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Range Rover Evoque D180 2021.

Range Rover Evoque of the first generation in 2011 looked at least shocking, but maybe that’s why it gained market success.

The model of the second generation does not seem to have changed in any way compared to its predecessor — at first glance.

Today, CarsWeek and I are looking at what updates the «second» Evoque is hiding from the eyes under the glamorous body.

Exterior

In appearance, the new «Ewok» at the same time resembles the model of the first generation, and is somewhat similar to the larger Velar.

It is cut, as they say, according to the same patterns: a recognizable silhouette and proportions, a low body with a glass line narrowed to the stern, embossed fenders, narrow optics.

The linings have disappeared from the wheel arches, but retractable door handles have appeared — like on the Velar.

And, it seems, everything — not counting the new wheels. Taken together, this whole set of changes in the exterior pulls, of course, rather for restyling.

If you arm yourself with numbers, it turns out that even the overall length has grown by only a millimeter (4371 millimeters), width — by four (1904 millimeters), but the height of the Evoque has grown by 14 (1649 millimeters) at once.

The wheelbase has increased by a couple of centimeters. The ground clearance, however, has not changed at all — 212 millimeters.

The angle of entry remained the same — 25 degrees, the exit angle — decreased from 33 to 30.6 degrees, but the depth of the ford increased — from 500 to 600 millimeters. But the three-door «Ewok» does not exist anymore.

Interior

Changes inside are expected: Velar once clearly defined the vector of further development of the brand’s interiors.

Here, too, a touch-sensitive center console appeared to replace the previous scattering of buttons. The two screens (the top one is rotatable) of the Touch Pro Duo multimedia system are well known from other Range Rovers. And they slow down in the same way.

The lower touchscreen on the Evoque was periodically shivering. If the dashboard is electronic, as on a test crossover, then one processor still processes graphics from as many as three screens — and it has a hard time.

Of course, there was also a steering wheel with touch buttons — quite comfortable. Instead of the previous gear selector washer, a more familiar joystick appeared — not so beautiful, of course, but practical.

The front seats are good, but the doors are short for some reason: the arm does not have enough armrest length, forcing to rest against the B-pillar.

The back is not that spacious, but not cramped either. You can sit behind you without resting your knees on the back, but there is almost no margin in length.

But the volume of the trunk has grown — up to 472 liters.

The rear view is poor due to the small glass in the tailgate, but as an option there is a camera in the “fin” on the roof, which streams video to a 1600 x 320 pixel screen in the salon mirror.

The camera does not have a washer, but it has a hydrophobic coating, the brightness is adjustable and the viewing angle is slightly adjusted vertically.

True, I would still like to lower the camera even lower — it mainly shows the roofs of cars driving behind. But the picture quality is excellent.

Materials (edit)

Range Rover Evoque second generation L551 is built on the modular PTA platform. In front of it there are MacPherson struts, and in the back there is now a multi-link with an ingenious integral link.

All «Ewoks» for the Russian market have a nine-speed «automatic» ZF and an all-wheel drive transmission with a clutch on the rear axle.

The proprietary Terrain Response 2 system has received improved settings for driving modes — among them, as before, automatic, Eco, Comfort, Grass / Gravel / Snow, Mud-rut and Sand.

The power structure of the body consists mainly of steel, the share of high-strength and ultra-high-strength alloys has been increased — this has increased the rigidity of the body by 13%.

Only the front pillars and the front bumper cross member are made of aluminum. The test crossover in the D180 version is equipped with a 2.0-liter Ingenium turbo diesel engine producing 180 horsepower.

It is equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger, active hydraulic bearings, balancer shafts and a phase regulator on the exhaust shaft.

Passability

In fact, the Ingenium turbodiesel “four” and the ZF nine-speed “automatic” went to the second generation Ewok from its predecessor, but there is no need to regret it at all.

The engine is a little noisy outside, but in the cabin it is almost inaudible. It’s pretty quiet inside, I must say.

The engine is vigorous and easy to lift, but the dynamics do not boggle the imagination — the car accelerates from zero to 100 km / h in 9.3 seconds.

The reason for this is the curb weight of the crossover in 1785 kilograms. The Evoque is heavy.

«Automatic» is often confused in its own nine gears — especially in the urban rhythm and when switching «down».

It all looks like unreasonable switching, it feels like small jerks. On the track and at high speeds, there are no such problems — the box works smoothly and logically.

Air suspension for the younger Range Rover is not allowed — only conventional or adaptive shock absorbers. The ride is above average — the car certainly cannot be called hard.

The suspension copes well with large irregularities, but medium ones — like speed bumps — respond with unpleasant jabs, and chipped asphalt and other irregular surfaces sometimes give off high-frequency itching on the steering wheel.

But the rolls are quite moderate. And the «Ewok» drives well — the sharp steering wheel makes 2.2 turns from lock to lock with an understandable reactive effort.

The crossover turns carefully, but without a twinkle. Just do not forget that first of all it is an off-road vehicle.

For example, even the base Evoque has off-road cruise control and a second-generation Terrain Response system.

The suspension is long travel and the electronics are really cool: even in automatic mode, Range Rover can climb much further than its glamorous appearance promises.

And, probably, what its potential owners need. If you play with the off-road settings, the diesel crossover can be driven into seemingly impenetrable jungle. Know yourself step on the pedal.

Outcome

Range Rover Evoque of the second generation emphasized all the advantages of its predecessor: it began to look even more fashionable, glamorous, more beautiful, finally — the optics alone are worth something!

And bright colors suit him incredibly. Despite the smart appearance, the successor seemed to have matured together with the previous owners of the Evoka — on the move it seems to be more collected and rides as if it were more expensive and of better quality.

The cost of a compact crossover starts at 3,140,000 rubles for a diesel 150-horsepower version and ends somewhere around 4,574,000 rubles for a gasoline 249-horsepower modification in the R-Dynamic package. Without considering options, of course. Well, beauty requires sacrifice. Including financial.