How open will Kiwis be to the concept of a convertible Range Rover? It’s here to test that interest.

ARRIVAL of the Evoque derivative promised to be a Range Rover for all-year use regardless of its open air attitude has timed for seasonal change.

The Evoque Convertible – billed as the world’s first luxury compact SUV convertible – costs $118,000.

The four-seater fabric-roofed crossover offers with the same engine and specification choices as per the regular Evoque five-door wagon and three-door coupe range, but New Zealand’s distributor has elected for just one version, an Si4 petrol with the 177kW/340Nm 2.0-litre Ingenium petrol and top-shelf HSE Dynamic trim.

The same model in hardtop form is a $101,000 ask.

Motorcorp Distributors, the Land Rover agent, has signaled that it has sold 80 Evoques to date this year.

It would not be drawn on what impact it expects the model billed as “the most capable all-terrain convertible in the world” would have on that volume.

The model’s arrival times well with Spring starting on September 1; warmer weather to come obviously offers better opportunity to demonstrate the longest and widest fabric roof currently fitted to any vehicle on sale today.

Despite its size, the lid is said to be lightweight and well-insulated. It uses a fully automated Z-fold mechanism to stow, sitting flush with the rear bodywork, in a claimed 18 seconds at speeds up to 50kmh. Raising the roof takes an extra three seconds.

Jaguar Land Rover promises space for four adults while providing a 251-litre boot and access to the luggage compartment via a ski-port.

The derivative also introduces to Evoque InControl Touch Pro, the hi-res 10.2-inch touchscreen with JLR’s next-generation infotainment system that debuted in the local market with the Jaguar F-Pace.

A rollover protection device comprising deployable rollover bars buried in the rear bodywork has also been developed for the vehicle, deploying two aluminium bars within a claimed 90 milliseconds in the event of a crash.

The drivetrain includes a nine-speed automatic transmission and Land Rover’s Terrain Response all-wheel-drive system.

Meantime, announcement that Range Rover Sport is to adopt the 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel will have no immediate impact on this market, the distributor says.

“The engine is not available to certain markets for specific models due to these supply constraints. Range Rover Sport in New Zealand fits into this category,” says Paul Ricketts, product and capability manager.

“The segment that the Range Rover Sport competes in traditionally favours V6 and V8 diesel in New Zealand.

“We do not have any indication when it will be made available to us … but as soon as it is we will look into the feasibility within the New Zealand market.”