Range Rover Evoque SD4 - in ninth gear
The number of gears in automatic transmissions is steadily increasing. 7-speed transmissions are increasingly found in popular vehicles. "Eights" go to cars from the top shelf. The Range Rover Evoque is one of the first vehicles with… a nine-speed gearbox.
British motorists have long been waiting for the appearance of the "urban SUV". In January 2008, Land Rover unveiled the stunning LRX prototype. Moments later, the crisis began and the fate of many car manufacturers was called into question. Land Rover was lucky because it was entering a difficult period under the rule of a new owner - a thriving concern Tata Motors.
The LRX concept went into mass production in 2011 almost unchanged. However, this did not strengthen the Land Rover lineup. It was concluded that the Evoque should be offered alongside the higher ranked Range Rover. The novelty is aimed at a group of customers who were considering buying, including German premium SUVs, i.e. Audi Q3 and BMW X1.
Orthodox Range Rover fans shook their heads in disbelief. They could not accept a pseudo-all-terrain vehicle, which in the basic version has front-wheel drive, and even in the 4x4 version can cope with forest roads at best. Never before has the brand offered such an “imperfect” model. However, the manufacturer has well analyzed the preferences of potential buyers. Evoque not only met market expectations, but also reached recipients who had previously had no contact with Range Rover. In many regions, the small SUV has become the brand's most popular model. Over the course of a year and a half, 170 orders were collected and sold. The market reaction is not surprising. At launch, the Evoque was the best-looking compact SUV around. And he still deserves this title. The Evoque also offers Range Rover vibes and exclusivity for a reasonable amount of money. The basic version was priced at 187 thousand zlotys. It's not cheap, but we would like to remind you that you have to pay over thousands of zlotys for a Range Rover Sport. zloty
Three years later, it's time for a little refreshment of the model. Visual adjustments were redundant. Ewok looks perfect. So Range Rover has focused on technology to reduce fuel consumption, improve handling and improve safety.
What's new in the new? More attractive rims and upholstery were prepared. All engine versions have a Stop-Start system. Sign recognition systems have appeared on the options list, signaling an unintentional departure from the lane and warning of cross-traffic when reversing. The parking assistant has received a function to exit the parking lot, which helps you get out of parking spaces. Known from larger Range Rovers, Wade Sensing analyzes the vehicle's settling and warns you when you're approaching a safe wading depth.
The biggest change has been in the transmission. The updated Range Rover Evoque received a 9-speed ZF 9HP automatic transmission. The gearbox is standard on the Si4 petrol version and optional on the TD4 and SD4 turbodiesels. What are the benefits of above average gearing? The first gear is very short, so it facilitates off-road driving and is useful when pulling away with a heavy trailer. In turn, the extended last gears reduce the noise level and fuel consumption during high-speed driving. In automatic mode, the box changes gears quite often. It is enough that a slope appears on the track and the controller switches from ninth gear to "eighth" or "seven". The decrease is not accompanied by significant changes in engine speed and the process is smooth. So there is no discomfort associated with "fan" gears.
The ZF 9HP gearbox downshifts very efficiently. Of course, you can lead to a moment of hesitation. It is enough to squeeze the gas to the floor at 50-60 km / h and the gearbox has to switch from sixth to second gear. The “automatic” used until now changed gears one after another. The 9HP transmission controller can skip gears and immediately activate the target gear. The final decision depends on many factors. Electronics analyzes lateral overloads and the position of the accelerator pedal, trying to reduce gear shifts when cornering. Quickly removing your foot from the gas pedal, you do not immediately shift to a higher gear - the computer assumes that a large amount of power may be required at one moment. The controller also analyzes the driver's driving style and attempts to select the optimal gearshift strategy. Range Rover says the 9-speed transmission has reduced fuel consumption by about 10%. Despite the presence of three additional gears, the gearbox is only 6 mm longer than the "six" and weighs ... 7,5 kg less.
Evoque with 2.0 Si4 petrol engine producing 240 hp. gets a new Active Driveline. When starting off, the torque goes to all wheels. At speeds above 35 km/h, if the sensors detect no risk of skidding, rear-wheel drive is disengaged to reduce fuel consumption. Reactivation occurs when traction problems are detected or when driving at high speeds. The process takes 0,3 seconds. Another new feature is the active distribution of torque between the wheels of the rear axle. This is useful when cornering as it reduces understeer. Solutions to improve traction don't stop there. The Range Rovery Evoque with Si4 petrol and SD4 diesel engines gets Torque Vectoring - braking on the inside of the swivel, lightweight wheels to optimize torque distribution.
