The first official picture of the new compact Range Rover has been released to coincide with the 40th birthday celebration of Range Rover.
Named the Range Rover Evoque, this new coupé will join the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport line-up in the summer of 2011. It will be the smallest, lightest, and most fuel efficient Range Rover produced. Customers have a choice of both a 4WD and a 2WD version, with a sub 130g/km CO2 demonstrating the Range Rover brand's commitment to environmental sustainability.
Phil Popham, managing director of Land Rover, said: "Today is a very special occasion for Range Rover. Not only are we celebrating 40 years of the brand, we are also demonstrating our exciting future by showing the new Range Rover Evoque. Range Rover is one of the most highly regarded and iconic vehicles in the history of motoring and has been a continuing success since we first introduced it in 1970.
"Customers can be confident the new car will be premium, luxurious and just as special as the other Range Rover models. Its sporting looks and unique qualities will open the brand to a new group of customers who may not have considered a Range Rover product before.
"The new Range Rover Evoque is a true global car and will be sold in over 160 countries. It was important to give the car a name that was instantly recognisable through language and cultural boundaries throughout the world. We wanted to create a new name which was innovative and different. A name which implies exclusivity and arouses emotions. Evoque is cosmopolitan and cross-continental, sophisticated and matches the car's urban elegance," he added.
Gerry McGovern, Land Rover design director, said: "The Range Rover is an iconic design that has stood the test of time and it's not difficult to see why. Like the current version, the original Range Rover is such a simple and memorable shape that is easily recognisable."
The Evoque will make its global public debut at the Paris Motor Show at the end of September and will go on sale from next summer.
