Land Rover Ewok

[dasadrew]

Anyone here got one of those new-fangled eeFook Landies? Reliability & Quality? Company has decided not to force another Merc on to us and I find the Evoque quite appealing. Main dealer is miles away though, so don't want something that will have to go back every month for a recall or whatever.

[Daz]

It’s not really a Range Rover it’s a Freelander in a frock. They do a cheap 2wd version which is just that, cheap. The 4wd is much better (if you are a hairdresser) Stay with three pointed star to avoid embarrassment. IMHO

[staginhiding]

It’s not really a Range Rover it’s a Freelander in a frock. They do a cheap 2wd version which is just that, cheap. The 4wd is much better (if you are a hairdresser) Stay with three pointed star to avoid embarrassment. IMHO

They used to call the Stag a "hairdressers car" when it first came out..

[dasadrew]

They used to call the Stag a "hairdressers car" when it first came out..

and the Ferrari F355

[Guest]

Overfinch do I smart version of the Evogue. 3pointed star is a Tenerife Taxi

Jason

[jleyton]

We've got a friend who's had one since shortly after they were launched and he loves it and hasn't had any problems - not sure which model though, other than it's diesel. Sample of one may not be too much help to you I'm afraid.

Must admit, it's one of the first cars which is overtly 'stylish' that I've fancied.

Cheers

Julian

[Staghound]

Not much room in them Evokikokes...

Andrew.

[wb50]

I just purchased one 3 weeks ago and I must say they seem very good im getting 37.8 to the gallon around town not been on a long run as yet but it beets my 3.6 Range Rover Westminster 23 to the gallon, also the new ones are 9 speed auto's. Will

[dasadrew]

Trying one out for size I was amazed at what Tardis's they are. I had more room than in my GLK although the Evoque looked sleeker. I loved the centre console styling continuity - the Merc console looks like it's been built from Duplo bricks. The dealership owner said also that the 9-speed will blow my mind! Will have to see what the leasing rates are and how much the company will cough up. The "Prestige" version seems to be very good value for money with leather, xenon and the rest.

[1959terry]

I am sure the wife will love it especially an Victoria Beckham helped to design it

[wilf]

Er, no she didn't, she had a hand in a short lived special edition only.

Drew, wife took delivery of her Sd4 prestige last October, last of the MY13 build. I like it, a nice thing to drive, has a fine long distance "lope", although nowhere near as quick or comfy as my XF. Different things though.

They aren't huge inside, and you have to be prepared for little over the shoulder vision, the blind spot monitoring system is a must.

They don't seem to have any systemic faults other than occasionally patchy RR build quality. One thing though - they are thirsty.

The Meridian top spec sound system is wonderful, and stay on 19" max wheels if you don't want to ruin the ride.

[jleyton]

Er, no she didn't, she had a hand in a short lived special edition only.

Er, no. She was an 'ambassador' for the Evoque right from the start and was there at the very first unveiling to the press and dignitaries at Kensington palace.

