14 STARS FOR 3 SUVS

Euro NCAP's fifth and last launch of 2011 presents the results for fourteen new cars including 3 4x4 SUVs. Jeep Grand Cherokee achieved four stars, while the Range Rover Evoque and Subaru XV were awarded the top safety rating of five stars.

The Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) safety performance test is the industry standard across the continent and one of the most rigorous programmes in the world. As part of Euro NCAP Advanced's mission to reward advanced systems, the safety organization has assessed a number of new technologies offered on recently tested models.

The latest crossover vehicle from the Japanese All-Wheel-Drive specialists scored particularly highly in the occupant protection category and was praised for its full complement of safety equipment. The XV benefits from Subaru’s symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system, as well as the introduction of an advanced impact energy relay structure, ensuring the driver and passengers are well-protected in the event of a collision.  This modern design makes use of high-tensile steel to improve safety and reduce weight throughout the car.

Dual front and side airbags are also standard, with driver’s knee, curtain and torso airbags ensuring the car scored maximum points for side protection. VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control – Subaru’s version of ESP), which provides greater stability through the use of sensors throughout the AWD system, is also provided as standard across the XV model range.

The Range Rover Evoque with a five-star overall safety rating scored 86% in the adult occupant tests, 75% in child occupant tests, 41% in pedestrian safety tests, and 86% on the ‘safety assist’ portion of the review.

The only 4 star rated SUV, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, in the event of a frontal impact, the driver's inboard seat rail broke nearly into two parts and was mainly held together by the threaded steel rod controlling fore-aft adjustment of the seat. The break occurred just at the point where the lower anchorage for the driver's seat belt attaches to the rail, and experts assume that the cause were the high tensile forces in the belt during the test. As a result, there was additional forward movement of the dummy which contributed to 'bottoming out' of the airbag i.e. there was insufficient pressure in the airbag to prevent the driver's head from making contact, through the fabric of the airbag, with the steering wheel rim,” Euro NCAP says. Additionally during the frontal impact, the child dummy representing a three year old  did not move forward excessively. However, on rebound, the dummy's head contacted the trim on the rear door pillar and the car lost all points for protection in that test.

REFINEMENTS FOR RANGE ROVER EVOQUE

STARTECH, a BRABUS Group company, refines the new Range Rover Evoque with a sporty-elegant design program, which celebrates its world debut at the 2011 Dubai International Motor Show.

For the three-door and five-door Evoque the STARTECH designers have developed a styling program designed predominantly for on-road operation. It lends the newcomer even more carlike character. All body components are manufactured in OEM quality from high-grade Pur-R-Rim plastics. The product lineup also includes custom-tailored 21-inch forged wheels, a ride-height lowering by 35 millimeters (1.4 in.), a sport exhaust system and high-class interior options. Additional innovative products such as for example engine tuning are currently under development. The performance kit for the 2.0-liter SI4 gasoline engine that normally produces 240hp (176.6 kW) is already in the final stages of development.

For this purpose new fasciae were shaped for the front and rear that replace the production bumpers in their entirety. The shape was fine-tuned in the wind tunnel to further reduce lift on the front axle, which benefits directional stability at high speeds. The new rear fascia impresses with more than just an integrated diffuser, it also features distinctive tailpipes that can be combined with the production exhaust or with the STARTECH stainless-steel rear muffler.

Another focus of the refinement program is on the interior. The program comprises attractive accessories such as an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel and aluminum pedals, foot rest and shifter. The finest leather and Alcantara can be transformed into a tasteful cockpit in any desired color and with any upholstery design. The perfect complements are wood or carbon-fiber trim sets in any desired color and with a wide variety of surface finishes. The resulting overall ambiance is either extremely luxurious or markedly sporty depending on customer preference. The show car for Dubai sports an all-leather interior of especially soft and breathable black and white leather, sets itself further apart with diamond-shaped precision topstitching.

COUPE STYLE WITH FAMILY VERSATILITY

The 5-door version of the all-new Range Rover Evoque makes its global public debut at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 17, 2010. With its stylish and sporting appearance, enhanced by extra practicality and greater family appeal, the 5-door Range Rover Evoque joins the stunning coupé model, debuted at Paris Motor Show on September 30.

Like the coupé, the 5-door Evoque remains faithful to the spirit of the Land Rover LRX concept car, but also stays true to the core values of the Range Rover brand, providing premium levels of luxury, performance and renowned Land Rover all-terrain capability.

Measuring 30mm taller than the coupé model, the 5-door cabin adds further space and versatility. Rear seat passengers benefit from over 50mm more shoulder room, along with generous headroom. The rear seats, with seat belts and head restraints for three passengers, have 60/40 folding seat squabs and are equipped with ISOFIX child seat mounts. When required, luggage capacity can be expanded to a substantial 1445 litres.

The 5-door Range Rover Evoque shares its turbocharged powertrain line-up with the Coupé model. Customers can choose between two comprehensively updated 2.2-litre turbodiesel derivatives, with 190hp or 150hp. A new 240hp, 2.0-litre Si4 petrol engine combines direct fuel injection, turbocharging and twin variable valve timing for exceptional driveability and fuel efficiency.

TEST AS MARKETING CAMPAIGN

The all-new Range Rover Evoque has entered its final phase of testing, with hundreds of prototype models dispatched around the globe for trial in the toughest climates and conditions. Hundreds of pre-production cars that will be rigorously evaluated over millions of miles to ensure the new Range Rover Evoque surpasses the highest standards of quality and reliability when it goes on sale in summer 2011. Teams of engineers will travel to 20 countries to pit the Range Rover Evoque against the most extreme conditions on earth, ranging from the Arctic to the desert, from German Autobahns to Tokyo city traffic.

Ordinarily prototypes are disguised for discretion, but  Land Rover is making no secret of the operation - its design team has fitted ten prototypes with funky camouflage wraps, to introduce the new car in ten key cities worldwide.

The funky camouflage imagery is actually a GPS mapping trail of ten key cities for Evoque, with each vehicle saying ‘Hello’ to its city: London, New York, Sao Paulo, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Berlin, Sydney, Shanghai and Moscow.