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Range Rover Evoque Could Get a High-performance Flagship: Report

Range Rover’s baby Evoque SUV could spawn a more potent version than the current top-shelf Si4 models, if a new report out of the UK is anything to go by.

According to British magazine AutoExpress, the model could come after the expected Cabr

Malcolm Flynn

07:1009 May 2012

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Range Rover Evoque Could Get a High-performance Flagship: Report

Range Rover’s baby Evoque SUV could spawn a more potent version than the current top-shelf Si4 models, if a new report out of the UK is anything to go by.

According to British magazine AutoExpress, the model could come after the expected Cabrio and special edition variants.

The model was hinted at during a recent interview with design boss Gerry McGovern at the Beijing Motor Show.

“For the moment, we’re looking at the cabriolet and special editions – we could do a more overtly sporty one, for example”, said McGovern.

The Evoque in its current form is proving a great sales success for Land Rover, with demand already exceeding production.

Land Rover insiders have spoken of a sports variant before, but this is the first reported comment from a key player such as McGovern.

He also hinted that the model would not stray too far from the current aesthetic.

“You can go too far with the Evoque, but what’s so right about the car is it has what I call killer proportions,” McGovern said.

We can likely expect subtle visual upgrades, including new designs for the 20-inch wheels (the current largest option) and body detail enhancements, along with brake and suspension tuning.

Power would most likely come courtesy of an upgraded version of the Ford-sourced 177kW 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine.

A diesel version, using a tuned version of the SD4 model's 140kW 2.2 litre unit is also a possibility.

Given McGovern’s quoted priority of the model, we wouldn’t expect a launch until at least late 2013.