. Equipped with 4-wheel drive, the Evoque Convertible is very capable off-road, as expected from any car which has the Land Rover logo on its hood.

Safety & After Sales Service – The Range Rover Evoque Convertible comes with the regular array of safety systems like ABS with EBD and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). There’s also the company’s world-renowned 4-wheel drive and All-Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) that helps car maintain a steady speed between 1.8-30 km/hr. Other safety systems include a Hill Descent Control and Gradient Release Control, both of which help you concentrate on your driving while going on slopes. Range Rover’s after sales service is not the best in the business but has become better over the past few years. The company is working to make it better as India is an important market.

Verdict – The Range Rover Evoque is nearing its lifecycle and the next generation model is around the corner. The Convertible does up the desirability quotient of the Evoque by several notches but don’t mistake it to be a fun car to drive, it feels better when you dial down the pace, soak in the wind in your hair experience and enjoy the crazy attention. It’s the costliest variant of the Evoque, the least efficient too and the least practical too but it simply pulls at your heartstrings.

What’s Cool

* Convertible nature
* Composed at high speeds
* Brakes offer good stopping power
* All-terrain ability

What’s Not So Cool

* Not the most fun-to-drive car
* Gearbox is a little slow to respond
* Quite pricey

Alternatives: Actually none

Range Rover Evoque Convertible Specifications

* Engine: 1998cc, 4-cyl, Turbo-petrol
* Power: 140 HP @ 4000 RPM
* Torque: 340 Nm @ 1750-2750 RPM
* Transmission: 9-speed automatic transmission
* 0-100 km/hr: 8.1 seconds (claimed)
* Top Speed: 217 km/hr
* Suspension: Integral mulit-link, fully independent suspension with coil spring struts (Front and Rear)
* Tyre Size: 45.72 cm, 5-split spoke(Front & Rear)
* Brakes: Discs (Front), Discs (Rear), ABS
* Safety: Multiple Airbags, ABS, ISOFIX child seat mounts, 24×7 road side assistance

Range Rover Evoque Convertible Dimensions

* Overall length x width x height: 4370 mm X 1900 mm X 1609 mm
* Boot Space: 251-litres
* Ground clearance: 211 mm
* Wheelbase: 2660 mm
* Kerb weight: 2013 kgs

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