The Range Rover Evoque was designed to open doors for Jaguar Land Rover, and to attract new customers to the somewhat stodgy brand. For many American buyers, a Range Rover was nothing more than a way of telling the neighbors you made more money than them (and didn’t worry about details like depreciation or reliability). That may work in the suburbs, but it didn’t play well with young, urban hipsters, who Jaguar Land Rover desperately wants as customers.

Enter the smaller, kinder, gentler Range Rover Evoque, which comes only with a turbocharged four cylinder engine. It’s designed to be an all-weather “lifestyle vehicle,” not the kind of sport-utility you’d take far beyond where the buses run. It’s capable enough when fitted with Land Rover’s Terrain Response system, but it simply isn’t the kind of SUV you’d tackle the Rubicon Trail in.

Motor Trend has a different take on the Evoque, and they’ve just named it “SUV of the Year.” Granted, the competition has been a bit thin in 2011, as most manufacturers move away from gass-guzzling SUVs to small displacement sedans and hatchbacks, but surely there had to be something to stack up against the Evoque. In fairness, we haven’t driven one, but the Evoque is more of a crossover in our eyes than it is an SUV.

What’s your take? Did Motor Trend pick the best new SUV of 2011, or is it all about the advertising revenue?

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque. Image: Jaguar Land Rover

While still capable off-road to some degree, the Range Rover Evoque is primarily a “lifestyle vehicle,” targeted to urban hipsters who want to be seen driving the trendiest new vehicles. As such, more effort went into designing a cool-but-functional interior than picking the perfect engines, although the turbodiesel and turbocharged gas engines used in the Evoque will be perfectly suitable to most drivers.

The highest output engine today is a 2.0-liter turbo four that produces 237 horsepower. Given that the Evoque can easily tip the scales at two tons with passengers and cargo, that’s not a lot of muscle to motivate the trendy crossover. Autoevolution and Autocar both report that a 300 horsepower Evoque has been built for evaluation, and preliminary testing shows the chassis is up to handling the added output. The engine is said to be a high-pressure turbo variant of the existing 2.0-liter engine, so fuel economy probably won’t suffer too much.

While I hate to talk any automaker out of building a performance vehicle, I’d raise this question about a high-output Evoque: who would buy such an animal? A well-equipped Evoque with the current engine can easily hit the $55k price point, which is the same starting point as a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8. That means a hotter Evoque would sell for even more money, making the choice of which fun-to-drive SUV to buy a no-brainier.

Not long ago we brought you the story of the Chinese businessman that was so dissatisfied with the service he received from Lamborghini of China that he actually destroyed his own car on China’s National Consumer Day to prove a point. The pictures and video of his poor battered bull were heartbreaking, but as it turns out, the man got his point across in spades. Now it seems that because of this little stunt another dissatisfied customer, this time in a Range Rover, is also thinking outside the box while trying to make his point. Autoblog.com is reporting that a Shenyang, China resident is fed up with the fact that his $304,000 (not a misprint) SUV has broken down 6 times in the last year, and on the 7th time, it needed a new engine. As opposed to unleashing an angry mob on the mechanically stricken machine, the owner simply tied a few donkeys to it and had them tow it to the dealership to make a point. Apparently the dealer was not amused and refused to offer any type of compensation.

We’ve already told you all there is to know about the Range Rover Evoque (here and here), which won’t be on the streets for another ten months or so. That didn’t stop Range Rover from creating the above video, which appears to show a virtual Evoque being virtually driven through virtual streets, by ghosts. You do get a good sense of what the Evoque looks like on the road, and you also get a decent look at the Evoque’s well appointed interior and panoramic roof.

This may be blasphemy to the Range Rover faithful, but the four door Evoque looks a lot like the new Ford Explorer, especially on the road. That’s a good thing for Ford, but I can’t imagine Evoque owners will be too happy getting asked, “How do you like your new Ford Explorer” all the time. Don’t get me wrong; it’s still a good looking crossover, but it’s just not as distinctive as the concept was, and I can’t help wonder if that will have an impact on sales.

Source: Carscoop

The 2011 Range Rover Evoque may be the best looking SUV (or crossover, depending upon your perspective) in the history of mankind. Will you be able to ford jungle streams and climb straight up the side of a volcano in one, like you could in a Land Rover Defender or a classic Range Rover? No, probably not, unless the stream is only a few inches deep and the volcano has a gravel road to the caldera. That certainly won’t hurt Evoque sales, since the urban-hip SUV is aimed at a buyer more concerned with image than with capabilities.

We’ve already seen the two door Evoque, and it’s damn sexy for a car with no sporting intentions. Here’s the four door version, and I’m happy to say that the bigger Evoque has given up none of its stunning good looks in the transition towards practicality. I’m liking the contrasting white roof option, which actually makes the Evoque look smaller, not a bad thing when you’re trying to disguise your SUV roots.

