Boosted by the Evoque, Land Rover's Sales Climb 15 Percent in 2012

PEABODY, MASS. (01/16/2013)(readMedia)-- Once again, the Range Rover Sport was Land Rover's best seller in 2012, but this time a new model took the number-two spot: the Range Rover Evoque. In its first full year on the market, the compact crossover SUV sold 8,901 units, helping the luxury auto brand's overall U.S. sales rise by 15 percent compared to 2011.

The Range Rover Evoque finished off 2012 on a strong note in December, moving 1,117 units for a 48-percent increase year-over-year. As the smallest, lightest and most fuel-efficient Range Rover ever produced, the Evoque also represents a new styling direction for the brand, featuring modern touches like an ascending beltline and descending roofline as well as contrasting roof colors. The model's combination of style and capability has made it popular among consumers and critics alike, with the Evoque earning more than 120 awards internationally since its debut.

"There are two things that really set the Evoque apart from its compact luxury competitors: its stunning looks and its ability to still get dirty in the trenches when it needs to," said Dave Edwards, general manager of Land Rover Peabody, a Range Rover dealer in Massachusetts. "The Evoque may be lightweight and easy on the eyes, but it still features Land Rover's revered Terrain Response system and a wading depth of nearly 20 inches, so it's fully prepared for a last-minute detour into the unknown."

The success of the Evoque has already started to influence the rest of the Land Rover lineup, with the redesigned 2013 Range Rover arriving last month with a similarly sloping roofline and swept-back headlights. To achieve impressive weight savings of its own, the new Range Rover uses the first-ever application of an all-aluminum unibody frame on an SUV, allowing it to drop about 700 pounds compared to its predecessor. Buyers appear to be responding positively to those changes, as the new model sold 654 units in its less than three weeks on sale in December, helping to boost Range Rover sales by 7 percent over the same month in 2011.

Another of Land Rover's models, the LR2, has received the Evoque's turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for the 2013 model year, increasing fuel economy by 13 percent in the city and 9 percent on the highway compared to the outgoing model. Despite the downsize from a six-cylinder to a four-cylinder, the 2013 Land Rover LR2 outputs 10 more horsepower and 16 more pound-feet of torque, totaling 240 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. The new engine is also 88 pounds lighter than the prior powerplant.

"Across its lineup, Land Rover is finding innovative ways to meet buyers' demands for improved fuel economy without diminishing the brand's go-anywhere, bring-anything reputation," added Edwards. "Whether it is because of the Range Rover's lightweight-yet-sturdy aluminum frame or the powerful-yet-efficient engine shared by the Evoque and LR2, Land Rover customers are getting more miles per gallon in the city, on the highway and off the beaten path."

About Land Rover Peabody

Land Rover Peabody is home to a remarkable group of off-road enthusiasts who know exactly what their customers expect in Land Rover sales and service. They're proud to offer the latest Land Rover models, as well as unparalleled Land Rover service and OEM parts, and they invite new customers to take a test-drive on their unique demonstration course to experience Land Rover performance firsthand. Browse their selection online at www.roverpeabody.com, visit the showroom at 247 Newbury St. in Peabody, Massachusetts, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/landroverpeabody or call them at 888-472-4137.