Tag: Evoque

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Cars

This is What I Think About the New Range Rover Evoque

The second generation Range Rover Evoque has been unveiled. Whilst the first generation Evoque was a game changer in this segment, also keep in mind the world was a different place back in 2010! The second generation brings less of a revolution. In 2011, people were not expecting too much in terms of technological features from a car and also the Evoque emerged looking like something from out of this world.

However, things have changed a lot during the seven-year time period. We are now an extremely well-connected society; everything we do is through our smart phones. We communicate across all devices and the Apple Watch 4, for example, is more powerful than the iPhone 4 from 2010!

It is therefore unsurprising that the unveiling of the second generation Evoque has not create the same vibe as last time. It is, arguably, just a smaller version of the Range Rover Velar. It does not provide drivers with the highly sophisticated driving assistance systems that can be found in the Mercedes-Benz GLC and the BMW X3. Despite being a new car, the Evoque is still at least five years behind its competitors.

Does it look outstanding? Unfortunately, no. It is just a smaller Velar and this will make people perceive the Evoque as a half-baked Range Rover Velar. The second generation Evoque does not bring any distinctive characteristics compared to the first.

Considering the positives, the engine is improved, as you would expect, and the interior is built better than previously. Is this enough, however, to attract people to purchase the second generation Evoque?

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Photo credit // Land Rover

Categories
Cars

Second Generation Range Rover Evoque | Coming soon…

Range Rover Evoque is back! The second generation will be revealed on November 22nd, 2018. Am I excited like the last time? No!

Unfortunately, Land Rover could not manage to close the gap between the German rivals in terms of driving assistance and semi-autonomous driving technologies. The Land Rover brand is now concentrating on being a luxury product rather than a functional product and therefore their focus is not on technological developments. While Land Rover have improved their infotainment and other driving assistance systems during the last seven years, there is still a ten-year gap between the German rivals.

For this reason, I am not particularly excited about the second-generation Range Rover Evoque. The Land Rover PR team’s effort indicates that they would like to position the car as a luxury product that can perform off-road. However, they have not signalled any technological improvements. Furthermore, the same creative concept, the wire sculpture, has been used again. So, my expectations regarding the second generation Evoque are very low.

I am sure that the new vehicle will look good and have improved driving performance. It will also offer more technological features than the first generation. However, I am not expecting to see a Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3, Porsche Macan, or Audi Q5 rival here. These rivals are maximising luxury, efficiency, and technology.

Will the second generation Evoque sell well? Yes, it will. However, I do not think that Land Rover will be able to sustain their sales figures over the next seven years, as they did with the first generation. Consumer tastes are changing and as people focus more on technology and other experiences, buying a car is no longer something for everyone. A car may spend up to 80% of its life stationary, not being used, meaning that buying an iPad or an iPhone is a more appealing option for many. When a person has to spend money on these gadgets on instalment, they are likely to hesitate to commit a monthly payment to a product that will not be used 80% of the time.

Range Rover Evoque Second Gen

Range Rover Evoque Second Gen

Range Rover Evoque Second Gen

Range Rover Evoque Second Gen

Range Rover Evoque Second Gen

Photo Credit // Land Rover

Categories
Cars

Range Rover Evoque Speed Bump Ad

The Range Rover Evoque is facing a massive speed bump. A few weeks ago, Land Rover decided to revive the memories of the Evoque in people’s minds through a 1990s-style advertising campaign. The Evoque was a revolutionary vehicle when it was first revealed in 2011, when Spotify wasn’t available to the US market.

After seven years featuring lots of new competitors and the increased importance of driving assistance in automotive industry, the Evoque feels like an outdated SUV that is approaching the end of its product lifecycle. However, Land Rover needs to sell the Evoque. So, they have decided to go back to the 1990s, and connect the brand with the people through a dialup modem.

The speed bump is a proper 1990’s campaign. They placed an exaggerated problem in daily life, and the product (the Evoque) is the only car that is able to overcome the problem. When we were connecting to the internet through a dialup modem, we would have found this campaign very creative and exciting.

However, we live in 2018, and the 1990’s-style campaigns don’t really work. They seem to be working, based on what we can see from the view count and the comments. Yes, the campaign is working! However, can Land Rover sell this Evoque to someone who is a car expert or someone who reads about cars all the time? Of course not!

