Land Rover plans first premium SUV convertible for 2016

Land Rover has said that its first premium compact Sport Utility Vehicle convertible, Evoque, will go on sale in 2016 though the tunnels are still under construction.

Positioning the new Evoque as the world’s most capable convertible, the automaker said the first prototype of SUV was granted exclusive access to the 26-mile (42km) network of Crossrail tunnels for a development test with a difference ahead of Los Angeles auto show in November.

While Coscharis Motors, the firm’s authorised dealer in Nigeria said it would ensure customers get its entire premium products including the new Evoque, Director of Land Rover Programmes, Murray Dietsch said: “The tunnels are still under construction, so we had a unique opportunity to explore the vehicle’s all-terrain ability in unchartered territory.

“Land Rover will announce further details about its exclusive new premium compact SUV Convertible later this year. It will be built alongside the five door and coupe Evoque at Land Rover’s Halewood plant in the UK and will be on sale in 2016”.

The new model is expected to get all-terrain help from features like 4WD, Hill Descent Control and Terrain Response but may likely have the same 500 mm (19.7 in) wading capability as the standard Evoque and a Wading Sense system to keep the driver informed about water depth.

Land Rover chief engineer for vehicle integrity Mike Cross told Gizmag.com that: “Land Rover prides itself on being a class leader when it comes to all-terrain capability and the Evoque Convertible is no different.

“Thanks to a combination of innovative engineering and the application of advanced technologies, Evoque Convertible will deliver a dynamic and assured SUV experience that has been tested around the world. We call it ‘The Convertible for all Seasons,” Cross added.