Range Rover, a unit of UK-based Land Rover, has launched its smallest, lightest and most fuel efficient model at the ongoing 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

“The all-new Range Rover Evoque has received an overwhelming reception following its public debuts in Paris and Los Angeles,” said Land Rover’s global brand director John Edwards.

“Many prospective buyers are customers who have not considered Land Rover before, and yet are excited by the unique design, premium technologies and compact size that the Evoque offers.”

Gerry McGovern, Land Rover design director said: “Customers like to make their own unique statement with a vehicle and we have provided individuals with lots of opportunity to personalise their new Range Rover Evoque.”

“While the options on offer are spectacular, customers can use our 'designers choice' to guide their selection, with carefully co-ordinated colour and material combinations that have their own distinctive character,” he added.

The choices for customisation range from designer exterior packs, contrasting colours on the roof and spoilers, immaculately-trimmed designer interiors, and an array of technologies.

The Range Rover Evoque allows customers to specify a lavishly appointed cabin with soft, premium leather providing a luxurious finish to almost every surface of the instrument panel, doors and seats, with beautifully tailored twin-needle stitching, a statement said.

The Range Rover Evoque gives customers the choice of three stylish design themes: the contemporary ‘Pure’, the luxurious ‘Prestige’, and the sporting ‘Dynamic’.

Customers can further tailor these themes with different designer interiors, option packs, standalone and accessory items, providing even more freedom to specify the car of their choice.

Murray Dietsch, director of Land Rover Programmes said: "We have focused on ensuring that the car is agile and fun to drive, so that customers have a rewarding experience, even in day-to-day urban driving. Advanced technologies such as MagneRide mean we can ensure that this dynamic prowess does not come at the cost of top-quality refinement or comfort."

The car has a significantly better breakover angle, approach angle and departure angle than other premium compact SUVs, a statement said.

The Range Rover Evoque offers a turbocharged powertrain line-up, allowing customers to choose from the updated 2.2-litre turbodiesel with 190PS and 150PS derivatives, or the new 240PS 2.0-litre Si4 petrol engine.

The advanced new 240PS 2.0-litre Si4 turbocharged engine combines direct fuel injection and twin variable valve timing for exceptional drivability and fuel efficiency, delivering 0-100 kmph in 7.6 seconds, the statement said.

David Mitchell said: “The Evoque provides the complete Range Rover experience, but packaged into a smaller, more attainable car.  Many of the new customers will be more youthful, tech-savvy buyers, whose expectations will be exceeded with the rich array of premium features that will make ownership a real pleasure.”

The Range Rover Evoque features the Terrain Response technology, the setting for which can be selected via a control on the centre console: general driving; grass/gravel; mud and ruts; and sand.  An additional dynamic setting is available for cars specified with adaptive dynamics.

To optimise safety and control on steep gradients, the Range Rover Evoque also offers hill descent control (HDC) and gradient release control (GRC).

John Edwards, Land Rover's global brand director, said: “With its compact size and green performance, the Range Rover Evoque is totally at home in the city.”

The all-new Range Rover Evoque gears up for mass production in summer 2011, the statement said. – TradeArabia News Service