Evoque drop-top set to be Geneva show star

Land Rover’s stand at next month’s Geneva Motor Show will feature a convertible version of the highly successful Evoque.

And sources suggest that if the reaction by showgoers is positive, a decision to put the drop-top into production could come very swiftly.

According to Land Rover Design Director Gerry McGovern, the Evoque is an excellent basis for a convertible.

“This study is not a traditional convertible design execution – instead we have worked with the balance of the Evoque’s lines to retain its distinctive shape and create something that is unique and, we believe, highly desirable,” he says.

McGovern and his team based the convertible around the three-door coupe variant of the Evoque. The roof is fully retractable, folding down to sit in a tapered finisher with its mechanism hidden below the car’s belt line.

The redesign has, according to the car’s creators, been achieved with very little change to torsional rigidity or weight, despite the significant strengthening needed to compensate for the removal of the fixed roof.

The concept carries all the technology evident on the current production Evoque, including such highlights as Terrain Response, surround cameras, Park Assist and an infotainment system based around an 8-inch dual-view touch screen and a sound system from British audio experts, Meridian.

Exterior finish is in a new metallic Causeway Grey paint with bespoke 21-inch Titan silver wheels. The interior is described as ‘Lunar and Ivory’ with leather seats featuring sporty perforated panels and Ivory contrast stitching.

Land Rover’s Global Brand Director John Edwards describes the Evoque Convertible Concept as a new twist to the Evoque story that; “explores the potential to further extend the nameplate’s appeal by giving existing customers more choice, whilst at the same time reaching out to a completely new customer base.

“We are excited to see the response to this concept as we assess the potential for building on the Evoque’s exceptional success so far,” he adds.

If Land Rover does decide on putting the convertible into production alongside the mass-selling Evoque hard top, it would be unlikely to reach showrooms for at least two years.

Words by: Andrew Charman