Range Rover Evoque Convertible revealed testing at Europe’s largest construction project

• Land Rover officially confirms New Range Rover Evoque Convertible at 2015 Geneva Motor Show
• Premium compact SUV convertible is the first vehicle to have driven Crossrail tunnels below London
• First prototype demonstrates Land Rover capability in underground surroundings

Whitley, UK, 02 March 2015 – Land Rover has confirmed the world’s first premium compact SUV convertible will go on sale in 2016 by releasing a unique underground testing film.

Forty metres below the streets of London, UK, the first prototype of Land Rover’s new Range Rover Evoque Convertible was granted exclusive access to the 26-mile (42km) network of Crossrail tunnels for a development test with a difference. Engineers were allowed the opportunity to drive the disguised Evoque Convertible with its roof lowered in complete privacy.

The short film begins with the highly-capable convertible being lowered into the tunnel network by crane, before negotiating a range of obstacles through the 6.2 metre diameter tunnel.

Murray Dietsch, Director of Land Rover Programmes said: “The tunnels are still under construction, so we had a unique opportunity to explore the vehicle’s all-terrain ability in unchartered territory.”

The Range Rover Evoque is no stranger to subterranean adventure. At its launch in 2011 the five-door variant was driven through Edge Hill Tunnel in Liverpool, the first tunnel in the world to be bored beneath a major city.

Land Rover will announce further details about its exclusive new premium compact SUV Convertible later this year. It will be built alongside the five door and coupe Evoque at Land Rover’s Halewood plant in the UK and will be on sale in 2016.

Written by Alan Zurvas

Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.