It was a truly awesome experience driving in the dark, writes Trish Whelan, through an old disused tunnel that runs far below the city of Liverpool as part of the Land Rover Evoque launch in that city.
This was one of the outstanding offroad events staged for Day 2 of the launch of the Evoque, the smallest and lightest model in the range, but a true 4x4 with Range Rover's DNA stamped all over it.
Wapping or Edge Hill Tunnel was opened in 1830 to allow goods services to operate between Liverpool docks and Manchester as part of the planned Liverpool and Manchester Railway. It was the first tunnel in the world to be bored under a city. With a brick roof, the tunnel is 2,111 yards long (or 2,030 metres) long. It was extremely well hidden from view as we drove down a new opening from a street, through dense scrub.
A Land Rover Experience instructor briefed us as to what lay ahead and how best to prepare the car as we entered into the darkness.
This, he said, was the first ever underwater tunnel. A place that would scare the living daylights out of most people but we were in safe hands. Mud, ruts, small boulders and a long stretch of deep water around 2.5 metres in depth had to be tackled. And yes, the adrenaline flowed by the bucket load. Another instructor, mid way through, advised on how best to tackle the big water hazard advising to 'keep up with the bow wave'.
A welcome spec of brightness in the distance heralded the end of the tunnel, and a return to daylight.
Our next 'trial' was off-road in Liverpool's Albert Dock! On a floating test track specially built by Land Rover. Hundreds of spectators lined the dock, presumably with the hope that an unlucky journalist would go 'in off' and end up having to be rescued. As my turn approached, I was guided down a steep steel slope onto a floating ramp, with two steps hidden underwater at the end before the deep water section. The rest was fun, with a big bow wave in front before I exited up the far ramp and back on to dry land.
Over the two days of the launch event, I'd driven both diesel and petrol versions and was very happy with both engines. A petrol 2.0 210bhp will be available only as a special order in Ireland due to the high tax band, whereas the 2.2 TD4 150 and the SD4 190bhp diesels, in lower tax bands, are expected to account for most sales here.
Evoque is a compact sports SUV with bags of agility, space and performance with luxurious comfort whether on or off the road. It was formerly known as the LRX Concept back in early 2008 and the production car has remained faithful in looks to that stunning concept.
On the road, the car certainly has an imposing presence and at 4,355mm long, is a massive 430mm shorter than the Range Rover Sport, and with its dramatic coupe roofline even the 5-door model is 150mm lower. Its compact size has helped engineers minimise its weight, improve the aerodynamic performance and reduce the quantity of materials required to produce it.
Inside, everything has a premium look and feel and an enormous panoramic roof adds to the brightness in the cabin.
You sit up high with a commanding driving position, retaining Range Rover's elevated seating position with a cockpit-like feel. There's surprising headroom behind which is 40mm greater than BMW 3-series coupe. The 5-door even exceeds Range Rover Sports rear headroom by 35mm.
Evoque is available in two specifications, Prestige and Dynamic.
According to Eddie Kavanagh, General Manager of Land Rover Ireland, the more practical 5-door version is expected to account for most sales—around 60 units this year, and up to 300 units in a full year.
But it was the stylish coupe that really did it for me. Especially in white, but Ipanema Sand is a close second.
