Next-gen Range Rover Evoque arrives in 2024 on Electric-first platform [Update]

Update: ‘Full electrification benefits’ sub-section added to ‘Platform & Specifications’ and ‘Evoque popularity slide in 2022’ section updated.

The Mk2 Range Rover Evoque was introduced in late 2018, and as per a report from Autocar filed in May 2021, the third-gen Evoque will succeed it in 2024. As part of the ‘Reimagine’ global strategy, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has confirmed that it will be electric-ready, meaning that customers will be able to drive a Range Rover Evoque Electric in the foreseeable future.

Platform & Specifications

JLR is developing a new platform called ‘Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA).’ The native BEV or a pure-electric biased platform will also support advanced electrified internal combustion engines. At the 2021 Investor Day in March 2021, JLR revealed that the new Evoque and Discovery Sport are among the cars planned on this base. It disclosed that the first model based on this platform is scheduled to arrive in 2024 and that, as stated above, it will be the next-gen Evoque.

By July 2022, the EMA platform was moving through its engineering approval process, JLR CFO Adrian Mardell told investors during a conference call that month, as per a report Autocar published on September 21, 2022. In JLR’s words, this platform, “born from an obsession with simplicity,” will allow using batteries of various shapes and chemistries. This may give the company a lot of flexibility and offer multiple configurations as per the range and performance requirements of customers in different markets.

Flat floor & 800V capability

The EMA platform will feature a flat floor that maximizes cabin space and come with in-house developed electric drive units (EDUs) that deliver 92% efficiency. The EDUs will be 800V capable and also the most torque dense in the class. JLR estimates their energy efficiency to be 4-4.5 miles/kWh, which would improve greatly on the I-Pace’s energy efficiency ratings. For reference, the I-Pace has an energy efficiency rating of 35.4-40.5 kWh/100 miles (2.4-2.8 miles/kWh) in both EV320 and EV400 variants, as per Europe’s WLTP. Expect the electric Evoque to offer plenty of space, with short wait times at the charging station, and competitive range figures.

Full electrification benefits

There are many ways in which the Range Rover Evoque Electric will be superior to the gasoline powered version. A noise-free electric powertrain would make driving more enjoyable for customers. Furthermore, the flat floor would provide more passenger and storage space, which would improve comfort and functionality.

In addition to the default benefits of the Evoque’s compact dimensions, the torquey nature of an electric powertrain would make the zero-emission SUV an even better urban runabout. Moreover, if you enjoy off-road driving, it should provide more capability.

Battery production

A report from Financial Times suggests that JLR could source batteries for the Range Rover Evoque EV from Envision AESC, which already plans to set up a new battery manufacturing plant in the UK. To be built in Sunderland, the British plant will serve Nissan.

Should JLR and Envision AESC also work out a deal for battery supply, JLR’s potential volumes may warrant another battery plant in the UK. JLR wants batteries sourced from a local factory, but production sites in Spain and Hungary, where the costs could be lower, are also under consideration, it is reported. Neither JLR nor Envision AESC has confirmed talks about a battery supply deal.

Unique design proportions

On January 31, 2022, former Jaguar Land Rover CEO Thierry Bollore briefly talked about the EMA platform during the parent company’s Q3 FY22 earnings conference call. He said that JLR is developing the platform because, like the MLA, it will allow designing cars with unique proportions and capabilities.

The MLA platform – it’s a unique platform. It’s a platform which is bringing (not only) all this proportion that you can see on our cars, but also all the extraordinary capabilities which make them completely unique. And that’s a differentiation that we continuously want to enhance. So the consequence is that we are creating at the moment (as) we speak the new EMA platform, because it’s going to bring a unique proportion and capabilities to the cars that we’re going to manufacture.

Thierry Bollore, former CEO, Jaguar Land Rover (Tata Motors Q3 FY22 earnings conference call on January 31, 2022)

Price & Positioning of the 2024 Range Rover Evoque

The Autocar report says that the next-gen Evoque (and the next-gen Discovery Sport) will have a higher entry pricing. At the time of reporting, the base price of the Evoque started at USD 46,400 in the USA and GBP 34,010 in the UK. A part of the price hike will be owing to the high cost of electrification. The British publication speculated a base price close to GBP 40,000 (20.6% higher) for the 2024 Evoque in the UK.

While the higher price would communicate its premium positioning over German rivals, only revolutionary changes would justify the increase in the eyes of the customer.

Production

According to Autocar, production of the next-gen Range Rover Evoque will take place at Land Rover’s Halewood manufacturing plant in Liverpool, UK, the same facility responsible for the first- and second-gen models. JLR has started the groundwork to make the factory compatible with EMA platform-based EVs by beginning the tendering process. There will be a shutdown for an extended period to complete the conversion in 2024, the same year the first EMA platform-based model is officially scheduled to arrive.

2024 Range Rover Evoque part of ‘Reimagine’ strategy

JLR plans to come out with six Land Rover BEVs by 2026 and estimates 60% of its sales to come from BEVs by 2030. With the Range Rover Evoque, one of its top three best-selling Land Rovers, offering it in a pure electric powertrain in the next generation was always on the cards.

It won’t surprise us if the 2024 Range Rover Evoque turns out to be a BEV-only model. That decision could depend on the pace of electrification in the model’s key markets around the world in the next three years. If that’s not feasible, the all-new Evoque range could comprise a range-extender variant with a lean-burn engine besides pure electric variants. The Range Rover Evoque EV would rival the BMW iX2 and the Volvo C40.

Evoque popularity slides in 2022

In 2022, a year that was marred by supply chain challenges, sales of the Range Rover Evoque dipped. With 54,177 units delivered (retail), global sales were down 14.5% from 2021 (63,398 units). Wholesale figures similarly declined by 13.3% year-over-year to 39,988 units (2021: 46,123 units). Jaguar Land Rover hasn’t released country-specific sales data, meaning we can’t provide a picture of how the Evoque is performing in the U.S., although it’s safe to assume that shipments were down here, too.

TopElectricSUV says

Electric or combustion-engined, the Range Rover Evoque is about clean, reductive, and charming design. The first-gen Evoque was distinguished by its coupe-like sloping roofline and rising beltline, which is no more a novelty, The global car market is awash with coupe-SUVs, and a streamlined body is a prerequisite in EV design. So will Gerry McGovern and his designers simply add refinement and sophistication to the original formula? We certainly hope that there’s more to the third-gen Evoque!

Featured Image Source: Jaguar Land Rover