Land Rover previews the compact Evoque

Land Rover has pulled the wraps off of its newest model, a luxury, compact SUV dubbed the Range Rover Evoque. Based on the LRX concept that debuted in 2008, the Evoque's two-door design makes it the smallest, lightest Range Rover ever; it's expected to be the most fuel efficient, as well.

Land Rover has released only a single photo of the new model--for the rest, we will have to wait for the 2010 Paris Motor Show in September. Unsurprisingly, the production model looks--at least on the outside--almost exactly like the LRX concept. Obvious differences include larger wing mirrors and usable door handles. In the photograph, the Evoque reads "big." There are large wheels and Range Rover proportions, but with modern design cues, such as the sloping roof, and futuristic details that make this Range Rover look more akin to a Mars Rover than a car. However, take a look at the still photo from the vehicle's debut and the small scale of the crossover is brought into sharper focus.

Like any vehicle bearing the Range Rover badge, the Evoque will be available with four-wheel drive, but there will also be a two-wheel drive variant. Whether those driving wheels are on the front or rear axle remains to be seen, but we're guessing front. With Land Rover placing heavy emphasis on the lightness, fuel efficiency, and low emissions, we're also guessing that whatever engine supplies the torque to those wheels won't be a fire breather either. Then again, we can always hope for a high-performance Evoque Sport.

We expect Land Rover to fill in the blanks and details about the production Range Rover Evoque when the coupe makes its public debut at the Paris Motor Show on September 30, 2010. The Evoque will go on sale in North America in the fall of 2011.