One of the highlights of the Beijing Auto Show was the Range Rover Evoque Special Edition. A collaboration between Land Rover and designer Victoria Beckham, the crossover will be a collector's item as only 200 will be built.
The model goes on sale first on the mainland at an 'indicative' price of GBP79,995 (HK$1 million), with deliveries in October, the marque says, but Land Rover Hong Kong says 'one model' may be orderable here for 'about HK$1.5 million'.
The Evoque crossover was a winner worldwide but needed a stylista's edge for wealthy bespoke clients, 'particularly in China, Russia and Brazil, where Land Rover is growing', says Land Rover design director Gerry McGovern. Pop icon Beckham already owned a Range Rover and met the marque's designers in 2010.
'At the first meeting, Victoria herself inspired the use of rose gold,' McGovern says. 'She was wearing dark clothes and no jewellery apart from a rose gold man's watch. I was struck by the juxtaposition of the masculine watch on a very elegant, feminine wrist. We both agreed it was the ideal way to introduce a softer touch to the bold, assertive exterior colour scheme.'
Built for unisex appeal at the marque's Halewood plant in Liverpool and hand-finished in matte grey by Land Rover's Engineering to Order division in Warwickshire, the Range Rover Evoque Special Edition gets unique 20-inch gloss black forged alloy wheels and rose gold details.
Seats are in tan leather with a sporty 'baseball' stitch, and the mohair floor mats are thanks to Beckham's memories of sinking her bare feet into the thick carpeting of her father's Rolls-Royce. The former Spice Girl's Evoque also gets an 825-watt Meridian audio system with 17-speakers and an infotainment gear.
