Land Rover's Rookie Hits a Home Run with April Sales

PEABODY, MASS. (05/09/2012)(readMedia)-- As the baseball season kicked off last month, the 2012 Range Rover Evoque continued its rookie-of-the-year campaign at Land Rover dealers, selling 806 units in the United States. The 2012 North American Truck of the Year helped Land Rover's U.S. sales rise 10 percent in April year-over-year, and they are now up 24 percent year-to-date compared to the same period last year.

While Land Rover's volume leader in April was the Range Rover Sport, with 1,199 units sold, the Range Rover Evoque continues to grow in popularity following its debut last October. As the smallest and most fuel-efficient Land Rover model, the Evoque is better suited than its brethren for the city's narrow streets and stop-and-go traffic, yet it still features the all-conditions capability expected from the brand.

"You'd be hard-pressed to find another vehicle that can navigate a city as smoothly, get 28 mpg on the highway and still have the ability to tackle off-road terrain," said Dave Edwards, general manager of Greater Boston Range Rover dealership Land Rover Peabody. "With that kind of versatility, it is no surprise that the vehicle is selling well. On the outside, the Evoque's styling fits right in alongside modern city architecture, but it is without question a Range Rover."

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque achieves its fuel economy through the mating of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. Land Rover also ensured that the small SUV is adept at driving in sand, mud and snow, outfitting the vehicle with the brand's Terrain Response system. The Evoque can also wade in water up to 19.7 inches deep and tackle approach and departure angles up to 25 and 33 degrees, respectively.

Building upon the new compact SUV's cutting-edge styling, the Range Rover Evoque Special Edition was unveiled last month at the Beijing Auto Show. Conceptualized by modern fashion designer and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, the Evoque Special Edition features hand-finished matte-gray exterior paint, a rose-gold-accented grille, Santorini gloss-black exterior accents and semi-aniline leather seats.

Inside, the Evoque Special Edition's mohair floor mats and microsuede headlining complement more rose-gold accents and textured aluminum trim. Only 200 of the special-edition Evoques will be produced for sale worldwide, making them more likely to be collector's items than outdoor warriors. Even when their vehicles are garaged, however, owners of the Range Rover Evoque Special Edition will be able to take a little piece of luxury with them, as each comes with a four-piece leather luggage set.

"Victoria Beckham took the solid foundation of the regular Evoque coupe and gave it a feminine edge without turning it girly or gaudy," added Edwards. "It takes a lot to build a small SUV that still delivers rugged capability, and only Land Rover can do it with such understated luxury."

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 978-535-9200.