By: IOL Motoring Staff
Whitley, UK - Unlike the Spice Girl that helped design it, the Range Rover Evoque was hardly in any major need of a makeover.
But hang on a minute, it has been on the market for almost four years already, which means it must be time for one of those midlife-crisis-avoiding rejuvenations that all cars seem to receive halfway through their model cycles these days.
The 2016 model year Range Rover Evoque will strut its new style - and efficient new engines - for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in early March, before hitting the streets across the globe later in the year.
To tell it apart from the original Evoque, you'll have to look out for the redesigned bumper, grille and alloy wheels and, if so optioned, the new all-LED adaptive headlights. Rounding off the changes at the read end are new taillights and revised rear spoiler.
ADVANCED NEW DIESEL
Beneath the bonnet, a completely new TD4 engine series from the group's Ingenium family makes this the most economical Land Rover ever produced.
The all-aluminium oil burner is up to 30kg lighter than its predecessor and also quieter thanks to stiffer cylinder blocks and decoupled injectors, while UK service intervals have been increased from 25 744km to 33 789km (converted from miles).
Update: South African models will initially retain the current SD4 diesel engine while Land Rover "evaluates" the new motor with a view to bringing it here "as soon as practical".
Land Rover offers the new TD4 to European customers in two output levels. Opt for the least powerful, with 110kW powering the front wheels only, and you get 'class-leading' efficiency - Land Rover claiming 4.2 litres per 100km on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of just 109g/km. A 132kW version of the new engine is also offered, this one sipping a claimed 4.8 l/100km, while petrol-heads can opt for the familiar 177kW Si4 turbopetrol engine that carries over from the previous range.
ALL-TERRAIN PROGRESS
Of course, those not opting for the most efficient versions will still have their power served up to all four wheels and the Evoque's rough-road ability has been further honed with the inclusion of Land Rover's All-Terrain Progress Control system, which was first introduced on the latest Range Rover. Think if this as cruise control for tricky terrain.
The new model's focus on making your life easier and safer also extends to electronic gadgetry and available toys on the 2016 model include Autonomous Emergency Braking, Attention Assist Estimation, Lane-Keeping assist and a hands-free tailgate.
“IN-CONTROL” ENTERTAINMENT
As for keeping you entertained, models from SE upwards are fitted as standard with the new and more intuitive eight-inch InControl touch-screen infotainment system, offering smart-phone-like functionality, connectivity and apps.
The 2016 cabin also gains new seats, door casings and some new colour options with names like Lunar Ice, Vintage Tan and Dark Cherry. In fact, buyers can choose from 12 colour schemes.
Prices will be announced closer to launch time, but Land Rover says it will be comparable with the outgoing model. Over seas at least. The performance (or lack thereof) of our rand will be the deciding factor over here.