I'm not sure why they changed the name from LRX to Evoque? The name doesn't bother me; however, the change of what was the original concept does.
Land Rover originally pitched the LRX as a diesel hybrid with Range Rover luxury but in a small package. This wasn't going to be lip service to luxury but actually scaling down the RR into a format that many current RR owners would feel more comfortable with.
Personally, I felt the idea made a lot of sense. The driving position of an SUV makes for a more enjoyable long distance drive (while this is my opinion, it is one I have formed over many many many 10,000s of motorway miles both in the UK and in Europe in a RHD vehicle), there are plenty of luxury car owners who simply by larger cars because they are the only ones offered with the features and trim that they want (I have been banging the drum, calling for a small luxury car for ages (coach works Minis anyone?) and lastly hybrid - a diesel hybrid makes sense (just because you drive a RR doesn't mean you don't want to save on fuel).
The LRX was promised to be: fuel efficient, combine luxury (RR Vogue level) in a small platform (it was designed to be VW Golf size), offer a raised driving position in a car that was both built with eco sensitive material and built in an eco sensitive manner.
What they seem to have delivered is a Freelander-esque car with zero hybrid option and all of the interesting eco ideas dropped. Chances are the trim level will also be far less than they first mooted, so as not to steal sales from the RR.
I'll reserve final judgement until I can see one in the metal and understand the model line but at the moment it seems like another poor implementation of what looked like an exciting concept car.
