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Range Rover Evoque

The Range Rover Evoque is a compact hatchback designed to address climate change issues by reducing the car's greenhouse gas emissions. Though a lower build than previous models, it still offers a commanding driving position, and there's a sporty feel thanks to the high waistline. The electric power steering is convincingly natural at town speed, while the 237bhp petrol motor is strong and solid in its delivery.

Inside the design is sleek and modern, with an ambient interior lighting that changes with the Terrain Response settings. Vehicle data is communicated via a 'floating' three-dimensional LCD display. An aluminium centre console with an iPhone docking station stretches the length of the cabin, separating the four seats, and the tailgate includes two padded seating areas and integrated cup holders. The seats have open frameworks create a light, airy interior and also provide under-seat and under-floor stowage areas. The articulated mechanism of the powered rear seats offers flexibility, and offers a large, flat storage area when needed.

Environmentally the Evoque is leading the way with developments such as biofuel compatibility, lightweight construction, technologies such as the removable carbon composite roof panels, a stop-start system, regenerative brakes and the ERAD (electric rear axle drive) parallel hybrid powertrain system. ERAD incorporates an electric motor into the rear axle of the vehicle propelling the LRX to speeds of up to 20 mph (32 km/h) before the engine is ignited by an integrated starter generator. ERAD is designed to reduce CO2 emissions by an average of 20 per cent but is expected to offer an extra 10 per cent reduction in slow driving situations. The system has also been designed to also optimise the off-road ability of the vehicle. Land Rover aims to achieve 120 g/km CO2 emissions and fuel economy of 60 mpg-imp(4.7 L/100 km; 50 mpg-US) on the European combined cycle using an efficient 2.0 litre turbodiesel engine.