All the amenities you’ve heard about in the two door will also be offered with the four door. Want a 17 speaker, 825 watt stereo system designed by Meridian? Terrain Response driver selectable traction control? MagneRide suspension? Panoramic glass roof? You can check the option box for all of these and more. Don’t want AWD for your weekend trips to Dean and DeLuca or Zabar’s? No problem, since the Evoque will be the first Range Rover to offer FWD as an alternative to AWD.

Range Rover purists will call the Evoque all style without substance, but I’ll bet that Range Rover sells all they can build of both the two and four door models. Expect pricing to start in the mid $40,000 range when they go on sale in Q3 of 2011.

Back in the early 1980′s there was no such thing as an SUV. There were merely cars, station wagons and trucks that had four-wheel drive. Up here in the Northeast those who knew well enough to buy a four-wheel drive vehicle would simply laugh as the rest of us lay stuck on the side of the road. It actually wasn’t until the mid-1980′s with the release of the compact Jeep Grand Cherokee that consumers actually got bit by the 4×4 bug. Once bitten however people seldom went back to their old ways and more importantly their old two-wheeled drive vehicles. Below is a listing of some 4×4′s (I mean SUV’s) from the 1980′s that can be credited with starting the whole SUV movement that we have today. Even though these babies weren’t overly complex, they did have the ability to get us through the snow and to work on time and they did it without all the electronic gizmos that we have today.

• 1980 International Scout

The International Scout was actually one of the first SUV’s in existence sold to the consumer public. It was originally created as a competitor to the Jeep Willy’s and had a production run that ran from 1961-1980.

• 1981 Jeep Cherokee Chief

The Cherokee Chief was another pioneer in the SUV market that was produced by the now defunct American Motors Corporation (AMC). With a production run that lasted from 1974-1983, the Cherokee’s were full size trucks that looked good and went anyplace.

• 1984 Jeep Cherokee

The 1984 Jeep Cherokee is generally credited with starting the modern SUV craze. It was small and compact and handled more like a car than a truck. It was also perfect for small suburban families who needed a four-wheel drive vehicle but wanted something that was aesthetically pleasing as well.

• 1985 Chevrolet Suburban

Meet the Great Grandfather of the SUV movement. The Chevrolet Suburban has been around in one form or another since 1935 and GM has no plans to make it go away. It’s big, has always had plenty of power and can carry a family with all their belongings with ease.

• 1985 Range Rover

Aside from the 80′s versions of these trucks having terrible electronics, I have to say that they were pretty darn good. When taken off-road Range Rovers were pretty unstoppable, but due to their higher price tags they didn’t really become popular in the U.S. until the early 1990′s.

• 1986 Ford Bronco

The Ford Bronco has been around since the mid-1960′s where it debuted to compete with the International Scout. The 1980′s though was where the Bronco really came into its own as Ford made them not only comfortable, but very user friendly. They were relatively quiet for a big 4×4, had great off-road capabilities and more than enough room for a family of four. There only hindrance was that it was only a two door. The Bronco was also one of the best looking early SUV’s on the market.

• 1986 Toyota 4Runner

Toyota knew that it had something special with its legendary SR5 pick-up truck. The compact truck was dead reliable, went anyplace and in its compact form, was a very attractive ride. So, in 1984 they put a hard top on it with two back seats and presto – instant SUV.

• 1987 K5 Chevrolet Blazer

Like the full size Ford Bronco the Chevrolet Blazer was one of the last big 4×4′s to be sold in the U.S.. From the inside it was big and comfortable, but unfortunately it wasn’t as attractive as the Bronco which hurt its sale towards the end of its life cycle. Today K5 Blazers are coming back with a vengeance on the collector market, so if you see a clean one, you may want to pick it up.

• 1988 Dodge Ram Charger

The Dodge Ram Charger was the black sheep of the full size 4×4 market in the 1980′s. It wasn’t nearly as attractive as the Blazer or Bronco and was also a bit cumbersome from an exterior perspective. Still, if you wanted to go against the grain the Ram Charger was the truck to get.

• 1989 Ford Bronco II

The Ford Bronco II was the beginning of the end for the big 4X4′s from Ford. It was small and compact and quickly became a favorite amongst off-roaders. The Bronco II eventually morphed into the first generation Ford Explorer when the wheelbase was stretched and two more doors were added.

Another week, another series of “leaked” product introductions ahead of next week’s Paris Auto Show. This time it’s Range Rover, showing off the Evoque, which makes its official debut at the Paris event. Range Rover has ambitious plans for the Evoque, as the company hopes it will bring in an entirely new demographic of buyer. In keeping with current trends in both the E.U. and the U.S., Range Rover will seek to maximize interior content and luxury, while maintaining Range Rover’s legendary all weather capability. The Evoque is also smaller than existing Range Rover models, which the company hopes will broaden its appeal in urban environments.

When the Evoque hits dealers in the fall of next year, customers will have three design themes to choose from. The first is called “Pure”, and will combine the original concept vehicle exterior with “clean” interiors in neutral colors. Soft touch materials and brushed aluminum trim will be used throughout the interior. The “Prestige” design theme gets you 19 inch or optional 20 inch wheels, an “indulgent” leather interior in two tone color schemes, and real wood and metal interior trim. Opt for the “Dynamic” design theme, and you get a sportier exterior (complete with with unique bumpers, grill and exhaust), a “sports interior” with perforated leather seating and “unique sports detailing”. Buyers of the Dynamic design theme can opt for contrasting roof and spoiler colors to personalize their Evoque.

