Land Rover Evoque Goes Topless

Land Rover has won the hearts and changed the minds of many jaded auto journalists at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show with the new Range Rover Evoque convertible concept. This is no Nissan Murano soft-top.

The black metallic model has been permanently surrounded by people during press days, and the reaction has been almost unanimously positive.

What is it? The world’s first soft-top Range Rover Evoque. If you think such a concept sounds odd, wait until you see it. No two ways about it, this open-top crossover SUV really works. The reaction to it here at Geneva is proof enough of that.

What’s hot? Adding a fold-flat soft-top to the 3-door Range Rover Evoque has created an uncommonly elegant machine. The clean lines and sit-up stance give a really premium open-top experience: It’s as if the Evoque was designed to take a soft-top from the very start.

What’s not? Some still question the need for a soft-top crossover SUV, but they’re in the minority here at Geneva. The more pressing concern is the fact people can’t yet buy it.

How much and when? Land Rover says this concept is being shown here to test the mood for such a model. It’s so positive that we’d say production is virtually guaranteed. Expect it on sale within two years, with prices starting from around $55,000.

Anything else I should know? This is not the world’s first soft-top crossover: Nissan designed a convertible version of its Murano a few years ago. The reaction to that was muted, if not universally negative. No such worries for Land Rover with the Evoque convertible. It is based on the Evoque coupe and has a drop-down tailgate, a cue first seen on the original 1970 Range Rover.

For more information on Land Rover Evoque, email: [email protected]