The Range Rover Evoque gets two new ‘Inspired by Britian’ models, debuts Heads-Up Display. Australia still considering the case for HUD.

LAND ROVER HAS followed in Mini’s footsteps and will offer customers a number of personalisation options for the Range Rover Evoque. The SW1 Special Edition Evoque you see here is the first in a series of ‘Inspired by Britain’ special editions.

Like Mini before it, the SW1 Special Edition Evoque features Union Jack (British flag) flourishes both inside and out. The SW1 will be on display at the 2014 Paris Motor Show and will be available to European customers to order from mid-October.

“The Range Rover Evoque is a fresh interpretation of classic Range Rover design cues” said Land Rover design boss, Gerry McGovern. “These special editions are a celebration of our Britishness. Evoque is designed and engineered in Britain and we know that resonates with our Global consumers.”

As cute-looking as the SW1 Special Edition Evoque is, that’s not the headline news. No, that belongs to the announcement the Range Rover Evoque is now available with a head-up display (HUD). According to the Range Rover, “The secondary driver information display projects useful information directly onto the vehicle’s windscreen and into the driver’s field of vision.

“In a world first, the Land Rover system features laser holographic techniques, resulting in superior colour saturation, brightness and contrast compared to rival systems, and all in a small, lightweight package. The innovative laser system is more robust against issues such as “washout” – the effect that the glare from sunlight has on inferior LED-based systems,” a statement read.

“Jaguar Land Rover’s HUD system is an innovative driver information tool, which really pushes the boundaries of advanced laser projection technology. It borrows from military technology – which, until now, has been unheard of in the automotive industry,” said Murray Dietsch, Director Land Rover Programmes

“Land Rover is commited to preventing the risk of accidents by reducing driver distraction. By presenting key driver information in this way and removing the need for the driver to look away from the road ahead, HUD is an important step on the journey to delivering Land Rover’s vision of the intelligent car of the future.”

The system is available in the UK as a £1000 extra cost option, but Land Rover Australia spokesperson James Scrimshaw told Practical Motoring the, “the head up display is likely to come to Australia, but is under review at the moment by product planning”.

But, back to the SW1 Special Edition Evoque, which is based on the Dynamic variant and will be offered in Firenze Red, Fuji White, Loire Blue, Santorini Black and Corris Grey with a contrast Fuji white roof and gloss Fuji white 20-inch alloys. Union Jack graphics feature on the rear spoiler and the white door mirror housings.

Inside, standard will be Taurus Ebony leather seats, door inserts, arm rests and facia trim picked out with contrast stitching. Seat headrests are finished with tags bearing the Union Jack, which is repeated on the carpet mats which have Ebony binding.

If you prefer something a little more subdued, then the SW1 Special Edition Evoque Monochrome will likely be right up your alley. Based on the Pure body style, it will be available with a choice of Santorini Black, Fuji White and Corris Grey paint finishes, with a contrast black roof on the second two colours. The Union Jack graphics and details that are full colour on other models are presented as just one colour on the Monochrome variant. Both special edition models feature unique white RANGE ROVER lettering on the bonnet.