Having sold half a million of them, Land Rover thought it would be a great wheeze to chop the roof off its Evoque. In doing so the old-school British brand sets off into deep, controversial undergrowth – the uncharted realm of the premium convertible SUV.

But this isn’t just a cheesy crossover with off-road pretensions – this is the real deal. This is a go-anywhere 4x4 with some of the most sophisticated equipment in the business. You just happen to be able to take the roof off.

The fact they could have got away with so much less but insisted on producing a capable, useable car is testament to their commitment to what Land Rover has always been famous for. They didn’t need to make a car this good, but they did – and that should silence the Evoque Convertible’s many critics.

Something beautiful happens when you pull off the road

When you think of Land Rover, what do you see? A pretty little Series I? A handsome early Range Rover? Purists hate the Evoque, and the Convertible is only going to enrage them further.

Looks-wise, the Evoque Convertible isn’t the ultimate in sleek – however, a stowed-away system keeps the silhouette of the Convertible nice and clean.

The fabric roof is true to the original hard top so headroom doesn’t suffer too much when it’s time to put the lid on. In fact, the fabric roof will squish an extra few millimetres, making the back seats less claustrophobic for tall passengers.

While storage compartments in the cabin are on the small side, there are plenty of them. My favourite is a small rubberised tray hidden behind the gear selector knob, and back passengers get cavernous storage bins.

Chopping the roof off the Evoque necessitated adding extra structure. The result is added kerb weight and slightly compromised handling. Light steering and soft brakes make the Evoque Convertible a cruiser rather than a roadster. Consumption is marginally better thanks to sportier power delivery and a sweeter engine note, but neither is noticeably athletic.

The ride and refinement are at good levels. Wind noise is obviously intrusive with the roof down on the motorway, even with the deflector fitted, but with the roof up the cabin is quiet at all speeds.

Something beautiful happens when you pull off the road, though. That rigidity and overengineered powertrain manifest themselves in one of the best 4x4s currently in production. The car feels unstoppable in slippery mud or on a taxing off-road circuit. And that shape gives it great approach and departure angles – essential when off-roading.

Power is distributed to all four wheels by a computerised 4x4 system, which analyses grip at each corner and prevents the wheels from spinning. If traction is lost, the computer will methodically apply known techniques in order to regain and maintain momentum. This genuine go-anywhere Land Rover attitude goes a long way to justify the starting price.

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