Land Rover pedigree

Four-wheel-drive models will use the drive system from the Freelander with subtle changes, and therell be a revised version of Land Rovers Terrain Response control unit, which varies how systems such as the throttle and traction control function to suit different surfaces.

All models will have hill-start and hill-hold to aid smoother getaways, and four-wheel-drive versions will also have Hill Descent Control to limit speed down steep slopes.

The Evoque will be the first Land Rover product with electronic power steering (another fuel-saving measure) and therell be the option of Magna-ride continuously variable damping, controlled by magnetic fluid in the shock absorbers.

This cars a bit like the Range Rover Sport to drive in some respects, says Dietsch. It gives you comfort on the motorway, but lets you have a bit of fun on the twisty bits.

The electrics are very similar to those in the latest Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and the Land Rover Discovery 4, so anything thats available in those cars will be offered in the Evoque.

Interior photos of the Range Rover Evoque
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> Range Rover Evoque 7McGovern has deliberately gone for a vertical dash and tried to make it as free of clutter as possible by paring the switchgear to a minimum. Automatic versions have the rising rotary gear selector first seen on the Jaguar XF.

We wanted luxury, not gimmickry, McGovern says. It had to have a sense of occasion. Its the same ingredients youd find in other Range Rovers, but cooked in a different way. Therell be three versions: Pure will have an off-road bias; Prestige will be the premium model; and Dynamic the sporty option with different colour palettes and body adornments.

The Evoque's dashboard. click here for a larger versionThe Evoque fits in perfectly with McGoverns aim to retain the functionality of Land Rovers and Range Rovers, but with more sustainability and desirability.

Theres every chance it will become Land Rovers top-selling model: the company has already taken 500 deposits from eager buyers, even though production at the Halewood factory on Merseyside doesnt begin until the end of May 2011. The number of people this is going to bring to the brand whove never been in one of our dealerships before is just staggering, says Dietsch.

Posh Spice: car designer
Its fair to say that the motoring world was left speechless when Land Rover recently announced that it would be involving fashion guru and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham in future projects, but the companys design director Gerry McGovern describes it as a potentially massive coup. She brings something important a different point of view, he says.

Shes a sophisticated lady, a family person and she has carved out her own successful career to critical acclaim in the cut-throat fashion business. Shes been a Range Rover customer for years, shes a consumer of premium products and she has impeccable taste. So how is the arrangement going to work? Well, shes not going to be designing a new interior for us, although there might be special editions with her, says McGovern. She wont be involved with Land Rover, only Range Rover.

Shell come along from the consumer perspective and give us her input on things like finishes, colour and trim and merchandising and accessories.