Showtime for Evoque soft-top

Land Rover Evoque concept. Photo / Supplied

Land Rover is calling its soft-top Evoque a "concept only" as it prepares to unveil it at the Geneva motor show next Tuesday.

But the vehicle is actually close to production because the four-wheel-drive specialist has already developed a roll-over protection system for it.

The system is much the same everywhere: stainless-steel hoops behind the four seats instantly pop up above head level if sensors detect the the vehicle is about to turn turtle.
Land Rover is expected to announce within a month when the Evoque convertible will go into production. It first wants to gauge public reaction at Geneva.

The drop-top was developed under the guidance of Land Rover design director Gerry McGovern, who has called it "the world's first premium convertible SUV".

Land Rover does not regard the left-hand-drive-only Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet as being in the same class. The Nissan went on sale in the US last year.

The Evoque concept is based on the three-door Evoque coupe, which went on sale in New Zealand late last year. It features a fully retractable roof and drop-down tailgate. Land Rover says that despite losing the rigidity that comes with a solid roof, the soft-top will be just as good on and off-road as the standard model.

"The Evoque lends itself beautifully to the idea of a convertible," McGovern said. "This study is not a traditional convertible design execution - instead we have worked with the balance of the Evoque's lines to retain its distinctive shape and create something that is unique and, we believe, highly desirable."

He said the Evoque's distinctive rising waistline and shape have been retained, with the roof housed in a neat tapered finisher and the mechanism stowed below the belt-line.

The concept rides on 21-inch Titan silver wheels and is finished in metallic Causeway Grey paint.

Land Rover global brand director John Edwards said the company was excited to see the response to the concept.

"The Evoque Convertible Concept is a new twist to the Evoque story and explores the potential to further extend the nameplate's appeal by giving existing customers more choice, while at the same time reaching out to a new customer base."