Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
It was May 29, 2020, our last Friday under the government-imposed Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (M-ECQ). The government was about to implement General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and ease travel and work restrictions. Everybody was excited to have some semblance of normalcy back. On that day, my wife Shawie and I were excited for another reason – we were going to take delivery of a 2020 Range Rover Evoque D180 HSE R-Dynamic.
Footwear sanitizers and thermal scans are part of the new protocols that must be practiced to avoid the spread of the virus.
We arrived at the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) dealership along EDSA in Greenhills, San Juan City and were greeted at the entrance by a security officer who asked if we have an appointment. Upon getting confirmation and taking note of our names, we were asked to step inside into a foot bath to sanitize our footwear while another security officer took our thermal reading and sprayed our hands with sanitizing alcohol.
Shawie: “Easy on the alcohol, please. My hands are becoming dry because of it.” Guard: “No problem, Ma’am. We have moisturizing lotion available. Hehehe.”
Today’s New Reality
We can only guess that our names were taken not only for security measures (what with everyone wearing facemasks and all), but also for the contact tracing required by the government as part of the new business operating policies and procedures to avoid the further spread of the COVID-19 virus. We were impressed with the care and concern of the JLR dealership for its management, staff, and customers, like strictly following social distancing and providing a clear acrylic shield between front liners and customer. It seems alienating at first but we can only guess that this will be the “new reality” we will be faced with for the next few months.
Reception table has a clear acrylic shield between the dealership’s front liners and the customers for their mutual protection.
The furniture and equipment were rearranged to accommodate social distancing.
There’s ample space between sales personnel and customers…
The health of the dealership personnel are scanned and monitored regularly by the company nurse.
Anyhow, the sales personnel, who were all wearing facemasks and shields, were ready with the paperwork and upon completion of all the requirements, guided us to our new Evoque. Our assigned sales person demonstrated the various features of the vehicle, reminded us to have it service for maintenance every 24 months or 34,000 kilometers, whichever comes first, and explained the 5-year or 130,000-kilometer Land Rover Care service plan that covers all the costs of scheduled services including labor, parts and oil.
Sales people wear masks and face shields when transacting with their customers…
… even security guards wear protective gear when helping release the vehicles.
Inside the sanitized vehicle interior, the sales person explains the features of the vehicle while conscious of the health and safety protocols.
Vehicles driving in and out of the dealership are required to pass over these sanitizing mats.
Attractive Inside and Out
Our Fuji White 180D HSE R-Dynamic is a top-of-the line Evoque variant and came decked with blacked-out trim to match the 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels shod in 235/50R20 Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires. Its LED headlights with automatic high beam accentuate the Evoque’s attractively modern design while the flush surfaces accentuate the attention-to-detail and emphasis on aerodynamics. Shawie and our daughter Vette loves the door handles that retract flush into the door when locked while our son Chevy and I like the combination of the compact SUV body and the big wheels. We all agree that it’s an attractive compact SUV with an outstanding pedigree.
Inside, passenger space feels generous enough to fit five average-sized Filipinos comfortably. The sleek interior mixes the traditional Range Rover chunkiness with modern technology. The driver faces a thickly padded 4-spoke steering wheel and an LCD instrument panel that displays the traditional round tachometer and speedometer with a screen in between that shows the satellite navigation map. Our Evoque is equipped with the Touch Pro Duo system features two touch screens – the one in the middle of the dashboard manages the infotainment system while the second screen below it manages climate control and other functions.
Compact and Safe
While luxury abounds in the interior with the electric front seats, leather trim, dual-zone climate control, Meridian audio system, the Evoque is equipped to make driving easier with paddle shifters, reversing camera, around view cameras, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, Drive Pack (adaptive cruise, blind spot detection, high-speed AEB), Park Pack (clear exit detection, rear cross traffic alert, park assist), keyless entry and start, ambient lighting, Clear Sight ground view, which shows the terrain beneath the driver’s point-of-view, and Clear Sight rear view mirror, which shows a high resolution view behind the vehicle when backseat passengers or cargo obstruct the mirror.
