Land Rover may introduce the Convertible version of the second-gen Evoque much earlier into the lifecycle than in the previous generation. IAB’s illustrator Shoeb Kalania has created a rendering to give an early preview of the renewed drop-top version.
Land Rover hasn’t confirmed an additional body style for the second generation Evoque, but it had announced this year that a 3-door version isn’t coming back. So for customers weighing style over practicality, the Convertible could be a solution.
Like the original Range Rover Evoque Convertible, it should have a lightweight fabric hood. However, one can expect a quicker folding mechanism (old model’s stowing/raising time: 18/21 seconds), as well as slightly more boot space (more than 251 litres) in the redesigned 2-door convertible SUV.
Land Rover may offer the all-new Range Rover Evoque Convertible in the range-topping equipment line HSE, along with an option for the R-Dynamic styling package. As for the powertrain options, the P300 and D240 are a given. The company may include the mid-range D180 and P250 options as well, to keep the entry-price low and appeal to a wider band of customers. The specifications of these powertrains are as follows:
- D180 - 2.0-litre diesel engine (180 PS/430 Nm), 48V mild-hybrid system, 9-speed AT, AWD
- D240 - 2.0-litre diesel engine (240 PS/500 Nm), 48V mild-hybrid system, 9-speed AT, AWD
- P250 - 2.0-litre petrol engine (249 PS/365 Nm), 48V mild-hybrid system, 9-speed AT, AWD
- P300 - 2.0-litre petrol engine (300 PS/400 Nm), 48V mild-hybrid system, 9-speed AT, AWD
In addition to these mild-hybrid powertrains, Land Rover may offer even the plug-in hybrid powertrain it will introduce for the 5-door version in 2019.
Also Read: JLR to launch 4 new models, 99 new model variants by 2024
IAB learns that Land Rover received three times the projected demand for the Evoque convertible in India and if such a variant is available in the second generation, the subsidiary would be interested in pursuing it as another business opportunity.