In the short term you can see positive feedback and high view number. However, what about the long term results? Can this campaign change the decision of someone who is planning to buy the new BMW X3?

Based on my experience, any SUV on the market can easily tackle this problem. Actually, someone who has off road experience with a passenger car can also tackle it as well. When you approach the situation from the right angle, and you have the traction control, the rest is based on your experience. To be honest, a Ford Fiesta Fusion from 2004 can tackle this speed bump as well as the Evoque.

If the Evoque is so great, why didn’t Land Rover approach it directly?


Range Rover Evoque

Range Rover Evoque

Range Rover Evoque

Range Rover Evoque

Photo Credit // Land Rover

Categories
Cars

New Range Rover Evoque Video with Mercedes-Benz Flag

New Range Rover Evoque for 2014. Actually, Evoque looks the same but they updated the technological features and introduced a 9-speed automatic gearbox. Now, Evoque is capable of engaging the four-wheel drive system on demand. However, unlike other conventional systems, Evoque is capable of driving pure front-wheel drive and engages the four-wheel drive system in 300 milliseconds! Also, there is a new e-diff at the rear and distributing the torque between the rear wheels for increased handling and better off road performance. Also, new Evoque can exit from the park, can sense the rear traffic and closing rear vehicle. 
More interestingly the Evoque’s new video “taken for a ride” features a Mercedes-Benz flag from 1:55 to 1:57! That is exactly two seconds of Mercedes-Benz advertisement on Range Rover Evoque’s YouTube video.
Anyway, with these new improvements of Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover states that they are more competitive than before. And Evoque feels fresher!


Photos Credits
Land Rover
Categories
Cars

The New Range Rover Sport // Larger Size Evoque

The new Range Rover Sport is revealed recently and I haven’t written about it. I know the new Range Rover Sport is on everywhere but I didn’t have any motivation to write about it. The main reason is the design similarity with the Range Rover Evoque. Evoque became the epic success of Land Rover and consequently, this financial success influenced the design philosophy of the upcoming Land Rover vehicles. That’s why Range Rover Sport looks like a larger size Evoque.
Personally I don’t like this type of design similarities among different vehicles in the same brand. However, the financial pressure to keep the momentum going causes this problem. Companies don’t want to lose their financially successful design philosophy. As a result of this, the new vehicles looks like previous vehicles. 
The new Range Rover Sport is 420-kg lighter than the preceding model and made from aluminium and it weights only 2.1-tonne! I consider as a great success. As a result of this diet, Range Rover Sport will a better handling and more competitive for the new BMW X5!
New Range Rover Sport is powered by two petrol and two diesel engines; 3-lt Supercharged V6 with 340 HP / 5-lt Supercharged V8 510 HP and 3-lt TDV6 258 HP / SDV6 292 HP / 4.4-lt 339 HP. All engines are coupled with 8-speed automatic gearbox.


Photos Credits
Land Rover
Categories
Cars

New Range Rover Sport Photos and Details

New Range Rover Sport, fat boy slim. Why I called the new Range Rover Sport, fat boy slim? Very simple! New Range Rover Sport looks exactly the same as Range Rover Evoque, despite the enlarged size Range Rover Sport is 420 kg lighter than predecessor model. Thus, fat boy slim definitely matches with the Range Rover Sport.
The press event of the Range Rover Sport was presented by the Daniel Craig, James Bond. And the presence of Daniel Craig cost $1 million to Land Rover!
So what is new with the New Range Rover Sport?
New Range Rover Sport is now half a tonne lighter than the predecessor, which is a very big improvement thanks to aluminium structure. Thus, the handling and driving experience are definitely improved. Another important improvement is the optional 5 + 2 seating. Unfortunately, Range Rover never offered 5 + 2 seating position and lost quite a bit of market share to its competitors. Now, 7 people can experience the agile and sporty character of the Range Rover Sport. Despite the improvements in agile character, Range Rover Sport does offer serious off road capabilities, thanks to new Terrain Response 2 system, off road driving is easier than before.
The engine offered by the Range Rover Sports are; two petrol engines, 5.0-litre 510PS V8 and the new 3.0-litre 340PS V6. Also, two diesel engines 3.0-litre 258PS TDV6 and 292PS SDV6. Moreover, 4.4-litre 339PS SDV8 diesel version will be available soon to compete with the BMW X5 / X6 M50d. All engines are coupled with 8-speed automatic gearbox. And also there will be a four-cylinder petrol engine will be available in future.
New Range Rover Sport offers head up display, traffic sign recognition and Wade Sensing technology, which enables vehicle to identify the depth of the water. These technologies are quite new to Range Rover, and I can see that Land Rover wishes to keep up with its competitors.
The interior is exactly the same as the Range Rover except the gear knob. Range Rover Sport offer Jaguar F-Type gear lever, which is way better. Literally, new Range Rover Sport is less utilitarian and more luxurious, unlike the predecessor model.
My personal opinion, new Range Rover Sport does look good and offers competitive technology with respectful level of luxury inside the cabin. And I am definitely sure that, new Range Rover Sport is really fun to drive and looks way better than before! However, it will be too early to say that it is the best SUV with sport character because we don’t have the new BMW X5 yet. Until that time, Range Rover Sport is the new king.


