THE new Range Rover Evoque passed an important milestone on Monday, when the first production vehicle was driven off the line at Land Rover’s Halewood manufacturing plant in Liverpool, England.

The first car to come off the line will be donated to the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) officials said.

According to JLR, worldwide interest in the Evoque has been exceptional with 18,000 orders received from customers “eager to be among the first to own the new Range Rover”.

“The Evoque is an incredibly exciting vehicle that joins a product range, which across both of our brands is the strongest we have ever had — and it fits in perfectly,” commented Dr Ralf Speth, JLR chief executive officer.

“It is a groundbreaking product, a Range Rover with concept-car look, lightweight technologies and the capability to deliver 50mpg fuel economy,” said Speth.

“At the same time it’s still a true Range Rover that’s agile, nimble, designed to survive in the urban jungle and capable of tackling the toughest climates and terrain thanks to Land Rover’s legendary all-wheel drive expertise,” Speth added.

JLR, in a report, disclosed that the launch of the Range Rover Evoque was just one of 40 new product actions that the company will carry out in the next five years “in the most ambitious market offensive in the history of its two brands”.

This product creation programme, JLR said, is supported by annual investment of £1.5 billion in developing new models, engines, technologies and vehicle lines.

The Range Rover Evoque will be sold in three-door and five-door body styles.

ATL Britannia, a division of ATL Automotive, is local representative for Jaguar and Land Rover brands in Jamaica.