Above: Jim Gorde reviews the evocative 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Si4.

By Feature Writer Jim Gorde

The new year is upon us and so are a fleet of new automobiles from all corners of the globe. almost every manufacturer has something new or improved up for offer, but there are just a few of these offering that truly stand out of the crowd. One of the most prominent of these is the brand new baby Range Rover - the Evoque.
Above: Daring design statement in a luxury-ute, the Evoque Si4 is a head-turner.

Exterior
For those who remember, Land Rover had displayed the concept vehicle a few years ago and the design was almost too futuristic back then. Fast forward to the present, and that very design has made it through the years, from concept to reality with barely any changes from the original. What that means, is that it is just as stunning even today! Although the proportions might not be massive, it's stance is certainly very unique. From the aggressive and muscular face with the adaptive xenon headlamps, the flared front wheel arches and those high shoulder lines truly evoke the senses as they flow higher and end in a tight rear. The rear skid plate and dual exhausts contribute further to the brute appearance. The sloping roof line means that rear head room is limited, but by no means compromised. And of course, there is that massive glass roof that gives the cabin a nice, airy feel. Full points for design then!
Above: There's no mistaking the interior of the Rover—sumptuous and, according to Jim, a work of art. The interior also pampers with near sound-proof isolation.

Interior
On the inside, there's even more elements that take your breath away. No, it doesn't look one bit like the go-anywhere off-roader in a suit that it is. The version I have my hands on is the top-end gasoline engines coupe - the Evoque Si4 Dynamic. And in here, you have fine grain leather seats, and leather all around, with contrast stitching. The front seats are powered with multiple adjustment possibilities. Land Rover tells me that there is a choice of four trim colors for the inside, as well as a choice of ivory or ebony headlining! The steering wheel is also a work of art, with the way the spoke curve and present the wheel to you. Of course, once seated, my attention immediately goes to the "Drive Select" Jaguar-derived gear shift knob, that rises out of the center console when called upon. There are plenty of creature comforts too. You get climate control with an air quality system and cabin air filter. You also have a 8" touch console in the center that allows you access to the various vehicle functions. The illumination is one of the highlights with the blue glow spreading across once you're ready to go. And once you do go, you realize how incredibly silent this thing is!

Safety
This is definitely not an area of concern. It is a Range Rover after all, and you get the proven body design and full complement of airbags, 3-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters, as well as a child seat latch system. Big 19" alloy wheels with fat tires and all round disc brakes with ABS and EBD are standard, as are an electronic stability program and traction control system. Land Rover's Terrain Response system is standard as well, and this is a boon if you do intend to make a few trips on a trail or hit the peaks. It works fantastic, entirely changing the way the car behaves.

Driveline
Land Rover has a potent new weapon under the bonnet of the Evoque - an all-new turbocharged 2.0L inline 4-cylinder motor featuring gasoline direct injection that puts out 240 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 251 lb/ft of torque from just 1750 rpm. Paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission and an intelligent four-wheel drive system, it delivers seamless acceleration on the road, and makes off-roading a breeze as well. There's also the gear shift paddles behind the steering wheel if a more involving drive is what you seek. With a fuel economy of 18 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, and the 18.5 gallon tank, you can ideally cover over 500 miles on a single fill-up.

Trims
The Range Rover Evoque Si4 Dynamic Coupe that I sampled begins from $52,895. The lower trim, the Pure Coupe, begins from $44,995. The four door version has three trim levels - Pure (from $43,995), Prestige (from $52,395) and Dynamic (from $51,495). The Dynamic is the sportier of the lot, while the Prestige offers greater luxury.

So then, Land Rover's latest offering is compact yet has enormous presence because of it's unique design. Although it should face stiff competition from the likes of the equally equipped BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Lexus RX in terms of pricing, the Evoque does make more than a strong case for itself!