Pictures Copyrights
Land Rover
Categories
Fashion

What Car Katerina Stikoudi Drives?

Katerina Stikoudi, my favourite singer from Greece! Now I know what car she drive :)

I know I did not write about her for very long time. Actually, I should have written. Because, posts with Stikoudi makes a lot of traffic! You cannot even imagine. Stikoudi is a sensation and I hope to some videos of her on YouTube channel something like Kate Upton’s Cat Daddy video :)

Let’s go back to Katerina Stikoudi’s car. After a very long and comprehensive research I finally found out her car. Fortunately, Stikoudi doesn’t drive a pink Range Rover or a Bentley Continental GT again in pink. Actually, I really don’t like to see pink Bentleys or Range Rovers, they looks quite awkward.

Anyway, Katerina Stikoudi drives a BMW Z4 Roadster. I can hear your thoughts, BMW Z4 is not something extreme, however Z4 does still drive really nice and feels connected with the road. I think in 2006, I drove a 3-lt BMW Z4 and it was really really good for its price range and quite fun to drive. Of course, we live in 2013 and things have changed. Despite the passing years, BMW Z4 Roadster does not look that old.

Despite my all efforts, I couldn’t identify the exact age of Stikoudi’s Z4 but I am sure that it is pre-2009. You can see that air condition knob at the lower right end of the photo and that style belongs to Z4 Roadster before 2009. In 2009, the air condition elements received a new fresh design.

Actually, I am expecting to see Katerina Stikoudi in a Range Rover Evoque. In my opinion, she will definitely fit perfect with the Evoque. My personal opinion for Evoque is still the same, excellent car drive but still Evoque is the most expensive hand bag you can ever buy :) However, this does not prevent Stikoudi to buy one ;)

Also, her nails look stunning as well. I talked too much about the car but nothing about her nail :)

So, buy her album to upgrade her ride :) And now you can follow Katerina Stikoudi on Twitter (@stikoudikaterin). I think this her real Twitter account, there is no verified tick but the photos proof that the account is real.

And here some photos from her latest video clip.

Pictures’ Copyrights
Katerina Stikoudi
Categories
Cars

Range Rover Evoque vs. Infiniti FX30d

Range Rover Evoque vs. Infiniti FX30d. This comparison does sound a bit ridiculous, but they have on mutual point. The price tag! Infiniti EX30d is much bigger than the Evoque and Infiniti is targeted to a higher segment. Basically, comparing these two vehicles is not reasonable. However, their prices are bit similar!

Infiniti FX30d GT Premium model is powered by a 3-lt diesel engine with 238 HP and 550 Nm of torque coupled with 7-speed automatic gearbox. And only needs 8.3 seconds to reach 100 km/h with the top speed of 210 km/h. Infiniti FX30d features bi-xenon headlights, electric and memory seats, heated and ventilated seats, key-less access, surround camera, radar guided cruise control and the list goes.

Range Rover Evoque SD4 Prestige is powered by a 2.2-lt diesel engine with 190 HP and 420 Nm of torque coupled with 8-speed automatic gearbox. Similar to Infiniti, Evoque needs only 8 seconds to reach 100 km/h with the top speed of 195 km/h. The features are quite similar to Infiniti, except radar guided cruise control and ventilated seats (I really these two features). And Evoque is way smaller than FX and I consider the Evoque as the biggest designer handbag you can buy on market.

