RANGE ROVER AMERICA - Land Rover is introducing two new limited editions to the Range Rover Evoque line-up for 2015: the luxurious Autobiography, and the more powerful, more agile Autobiography Dynamic.
The Autobiography limited editions feature enhanced body styling, 20-inch forged alloy wheels and premium leather interior details. The Autobiography Dynamic chassis has been optimized for sharper handling, and receives a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine which has been upgraded to 285hp - a substantial 45hp increase.
Enhancing Land Rover's connected-car technologies, Land Rover InControl Apps* debuts across the range. InControl Apps enables vehicle-optimised smartphone apps to be displayed and controlled with their original look and feel from the vehicle's touchscreen**. Owners simply connect their smartphone through a dedicated USB port to enable compatible iPhone or Android apps to function.
Park assist semi-autonomous parking, a surround camera system, blind-spot monitoring with closing vehicle sensing and reverse traffic detection continue to be available, making the Range Rover Evoque perfectly suited to busy urban environments***.
Since its launch in 2011, the Range Rover Evoque has won 157 international awards for its combination of leading-edge design, striking interior craftsmanship, agile handling and off-road capability. The Range Rover Evoque continues to appeal with more than 270,000 sales worldwide, making it the fastest-selling Land Rover of all time.
Luxurious Autobiography
For the first time, the luxurious Autobiography limited editions will be available on the Range Rover Evoque. A trim line also found on the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, the Autobiography is distinguished by a selection of premium interior and exterior upgrades. The Autobiography is positioned at the top of the line, along with the new Autobiography Dynamic and sitting above the existing Pure, Dynamic and Prestige derivatives.
Available in the 5-door body style, the Autobiography benefits from enhanced Dynamic body styling, diamond-turned, forged 20-inch alloy wheels, and new exterior trim components. These components are finished in Atlas Silver and include a new grille design, lower front valance and new fog light surrounds. The lower reaches of the Autobiography's body sides are finished in contrasting Santorini black, creating a ground-hugging stance. Jewel-like 'crystal' headlights and tail lamps enhance the premium look. Autobiography ingot badging is featured on the tailgate and front fender vents.
Inside, Autobiography models are equipped with a luxurious leather interior in a selection of six color palettes. Autobiography embossing features prominently on the front headrests. New illuminated tread plates with Autobiography script are available in a choice of three distinctive finishes.
"The Range Rover Evoque raised expectations in the compact SUV class and continues to be applauded for its ground-breaking design and premium interior," said Land Rover Design Director & Chief Creative Officer Gerry McGovern. "The new Range Rover Evoque Autobiography is a natural progression, bringing luxury that's more commonly associated with far larger, more expensive models to a premium compact SUV, while reaffirming its ability to resonate with customers on an emotional level."
Autobiography Dynamic brings even greater performance and agility
The new Autobiography Dynamic limited edition is the most performance-focused Range Rover Evoque ever produced. This model will be available exclusively with a 285hp upgraded version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine.
The all-aluminum, direct-injection engine in the Autobiography Dynamic limited edition produces 285hp, a 45hp increase. The performance gains can be attributed to a new design of single-scroll turbocharger, recalibrated engine-management software and a new sports exhaust system tuned for excellent flow characteristics as well as an appropriately muscular sound.
The steering of the Autobiography Dynamic has been specially tuned for additional on-center precision. The chassis also features upgraded suspension geometry, firmer spring rates and recalibrated adaptive dampers, increasing agility and turn-in response. This has been achieved without impacting on the ride quality. Land Rover engineers have fitted upgraded 13.8-inch (350mm) front brake discs to balance the available performance.
The Autobiography Dynamic limited edition will be available in 5-door body styles and benefits from enhanced dynamic styling; forged 20-inch alloy wheels finished in satin grey and exterior trim components detailed in Santorini black. These components include a new design of grille and lower front valance and new fog light surrounds. The vehicle also features 'Autobiography' illuminated tread plates and ingot badging on the tailgate and front fender vents, while darkened headlights and clear tail lamps complement the sophisticated, sporting exterior.
A Santorini black contrast roof is standard, while body-color side trim visually lowers the vehicle and creates an athletic stance. An exclusive new Phoenix Orange premium metallic body color will be available.