A powered tailgate with a smart sensor opens to a rear load space that can accommodate 472 liters of cargo with the 40/20/40 back seat upright and 1,156 liters when the rear seat back is folded. There’s over a meter between the wheel arches to allow loading of slightly bulky items, which is the reason for having a sport utility vehicle, even if it’s a compact one. To ensure the safety of its occupants, the Evoque comes with six airbags, pedestrian airbag, ABS, stability and traction controls, automatic emergency brakes (AEB) with pedestrian detection, rollover stability, hill descent control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, speed zone recognition and driver fatigue warning. There are also two ISOFIX anchors and three top-tether points for child seats.
Ideal for Philippine Roads
The 2.0-liter Ingenium D180 diesel engine produces 178 horses and 430 Newton-meters of torque that is handled by a 9-speed automatic transmission and delivered to an all-wheel drive system with an electronic rear differential. The factory claims that this compact Range Rover can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 9.3 seconds, tow 2,000 kilograms, and return 17.5 kilometers per liter. Shawie drove it extensively around Metro Manila with crawling traffic in some areas and she still averaged around 13 km/L. With 210mm of ground clearance and a wading depth of 600mm, we’re confident that the Evoque can conquer the toughest roads during flood season here in the good, old Philippines.
During her drive, Shawie found the steering of the Evoque light and easy to maneuver, the diesel engine economical and quiet, the acceleration quick, and the handling nimble. She found the ride comfortable enough and the size just right. It’s a lot more expensive compared to Japanese, Korean or Chinese compact SUVs in the market today but Shawie understands that “you get what you paid for”. She likes the Evoque so much that she now claims it as “her car”.
True to Its Slogan
But Shawie’s best experience with the Evoque was when she drove to the Wilcon Builders Center along EDSA on a weekend to get some paint and supplies. She was surprised how other drivers have suddenly become unusually extra courteous to her on the road and how the security guards at the store were extra helpful. She thought that it was just the humbling effect of the 2 ½ month quarantine period.
But then again, it must be the white 2020 Range Rover Evoque D180 HSE R-Dynamic that she was driving. After all, the marketing slogan of Land Rover for the Evoque is “Time to Make a Statement” and a statement is what this British compact SUV makes, whether you’re aware of it or not, whether you’re flaunting it or not. It may be compact, but it makes a really strong statement.
To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Range Rover, All British Cars, Inc., the Philippine distributor of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), is making the range of models more accessible to enthusiasts. For a limited time, the prices of some specific Range Rover units were adjusted to commemorate the special occasion. There’s an available Indus Silver 2020 Range Rover Evoque SE 2.0 Diesel that price of which has gone down from P5,430,000 to P4,730,000.
Specifications
Price: Starting from P5,290,000.00
Classification: 5-door compact SUV
Engine type: Ingenium liquid-cooled inline-4 turbocharged diesel
Capacity: 1999 cc
Maximum power: 180 PS (178 hp) @ 4000 rpm
Maximum torque: 430 Nm @ 1750 – 2500 rpm
Transmission 9-speed Automatic
Length: 4371 mm
Width: 1996 mm
Height: 1649 mm
Wheelbase: 2681 mm
Curb weight: 1891 kg
Ground clearance: 210 mm
Approach angle: 19.5°
Departure angle: 30.6°
Ramp Angle: 20.7°
Turning radius: 11.6 m
Maximum wading depth: 600 mm
Fuel tank capacity: 65 liters
Acceleration: 9.3 secs
Maximum speed: 205 km/h
Maximum load space volume behind 1st row – 1,156 liters
Maximum load space volume behind 2nd row – 472 liters
Contact Details
Jaguar Land Rover Philippines
All British Cars, Inc.
1008 Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA),
Greenhills, San Juan City, 1502 Metro Manila
Phone: (+632) 8784 5000
