Land Rover’s new compact Range Rover Evoque has been unveiled with the promise that the car would be the smallest, lightest, cleanest Range Rover ever. Unveiled at a ceremony that marked the 40th anniversary of the Range Rover line, the Evoque rolled out of the company’s assembly line with many a celebrity applauding it.

Land Rover has built the Evoque based on the same platform as the LRX concept with no change whatsoever.

The Evoque has been offered as Land Rover’s first front-wheel drive vehicle. Concerns for the environment have also gone into its making with efforts having been undertaken to snip CO2 emissions below 130g/km on the fwd, diesel version that comes powered by a Ford-PSA-sourced 2.2 TD. The London unveiling saw the three-door Evoque, and it is being said that a five-door version will soon come through.

Showcased as an exclusive, cosmopolitan, cross-continental and sophisticated model, the Evoque will see its world debut at the Paris Motor Expo that gets underway on September 30, this year. UK dealerships are expected to see the arrival of the Evoque, starting summer next year. Likely to sport a £30k-plus price tag in the UK, Land Rover will be offering the Range Rover Evoque in two- and four-wheel drive options.

What do you folks think? We’re completely SOLD!

[via CarMagazine]

Ford sales have gone online in the UK. As many as 50 dealers wholly-owned by Ford have kicked off vending new and pre-owned models over the Net from June 29.

With a survey having revealed that close to four in ten buyers look at buying their next car on the internet, the Ford initiative stands the chance of triggering rivals too to take the Net sales route. The carmaker’s UK dealers have begun lining up models ranging from the Ka, to Focus, Mondeo and the Galaxy people-carrier for purchase via the email.

Customers also have the option of getting in touch with a new call-centre that would help in placing orders. The Net sales efforts work in such a way that every new car will be delivered by FordOnline.co.uk to one of 12 regional delivery centers, where customers can do a final check, sign a final document and drive home in the new model purchased.

Price tags will be the same as what the Ford cars sport at dealerships. [via Telegraph]

The 2011 Volkswagen Passat, the face-lifted version of the earlier model, will make its world premiere this October when the curtains go up on the Paris Motor Show. Volkswagen has brought in a few alterations to the Passat by throwing in a new front and rear-end design. The car will start appearing at VW dealerships during the early days of 2011.

Volkswagen’s move to redesign the front and rear end design for the 2011 Passat would make the car look more in line with the latest models from the VW stables. This could mean that the 2011 VW Passat would have similar front and rear looks similar to the Scirocco and the 2011 Jetta.

Besides providing a facelift to the Passat’s exterior design, Volkswagen is also doing a bit of sprucing up in the interiors too. From what we get to know, the steering wheel and the door panel designs could get a facelift. Further, there could be additions and alterations in the audio and navigation systems too. However, Volkswagen could stay with the existing engines and transmission options that are currently incorporated in the existing model.

Vauxhall Ampera, called the Chevrolet Volt outside Europe, has lined up for release in London. Endorsed by supermodel Erin O’Connor, the showcasing of the car in the UK capital comes as part of the Vauxhall Ampera’s promotional campaign.

To be officially released in 2012, the Vauxhall Ampera arrived in London for the promotional event after a tour across UK. Supermodel Erin O’Connor provided the perfect star value to the event as she appeared donning an exclusive outfit dubbed ‘Eric Electric’.

The dress, designed by British fashion icon William Tempest, featured more than 1,000 dazzling lights and Swarovski crystals. Apart from standing by the new Vauxhall Ampera, she also went ahead and made public her thoughts on championing the green cause that the Vauxhall Ampera aims to promote. Calling the Vauxhall Ampera a leap in the right direction, she said she is a “real supporter when it comes to helping the environment.”