Inside, the Autobiography Dynamic limited edition has premium climate seats in a range of four colors. The front seats also feature the Autobiography embossed logo, while the dashboard is highlighted with dark brushed aluminum trim accents unique to the Autobiography Dynamic.
The 9-speed ZF automatic transmission with adaptive shift program has been retuned for the Autobiography Dynamic so that it responds more keenly to sportier driver inputs. The result is a noticeable increase in mid-range performance and gearshifts that seamlessly adapt to driver behavior. The transmission's Sport mode and steering-wheel-mounted CommandShift gear-selector paddles provide more driver involvement when desired.
Active driveline is standard on all Range Rover Evoque models. A revolutionary driveline technology, active driveline is designed to improve traction, enhance agility and to improve fuel efficiency by engaging four-wheel drive seamlessly and automatically as required***. Active driveline seamlessly switches to two wheel drive during steady-state driving at speeds over 22mph, reducing driveline drag losses. When circumstances dictate, the four-wheel-drive system automatically reactivates within 300 milliseconds.
In addition, active driveline can optimally distribute torque to the rear wheels individually, while also having the ability to lock them together. This provides improved traction and composure off road, while also enhancing performance on road.
Torque vectoring operates on all four wheels to reduce understeer. Torque vectoring operates on low-grip surfaces for all Evoque models, but its capability is extended to high-grip surfaces for the Autobiography Dynamic, ensuring agile and responsive handling characteristics.
Land Rover InControl Apps - the ultimate for in-car connectivity
Land Rover InControl Apps* will be introduced on the 2015 Range Rover Evoque. This new in-car technology complements the existing infotainment system of the Range Rover Evoque by bringing the convenience, familiarity and original look and feel of compatible smartphone apps into the owner's vehicle.
Land Rover InControl Apps is compatible with the latest Apple and Android smartphones. By connecting a smartphone to the dedicated USB port, specific smartphone apps optimized for in-vehicle use will function on the touchscreen, with new content available every time the apps update**.
"InControl Apps puts us at the cutting edge of in-car connectivity. The Range Rover Evoque's central touchscreen is now an extension of an owner's iPhone or Android smartphone with the latest content always available," said Jaguar Land Rover Group Engineering Director Dr. Wolfgang Ziebart. "Crucially, Land Rover InControl Apps allows other drivers of the vehicle to access their own smartphone content safely and effectively on the vehicle's touchscreen."
Land Rover InControl Apps has been developed with some of the world's leading smartphone app developers so that they are perfectly suited for in-car use, such as satellite-navigation, music streaming, internet radio and location services. Compatible apps available at launch include iHeartRadio for Auto, Stitcher, Glympse, Sygic, Parkopedia, Hotelseeker, Cityseeker, Eventseeker, News on Board, Winston and MobileDay, with the range being continually expanded.
Also included is a productivity suite that enables easy access to the connected smartphone's contacts, calendar and music library.
When InControl Apps is selected as a customer option, the owner must download Land Rover InControl Apps to their smartphone from either the Apple App Store (for iPhone 5 and later) or Google Play (Android). Once the phone is connected to the vehicle's dedicated USB port, the owner simply taps the InControl Apps icon on the central touchscreen and selects the desired vehicle-compatible app from the menu.
Together, Land Rover InControl Apps and its integrated productivity suite enable busy owners to organize their day-to-day lives more efficiently, helping to strike an improved work-life balance.
Land Rover InControl Apps* is the latest addition to Land Rover's suite of InControl connected-car technologies. InControl Remote allows owners to summon roadside assistance or the emergency services if required. The InControl Remote smartphone app allows owners to prepare for a trip by checking fuel levels and range remotely, find their vehicle in a crowded parking lot and check if they have left doors or windows open. They can also download journey details to assist in claiming business mileage expenses. InControl Secure tracks the vehicle should it be stolen.
*Land Rover InControl Apps is market dependent.
**Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control. Do not operate, adjust or view the navigation or multimedia systems under conditions that will affect your safety or the safety of others. Only use mobile phones and other devices, even with voice commands, when it is safe to do so.
***These systems are not a substitute for driving safely with due care and attention and will not function under all circumstances, speeds, weather and road conditions, etc. Driver should not assume that these systems will correct errors of judgment in driving. Please consult the owner's manual or your local authorized Land Rover Retailer for more details.