Land Rover 110 Interior Dimensions

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque First »

When the original Range Rover was launched back in 1970, Land Rover's chief engineer, Tom Barton, demanded vinyl seats and a rubber floor so you could hose out the cabin when it got muddy. He allowed a trace of carpet but that was only to dampen down the whine from the gearbox.

Imagine what Barton would think of the new 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. Here is a Range Rover built for trendy urbanites that'll be offered with an interior designed by Victoria Beckham. It's a conscious attempt to cash in on the appeal of compact crossovers and to give Land Rover a relevancy in a world more obsessed by appearances and exhaust emissions than off-road prowess.

Its pre-sale hype alone is indicative of its mission. First unveiled as the LRX Concept at the Detroit auto show in January 2008, there have been technical presentations, celebrity galas and even wireframe statues posing as art. But now, at long last, we've had the opportunity to drive it. And not just around the block, but from Land Rover's headquarters in Gaydon all the way into the heart of Ireland.

About That Name There is a price to pay for such proportions, at least in the coupe we drove. Anyone expecting to fit comfortably in the rear of an Evoque is going to be disappointed. Although there's more headroom in the back of the two-door Evoque than you might expect, the shallow side windows won't please the claustrophobic and the legroom is no more than adequate.

The five-door, which is 1.2 inches taller and has a flatter roof line, is significantly more passenger-friendly and is really the only choice for families. Opting for the panoramic glass roof also helps improve the feeling of space.

Those in the front have a much better time. Sometime around the face-lift of the Range Rover Sport, Land Rover discovered how to do interiors. More welcoming than the cockpits of its German rivals, the Evoque's fascia wraps around the driver and offers a neat mix of leather, wood, aluminum and high-grade plastics. Inside, the Evoque feels like a proper Range Rover.

Most of the major functions are controlled through an 8-inch touchscreen. It's a tweaked version of the system found in the Jaguar XF and works well. Another feature pinched from Land Rover's sister brand is the rotary gearknob that emerges from the center console when you start the Evoque. It could be lampooned as a gimmick, but it's a bit of street theatre that suits the Evoque's character.

Top Sports Cars pic: Land Rower Defender Photos

The Land Rover Defender is hardly a rarity, having sold almost 2 million vehicles worldwide, and is something of a “Renaissance vehicle,” serving in such diverse industries as agriculture and commercial delivery. Some 15,000 of its “Wolf” militarized variant serve in today’s British Army. In an on- or off-road urban setting, however, the Defender is now looking to be the comfortable SUV for drivers who still like things a bit hardcore. When Land Rover expanded its lineup in 1990, the Defender name was chosen for a model line that would evolve into a luxury “sport-ute” brand. The 4×4 purists liked the 2007 remodeling that retained the iconic “moving fortress” look instead of yielding to a new-age design. The Defender is sold in three wheelbase lengths, and its brawny ladder-frame chassis carries five different body styles. In Europe, 51% of all vehicles sold are diesels. The 2007 engine upgrade brought in a five-cylinder, common-rail 2.4-litre turbo-diesel from Ford Europe to power this Defender. Producing a modest 120 horsepower, the Land Rover Defender’s ample torque is where it gets its grunt, producing 265 lb-ft between 2200 and 4350 rpm. Combined with locking differential and a two-speed transfer case, the six-speed transmission delivers the power seamlessly. Besides the engine, other 2007 upgrades began the still-ongoing refinement of the Land Rover Defender’s interior. Judging solely on interior quality, this model is surely not a Range Rover, not even an entry-level LR3. However, the cleanly redesigned dash hints with its pair of new circular vents that an improved HVAC system is on board. Okay, so the Defender can now keep you comfortable in the rough terrain. But is it practical for the city? With 90-inch and 110-inch wheelbases, the latest Defender is the ultimate 4x4 or wagon. The compact 90 has seating for four, while the 110 can be equipped with either five or seven seats. A Defender can accommodate as many as seven adults in comfort, with each person enjoying ample leg and shoulder room. Rubber floor mats are easily washed, and storage compartments make the Land Rover Defender very practical and functional vehicle. A CD unit, and MP3 and iPod compatibility make the outback journey a pleasurable one. The seats are supportive and comfortable. I could imagine the new Land Rover Defender to be driven in the hands of a hairy chested bush-basher.

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