2016 Range Rover Evoque Convertible 2.0 Si4 first drive

As with the fixed-head Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover is offering the drop-top version of its smallest SUV with the option of a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Called the Si4, it develops 237bhp to give performance that is significantly better than even the highest-output diesel.

Not only is it quicker, but opting for the petrol motor also saves you 31kg. While that may seem a reasonable amount, it’s a drop in the ocean when you consider the kerb weight is still a hefty 1936kg. Astonishingly, there are variants of the Defender that weigh less.

The reason for the massive increase in weight compared with the tin-top Evoque is all to do with rigidity. There are significant amounts of additional bracing that have been added to the car’s structure, enough for it to be able to cope with the kind of tortuous off-road action Range Rovers are famous for.

Like the diesel version, you can only get the petrol-powered Evoque Convertible in the luxurious HSE Dynamic and HSE Dynamic Lux variants. That means the Si4 costs a hefty £52,400, £700 more than the TD4. Is it worth the premium?

As you would hope, the Si4 feels much more sprightly than the diesel-powered Evoque Convertible. With a 0-62mph time of 8.6sec, it’s not rapid, but you won’t find yourself being outdragged by humdrum hatchbacks.

After a slight pause from the nine-speed automatic gearbox, the Si4 pulls well enough from low speeds, as long as you’re prepared to rev the engine. It may be more powerful than the TD4, but it’s down on torque by more than 60Ib ft.

You therefore find the gearbox kicking down more frequently, making for less relaxed progress. While the engine’s tone isn’t unpleasant, it’s not tuneful either. It is still an improvement on the sometimes clattery TD4 motor at high revs, though.

Still, the Evoque Convertible isn’t the kind of thing you’d choose to fling down a decent stretch of road. It may be stiffly sprung and steer fairly accurately, but there’s little joy to be had from wringing its neck in a point-to-point blast.

If you do push on, you really start to feel the mass of the car. A brisk downhill run on a twisty mountain road will soon get the smell of toasty brakes in the air, while fast direction changes can sometimes feel a little ponderous.

Like the diesel, the Evoque Convertible is much happier cruising than charging. Dial back the pace and you start to appreciate the panoramic views offered by the open top that are enhanced by the tall driving position.

It’s at this point that you’d probably wish the suspension was more compliant; it doesn’t take a particularly rough road to have the occupants jostled around. On these surfaces, you might also notice the odd tremor through the structure. It’s certainly not floppy, but it’s certainly not as stiff as solid-roofed Evoques.

As for the interior, adults can squeeze into the rear seats, but only if someone short in stature is up front. Put even a reasonably tall person behind the wheel and leg room all but disappears, although head room isn’t too bad with the hood up.