Evoque Convertible is Land Rover’s Auto Expo show stopper

The convertible version of the Evoque is a dramatic looking vehicle, and it’s coming to India. The vehicle will be the first convertible SUV for the Indian market, excluding the likes of the Jeeps and Gypsy of course. The cabriolet version of Range Rover’s best selling luxury crossover is likely to be a CBU, straight from England.

What this means is, expect to pay about a crore rupees for one. Turbocharged petrol and diesel engines will be offered on the Evoque, and the EcoBoost petrol motor will duck down under 2.0 liters (240 Bhp-340 Nm) while the diesel displaces 2.2 liters (187 Bhp-420 Nm).

A 9 speed automatic gearbox will be standard, and so will an all wheel drive layout with the Terrain Response system. Like all vehicles with the Land/Range Rover badges, the Evoque Cabriolet gets good off road credentials. A 500 mm water wading capability, and approach, breakover and departure angles of 19, 18.69 and 31.0 degrees are standard.

Gradeability of up to 45 degrees and tilt-ability of up to 35 degrees are other highlights. Hill hold assist, hill descent control and gradient descent control are integrated into the 9 speed automatic gearbox. ABS, Airbags, ESP, Lane Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking are standard safety features.

Land Rover meanwhile, has already updated its Indian webpage with the Evoque Cabriolet, which only means that the launch is around the corner. With this SUV all set to be unveiled at the Auto Expo of 2016, a launch at the same venue is highly likely. The Evoque Cabriolet made its debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November 2015.

Going into the details of the vehicle, it gets 270 kilograms heavier and the extra weight is mainly due to the folding soft top and the reinforcements that are required to make the vehicle as stiff as the hard top version. The soft top folds down into the boot in 18 seconds, and comes back on in 21, at speeds of up to 48 Kph.