Ahead of its global launch in 160 markets next year, Range Rover’s all-new Evoque compact SUV is embarking on a unique high profile testing program and Australia is on the schedule.

Normally car companies conduct these tests in secret with heavily disguised prototypes, but Range Rover has boldly gone public with ten test vehicles sent to Sydney, London, New York, Sao Paulo, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Berlin, Shangahi and Moscow. 

Each has a camouflage vinyl ‘wrap’ (actually GPS maps of each host city) covering the outside and – for example - ‘Hello Sydney’ on the sides.

As well as a high profile preview of Range Rover’s first compact model – Evoque will be the smallest, lightest and most fuel-efficient ‘Rangie’ to date – the program has a serious side with some 17,000 tests to be completed on components and systems.

Engineers will travel to 20 countries testing the Evoque in conditions ranging from the Arctic to the desert, Tokyo city traffic to the Australian outback.

Like all car companies, before the Evoque arrives in Range Rover dealerships, hundreds of pre-production models will have been thoroughly tested over millions of kilometers…but we reckon this latest high-profile test is a smart move to stir-up anticipation prior to launch.

And as we now know, the all-new Evoque is one good-looking compact SUV.