Let’s go back to price, Infiniti FX30d GT Premium is £54,000 and Range Rover Evoque SD4 Prestige is £49,000. The price gap between these cars is only £5000. If you find this very high, you can go for Infiniti EX30d and it will be cheaper than the Evoque. Unfortunately, Evoque is an expensive and becoming more popular on street, which leads to reduce exclusivity. Actually, Infiniti is not designed for European market and some of the interior bits may not charm you but, still Infiniti is a very well built and offers a very good vehicle for a very good price.

I know many people will not go for an Infiniti over a Range Rover, because that’s Range Rover. But Infiniti still deserves a chance.

This comparison is done for European market, other markets with heavy import duty on bigger engines is going to extend the price gap.

Pictures’ Copyrights
Infiniti
Categories
Lifestyle

A Real Limited Edition from Montblanc: Meisterstück L’Aubrac Limited Edition 8

Montblanc Masters for Meisterstück L’Aubrac Limited Edition 8, as you may guess from the name this pen is a limited edition, the £43,000 ($70,000 – €53,000) price may give you the impression of state-of-art exclusivity for the ownership. And you are right, Limited Edition 8 is only available to 8 pieces!

I know this sounds shocking, who is going to pay £43,000 just for a pen. For many people this is an ordinary pen, nothing really special or different than a Lamy. However, the reality is totally different. Montblanc has the engineering heritage for writing instruments, but still £43,000 sounds too much for a pen.

L’Aubrac Limited Edition 8 is covered or interpreted from ebony wood and carved with a three-dimensional pineapple pattern. Still not satisfying? A very challenging figure is created, a traditional Laguiole motif. Not finished yet! Each set is offered with a facet set of brilliant diamond and finally, only eight people can own this pen. I guess that’s enough for the price!

For many people, this pen is from another planet and that’s right. L’Aubrac Limited Edition 8 is for people who dedicated to write and have the financial strength to support their niche hobby. By the way, you may buy a brand new Range Rover Evoque for this price but it won’t be that exclusive.

And here some picture of the production stages of Meisterstück L’Aubrac Limited Edition 8.

Product code of Limited Edition 8 is 107551.

 
Pictures’ Copyrights
Montblanc
Categories
Cars

Range Rover Evoque vs. Mini Countryman

Range Rover Evoque vs. Mini Countryman. I should have written about them long time ago. But I didn’t and I really don’t know why. Last year, around these times, Land Rover revealed the Evoque and just before that, Mini revealed the Countryman.

Many people like me, assumed that Mini Countryman is going to be a rival for Evoque and they will eat their market share. However, this did not happen. Countryman has its own customers and Evoque has its own customers.

Since the beginning, Range Rover Evoque represented as a posh, show-off oriented and expensive. This strategy was good and was bad. Because, some people do not consume products that are too popular and perceived as a symbol of wealth. And some people love to consumer products that show their wealth.
However, with Mini Countryman things were a bit different. Mini did not engage with any celebrity or tried to promote Countryman as a something posh or show-off oriented. So, they did not turn into complete rivals.

But that is not the real reason. Evoque and Countryman have a huge gap among each other and that is called, price tag. A fully loaded Evoque can go up to £55,000 and Countryman can go up to £33,000. As you can see, there is a £22.000 of gap!

Honestly, I really love the design, driving experience of Range Rover Evoque and I would really want to own one. But £55.000 for a such a small car is too much from my perspective. And when I consider Mini Countryman for £33.000. It may be expensive but it is not that expensive. And also, Mini offers the same technology from BMW. With Countryman, you may order some of the features that are available in BMW. And that’s plus either.

I am not saying Evoque is not good or anything else but it is expensive. Actually, Evoque is targeted for people who will not say it is expensive.

In the end, Evoque and Countryman are really good cars. Evoque offers very good off road capabilities, Land Rover technology, high quality production and great design. Countryman offers off road ability, enjoyment of Mini, go-kart feeling, high quality and unique character. If I dismiss the price tag, just buy the one that matches with your personality. I think this is the best answer for the comparison.
Mini Countryman is offered with 1.6-lt petrol engine with 98 PS (One) / 122 PS (Cooper) / 184 PS (Cooper S); diesels are 1.6-lt  90 PS (One) / 112 PS (Cooper) and 2.0-lt 143 PS (Cooper S)

Range Rover Evoque is offered with 2.0-lt petrol engine with 240 PS and 2.2-lt diesel with 150 PS and 190 PS.

Pictures’ Copyrights
Mini and Land Rover