Even the most advanced solutions would not work if they had to work with a poorly tuned suspension. Luckily, the Range Rover Evoque's chassis didn't disappoint. It provides precise handling with little understeer in the extreme range and at the same time guarantees high comfort even when fitted with optional 19-inch wheels. The sporty drive of the model is best emphasized by the straightness of the steering - the extreme positions of the steering wheel are separated by only 2,5 turns. It is a pity that the electric assistant limited the communication of the system a little. The steering wheel was not transplanted from the larger Range Rover models. The basis for his preparation was the Jaguar XJ steering wheel. The gear knob also comes from British limousines. It is a pity that the rotary control for the operation of the multimedia system has not been developed. The individual functions are selected using the touch screen or the buttons on the steering wheel and center console.
The interior is spacious, but the high central tunnel and the contour of the rear seat clearly indicate that the smallest Range Rover should be used by a maximum of four people. The quality of finishing materials does not give the slightest reason for criticism. On the other hand. The smallest Range Rover has better interior materials than the competition. The instrument panel of the tested car was finished with a material with a specific but eye-catching texture. Range Rover avoided the mistake made by other companies. Contrasting stitching is found exclusively in the front of the cabin. The top line is made with a dark thread, so on sunny days the driver will not see annoying glare on the windshield. Another plus for well-shaped seats and an optimal driving position. The high position of the seat cushions makes it easier to see the road. The driver is surrounded by a well-designed center console and high lines of the doors and dashboard, so that the seat does not seem excessively raised. The problem arises when maneuvering. There is practically no rear view. Rear parking sensors come as standard for a reason. It is worth noting that the dynamic line of the body did not affect the volume of the trunk, which holds 575-1445 liters.
Range Rover is considered a car that can handle almost any terrain. The Evoque is not a sneaker, but the designers made sure that the model retains the off-road spirit of the brand. We won't lie when we say that this is one of the few compact SUVs that is truly suitable for paved roads. In addition to a high ground clearance of 21,5 cm, the smallest Range Rover has received the Terrain Response system. Behind the mysterious markings are various algorithms for the operation of the engine, gearbox and ESP system controllers, which make it easier to drive on mud, ruts, sand, grass, gravel and snow. The air intake and battery are located as high as possible. Just in case the driver decides to test whether the Evoque can actually cross a 50cm deep ford. Downhill speed control is standard. It works, which we have tested by rolling off… trampoline bulbs covered with metal plates. Of course, you should keep your imagination in check. The off-road potential of the smallest Range Rover is limited by road tires. Massive bumpers that worsen the angles of entry and exit are also not an advantage.
When choosing a Range Rover Evoque with a diesel engine, we are sure that we will get a car with a 2,2-liter engine. The unit, prepared by Ford and PSA engineers, is available in two versions - 150 hp. and 190 hp The tested Evoque received a more powerful engine. 190 HP at 3500 rpm and 420 Nm at 1750 rpm provide good performance. The sprint time to "hundreds" - 8,5 seconds - can hardly be considered a throw value. The temperament is cooled by a considerable curb weight of the car, which is 1,7 tons.
The Evoque is the cheapest model in the Range Rover range. However, the cheapest does not mean the cheapest. The basic version of the compact SUV was priced at 186,6 thousand rubles. zloty For this we get the 5-door Pure version with a 150 hp 2.2 eD4 turbodiesel. The standard equipment includes everything you need - automatic air conditioning, brushed aluminum decor, audio system, multifunction steering wheel, rear parking sensors and seats with leather upholstery.
A more powerful diesel 2.2 SD4 starts from PLN 210,8 thousand. Its price tag ends at around 264,8 thousand. PLN, but remember that a long list of options gives you the opportunity to increase the final amount by several tens of thousands of PLN. In diesel versions, you will have to pay 12,2 thousand. zł for an automatic transmission. In a premium SUV, heated seats (PLN 2000), xenon headlights (PLN 4890), parking cameras (PLN 2210-7350) or metallic paint (PLN 3780-7520) are also useful. We select the following items from the list of options, and the price increases rapidly. The customization options for the Range Rover Evoque are enormous. The manufacturer offers stylistic elements, incl. a roof with a contrasting color, tinted windows and spoiler covers, as well as comfort accessories - ventilated seats, active suspension, TV tuner and 8-inch monitors behind the front headrests.
The updated Range Rover Evoque will appeal to drivers who are looking for a spectacular and versatile car with a lot of modern tahoe and almost unlimited personalization options. Flaws? The most serious is the price. The Evoque is about the size of the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 but costs more than the base versions of the Q5 and X3.
