For some time, we have seen cockpit designers working on ways in which to display more information yet make the dash appear less complex. The second-generation Range Rover Evoque is a fine example, featuring just about every conceivable connectivity and infotainment gadget that you could wish for Christmas. Continuing QUBE/just-auto's review of interior design and technology trends, we slipped inside this well-equipped luxury compact SUV to see how it compares to its predecessor. It has a lot riding on it.
You cannot fail to notice an Evoque while out and about. Its powerful and broad road stance is accentuated by its rising beltline, shaped shoulder line running the length of the car, and distinctive taper to the floating roofline. Black pillars emphasise the exaggerated wedge of the window line. The second generation Evoque is proving just as popular as its predecessor. Tata-owned JLR reported financial results for the three-month period ending 30 September 2019 which showed a return to profitability. Global retail sales of the new Evoque were up by 54.6%. Its rivals include the likes of Audi Q3, BMW X2 and Volvo XC40.
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A feast for the eyes
As you enter the Evoque, the instrument cluster springs to life, displaying all the usual and critical driver information. Once seated, the cockpit glitters with crisp detail and high-tech glossy features. The eye is drawn to the two-tone leather-covered beam stretching the entire width of the cabin, raking back toward the windscreen. As we would expect, the rest of the cockpit is cloaked in lush materials and stitch lines providing a crisp definition between the various componentry.
Also noticeable is the number of switches dotted across the dash kept to an absolute minimum. Positioned centre stage of the horizontal beam, forming a 'T' shape are two ten-inch capacitive polycarbonate touchscreens. The upper touchscreen's menu is itself divided into three panels for navigation, media and phone, allowing you to swipe between menus, pinch to zoom in and out just as you would on a tablet. Each section allows you to bring up yet more detailed information and user options, depending on how much time you have to play around. True, it does take a little time to work your way through the menu and fathom things out. But no more so than a new smartphone.
A neat trick with the upper screen is its tilt through 30 degrees. The screen returns to flush position when the ignition is switched off and automatically adjusts to your previously selected angle when the ignition is switched on again.
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By GlobalDataThe lower, curved touchscreen is integrated within the centre console and manages climate control and terrain response functions. Here, you can set the seat temperature (hot or cold) and various massage functions.
Both touchscreens, developed and supplied by Panasonic, use optical bonding to allow a curved surface while maintaining image quality; suspending the flat TFT display in an optical resin eliminates the air gaps that can otherwise cause reflections and parallax images.
No fewer than 11 speakers are dotted around the cabin. The Meridian sound system is standard, with the option to upgrade to a 17-speaker, 825w surround-sound stereo system.
Sumptuous seats
The powered, heated, leather seats are undeniably comfortable. The Evoque was the first vehicle in its class to offer massage front seats. A selection of five massage programmes can be selected, controlled via the central touchscreen. The steering wheel is also infinitely adjustable, enabling the driver to get totally comfy.
Interior door casings in both the front and rear of the cabin provide a clean, contemporary feel. Other surfaces that you are likely to come into contact with feature soft-touch, deeply-padded areas. There are still the usual scratchy plastic surfaces tucked away at ankle level but what SUV doesn't feature those? The cockpit is decorated with satin-brushed aluminium trim inserts which add to the sense of pure luxury.
Unlike the Mk1, the new Evoque has enough room in the back to seat two adults comfortably without invading each other's space. Folding the 40/20/40 rear seats flat liberates loads of boot space enabling a mountain bike to slip through the large, hands-free power-operated tailgate.
Evoque occupants are not short of places to recharge their gadgets while on the move. Front seat occupants have access to two USB ports and there are three 12V power sockets dotted around the cabin for charging mobile devices. Another 12V socket can be specified in the front of the cabin, along with an additional two USB ports for rear seat passengers.
Mood lighting
Advances have also been made in the interior lighting department. Not so long ago, interior lighting consisted of central and side headliner lights, complemented by low-level ambient lighting located mainly in the cockpit area. Today, the accent has changed, thanks to the widespread use of LEDs enabling personalisation of car interiors. During nighttime driving, the ambient lighting transforms the Evoque's cabin. The automaker offers a portfolio of ambient lighting packages. In high-series derivatives, this culminates in a configurable 18-shade interior mood lighting that includes Ultra Violet, Amberglow and Racing Red. Lighting coverage throughout the cabin features full-length lighting under all armrests and door stowage areas front and rear. Drivers can tailor the lighting to their own preferences via the touchscreen. The Evoque was also the first Tata-owned JLR product to offer full-LED adaptive headlamps, providing a brighter, more evenly distributed light cone. The headlamps' adaptive function enables light beams to be automatically aligned with steering inputs and follow the curves in the road.
Advanced driver assistance systems
Evoque features a suite of ADAS technologies, including Blind Spot Monitor and Closing Vehicle Sensing, Head-Up Display, Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist and Driver Condition Monitor. The latter is based on driver steering inputs. Should the technology detect the jerky, non-linear movements typical of a driver suffering the symptoms of fatigue, it automatically triggers an audible and visual warning in the instrumentation. When cars reach highly automated mode, driver monitoring will become even more significant.
Wade Sensing
Every Evoque can wade through water to a depth of 500mm, a particularly useful feature given that a number of roads across Britain lately have been flooded. Relaying information from sensors in the door mirrors, the Wade Sensing feature informs the driver of the water depth with via a display on the touchscreen and an audible tone that increases as the depth rises. The driver can see both the current depth of the water along with how much deeper the car can safely wade.
Glazing trends
Although we are seeing cars with more glass covering them these days, some vehicle models appear to have less glass to the point where the high shoulder line, A and B pillars limit visibility. We believe there could be a number of reasons, including vehicle aerodynamics, safety and fashion trends. For example, when car designers look to improve a vehicle's aerodynamics – say by sloping the A-pillars – then that in itself somewhat restricts the driver's line of vision since the pillar is moved forward. Also, the height of the belt of shoulder line on some vehicles has increased in an effort to improve the side-impact protection. So the narrow side and rear windows can enhance the appearance of certain cars. The Evoque is a prime example.
Acoustically speaking
The Evoque line-up is built at the automaker's plant in Halewood, Liverpool. Among suppliers shipping parts to the assembly line is Automotive Insulations, a UK-based specialist in the design and manufacture of acoustic and thermal insulation materials. During an interview with the author, MD Jim Griffin discussed the supplier's work in thermal and acoustic insulation, specifically its solutions for JLR. "We work with JLR on their Evoque. We use a material developed in-house known as Xlite which is designed specifically for use in electric, hybrid and lightweight vehicles. Xlite acoustic absorbers weigh very little – up to 70 per cent weight reduction in some applications – and are mouldable and weldable. Using a mismatch of coarse and microfibre structures allows the absorption of high levels of sound across all frequency ranges. The acoustic absorbers are used in the Evoque's engine bay, interior cabin and boot."
On the road
There can be no denying that the Evoque looks the business inside and out yet reassuringly familiar to the Mk1 with Velar-inspired touches. We love the smart rearview mirror that transforms into an HD video screen and interior lighting colour palette to suit every mood. We also love how the Mk2 moves. A test route that took us across town and country felt smooth, quiet and refined. It glides along with a relaxed purpose. But there again, for fifty grand we would expect nothing less. Left to its own devices, the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission performed well. We managed an average of 38 mpg in a 2.0-litre diesel engine compared to the carmaker's 41.3mpg claim on a combined cycle. All things considered, however, that's quite impressive. Dear Santa …