Cheers

Julian

Range Rover grabbed a sure-fire headline when it revealed the Evoque last week.
Victoria Beckham Designs New Baby Range Rover.
Yup, Mrs Beckham was the surprise celeb who stepped up alongside Land Rover design God Gerry McGovern; in a few seconds, she was turned from mere celeb into Range Rover Creative Design Executive.
Step aside Murat Gunak and Luc Donckerwolke, Victoria’s here to show you how it’s done! Needless to say, commentary over said decision soon came via the net.
What does she know about car design was the general consensus, filtering out the obscenities. Madness, they said: Land Rover, what are you doing?
Sure enough, Ms. Becks ensured the 2011 Range Rover Evoque became news the following day. ‘Victoria becomes car designer’ was splashed everywhere went, in handy economy with the truth. ‘Victoria designs new Range Rover’, they continued. ‘Victoria reinvents the 4-wheel-drives’ they could have carried on.
So, what does she know about car design? To be honest, probably nothing. She doesn’t need to, though. Land Rover has car designers for that.
Instead, what she’s bringing is (ahem) posh market insight.
Posh advises on posh for the posh
Range Rover held its 40th anniversary (and Evoque reveal) bash in association with Vogue magazine, at posh Kensington Palace (it of Princess Diana fame). Celebs duly attended not because of the car, but because other celebs and famed types were.
As all they were, so too were the photographers. And the TV channels. And the celeb reporters. And… well, you get the idea. VB was right at home, and the Evoque was granted instant premium gravitas as a result.
Now, on the night, Gerry McGovern’s explanatory words may have sounded reluctant lip service, but they in fact reveal why she’s there. Edited down, they’re a great insight:
Design and trends… understands luxury products… owned Range Rovers in the past… her products bought by women… new dimension… wider audience.
This is a Range Rover for women. Posh, beautiful women, who like Jimmy Choo shoes and other posh things a male journo can’t ever hope to understand.
We are not in the least bit qualified to offer commentary on what the market likes and hates here. McGovern maybe isn’t, either. For that, you need someone who does mix in those circles. Such as VB.
She won’t be drawing the cars. Gerry McGovern probably doesn’t draw the cars anymore, either; he directs others, provides the framework, the inspiration, the leadership. With her own luxocelebfeminine agenda, this is what Beckham will be doing, too.
I reckon it’s a bit of a forward-thinking coup. Knock Brand Beckham if you like, but there’s no doubting it’s effective.
Besides, Range Rover did something identical years back, and we didn’t slate it so then. Indeed, today, the Vogue Range Rovers remain on sale and are the ones motoring journos hope for in press fleets (it’s always amusing to step from a Kia Picanto into something with Wilton carpet mats).
Anyway, all these posh people paying premium prices for Range Rovers means they can be created at such vast expense and given the pricey technical features that so wow we car nuts. We all thus benefit!
- See more at: http://www.richardaucock.com/why-vic....78jQZtRl.dpuf

[cjp]

Drew,
Not my cup of tea, but my sister, a dedicated follower of fashion, really, really wants one. Right now, she drives an Audi A3, in white, of course, so carefully qualify the recommendation with that datum. Being a dutiful brother, I tried one at the JLR dealer in Indy, and was surprised how roomy it was inside. It also felt as well screwed together as the other Tata-generation JLR products, which is to say pretty darn good: my F-type has been rock-solid. The two-door coupe looks much sleeker than the 4-door, but the doors on the coupe are longer, and I would expect a lot of care would have to be taken in narrow parking spaces as a result. We only get the Ford-based petrol engine model Stateside, which I feel is a bit wimpish, but I would anticipate the diesel to have a bit more torque.

I would like to try it with the 9-speed as well as the new 4 cylinder "Hotfire" engines that will be escaping from the Jag engine plant sometime this year. Rumour has it those won't make into Evoque until 2015 tho'.

Chris

[wilf]

Hi Julian, and yes you are right, Posh was part of the marketing campaign to launch the Evoque. But part of the design team? No.
The Evoque concept was shown in 2009/10 ish - I recall seeing it at one year's Goodwood FOS, called the "LRX" - all Gerry McGovern's work. Posh only got involved in the special edition, where her rose gold watch inspired the gold bits that " adorn" that car, (I have seen one in the flesh and pretty it ain't) and she had some input into a matching luggage/handbag set (which means she probably chose a design from a selection offered to her lol). But input into the core car design she had none, that was all McGovern and his team's work, and I have to say as a bona fide "old fart" that I think it looks pretty damm good.

Chris, glad your F type is proving durable, the couple I have tried are pretty exciting cars, both visually and to drive. Does yours have the "noise button"?

[jleyton]

But input into the core car design she had none, that was all McGovern and his team's work, and I have to say as a bona fide "old fart" that I think it looks pretty damm good.

Chris, glad your F type is proving durable, the couple I have tried are pretty exciting cars, both visually and to drive. Does yours have the "noise button"?

Hi Wilf,

Totally agree with everything in your first para , as an old fart myself

I drove an F type with something like 550hp ? at Castle Combe last year - damn impressive and the noise thing was fun

Cheers

Julian