Land Rover plans larger Evoque 06 | 12 | 2011

IT PROBABLY SHOULD COME as no surprise, especially given its instant success: Land Rover is planning a bigger Range Rover Evoque.

According to insiders, the new plans will see Range Rover evolve into even more new niche areas. The growth plans have been further fuelled by the growing sales of rival BMW X and Audi Q models.

The new — let's call it 'Grand Evoque' — will sit neatly between the current Evoque and the Range Rover Sport.

It's worth highlighting here that when the new generation Range Rover Sport and Range Rover are launched, they will move further upmarket … and thus become more expensive, leaving a larger gap for the 'Grand Evoque' to fill.

Read our roadtest of the Range Rover Evoque

A quick check of the current price lists shows the least expensive Range Rover Sport is £55,000, while the most expensive Evoque will set you back £45k. That leaves a logical gap for the 'Grand Evoque' to sit nicely in the £35-£55k bracket.

Utilising the existing platform, the newcomer would benefit from new interior designing and space: that would primarily benefit rear passengers, an area where the current Evoque has been criticised. It's believed the new car could be extended by as much as 300mm.

A comprehensive range of powerplants will be available, including a twin-motor hybrid version.

The Grand Evoque is expected to be built at Halewood — alongside the current Evoque — and is most likely to go on sale across Scotland in 2015.

Watch our video of the Range Rover Evoque

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Jim McGill