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.
Photo Credit // Land Rover