Dubbed as the smallest, lightest and most fuel efficient Range Rover ever produced, the Evoque will use a turbocharged, 2.0 liter direct-injection four cylinder motor, good for an estimated 240 horsepower. All Evoque models will be AWD and will utilize Range Rover’s Terrain Response system, which allows drivers to optimize traction, based upon driving conditions, with the turn of a dial. The Evoque will be a true global vehicle for Range Rover, and will eventually be sold on over 160 countries after the initial launch in 2011.

A white Maybach 57S with 'King of Ohio' plates - I wonder who that could be.

Lebron James has some tough choices ahead of him. The NBA free agent is the darling of the league, and finds himself in the enviable position of being able to play for any team that can afford him. The most current rumors have him headed to Miami, which is just about ground zero for obscenely rich car guys. Even James’ custom Maybach 57 will be just another car on the streets of South Beach. Of course he could fool us all and sign with New York, where even his F430 would blend in with the crowd.

So what else does Lebron James drive? The list is extensive, and cars seem to come and go. Below are just a few of the cars associated with the King of Ohio, and I think you’ll agree that he’s got some pretty decent taste when it comes to rides.

Dodge Challenger SRT

Done up in the colors of the Dallas Cowboys, the car rolls on what looks to be 22” rims. I’m not a Cowboys fan so I’d have to take a pass on this particular car, but props to James for going with an American muscle car as part of his collection. If you ask me, he needs to balance it with a 1970 Hemi Challenger drop top. LeBron, just hit me up if you’d like me to track one down for you.

Ferrari F430 Spider

You probably wondered the same thing I did: would 6’8” tall Lebron James even fit in a Ferrari F430? The answer is yes, once it’s been worked over by Will Castro and Unique Autosports. The F43 features stretched seats with LB logos replacing the prancing horses, a custom stereo and aftermarket but tasteful rims.

Mercedes Benz S63 AMG

Think “understated elegance” and you get the idea behind this car. White with color matched wheels, the only flashy thing on this ride is Jame’s logo swap; instead of wearing the usual S63 badge on the trunk, his ride sports L23 for his first initial and his Cavaliers jersey number.

Hummer H2

James' Hummer H2, after its 2007 redo.

A gift from his mother on James’ 18th birthday, his yellow Hummer H2 prompted an investigation as to whether or not James could still be considered an amateur athlete. The 2003 H2 received a complete makeover from Unique Autosports in 2007, and sports 28” wheels, a custom grille and ebony paint. The inside received a complete reworking, including a state of the art touchscreen computer (with mobile internet, of course).

James also drives a white Range Rover and has donated two Kias (won as league MVP in 2009 and 2010) to charity. Kia, unfortunately, requires the winner to keep the vehicle for one year, delaying his gift to the Akron Urban League and the SUMMA Foundation.

The LRX is dead, long live the LRX! Just don’t call it that; instead, it’s now called the Range Rover Evoque, and the picture you see was released today in advance of its official debut at the Paris Auto Show this October.

Land Rover isn’t telling us much about the baby of the family, but it’s expected to go on sale in Summer 2011, with some kind of powertrain at some kind of price point. I wish I could fill in the details, but you’ll have to check back for additional information,

Why Evoque? Inside Line quotes Land Rover’s managing director, Phil Popham as saying, “(the name) implies exclusivity and arouses emotions. Evoque is cosmopolitan and cross-continental, sophisticated and matches the car’s urban elegance”. Which explains why they didn’t go with my suggestion of “The Tata A Cup”

Photo: B. Cortis

Have you achieved nirvana this week? Probably not, and it’s only Tuesday. Since the rest of the week is going to be a grind, kick back and enjoy a few more automotive haikus. They won’t get you any closer to nirvana (or Friday, for that matter), but they may make you chuckle. Do you have a better offer for a Tuesday?

Lexus Cars

Sure, they are well built
But handle like river boats
Japanese Buick

Lexus LFA

Japanese Buick?
Finally we build sports car
No one can afford

Lamborghini

Fast car gets you laid
Also can burst into flames
Need condoms, Nomex

Maybach 57S Coupe

A two door Maybach
Shows Ron Jeremy was right
Only size matters

2011 Ford Explorer

A front wheel drive truck?
With computer suspension?
Get stuck, just reboot

2010 Trans Am

Photo: ASC

2012 Land Rover LRX

Front wheel drive Rover?
The ultimate blasphemy
Not for off roading

Kia Soul

Kia has great ads
Driving hamsters number one
Loved by Richard Gere

VW Passat CC

Good car, great styling
But Volkswagen’s been smoking crack
V6 is how much?

Nissan GT-R

Looks good, stupid fast
Handling like a slot car
Why buy LFA?