Spend it like Beckham. Range Rover Evoque Special Edition (w/VIDEOS)

When the Range Rover Evoque was first revealed at the car maker’s 40th anniversary party at Kensington Palace (in association with Vogue magazine), the occasion was perhaps most significant by the announcement that Victoria Beckham (of Posh Spice fame) would be the new Creative Design Executive for Range Rover.

Cue, jaw-dropping silence as we all looked around for some sign of a ‘punch-line’.

At best this was surely a hint towards an accompanying range of accessories, perhaps some designer luggage or sunglasses for ladies who lunch.

But, no. Land Rover’s Design director Gerry McGovern maintained a straight face and patiently explained, “Victoria Beckham is a talented British fashion designer and is extremely knowledgeable about great design and trends.”

McGovern went on to say, “Victoria understands luxury products – she is a Range Rover fan and has been a Range Rover owner for many years. Her fashion business is now in its third year and her designs are loved by critics and bought by many of the most stylish women in the world. I believe this appointment adds a new dimension to my design team as we continue to design products to appeal to a wider audience.”

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So, here we are nearly two years later and the first product of their collaboration is revealed – the Range Rover Evoque Special Edition four-seat coupé by Victoria Beckham.

Powered by a lightweight, all-aluminium 237bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine with 340Nm of torque, the Evoque Special Edition is the first ever Land Rover to feature exclusive hand-finished matt paint. Drive is delivered to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddles.

Optimising it for the best on-road driving experience is an Adaptive Dynamics system which monitors vehicle movements 1000 times a second to offer the best balance between handling and a controlled, comfortable ride. MagneRide dampers are filled with a magnetic fluid that allows for infinitely variable damping control.

The Evoque Special Edition features a truly unique specification, which includes Santorini gloss black detailing contrasts with stealth-like paintwork, unique 20″ gloss black forged alloy wheels with rose-gold accents, rose-gold plated grille surround and badging, soft vintage inspired tan semi-aniline leather interior seats with hand-finished feature stitch, semi-aniline leather door inserts, armrests and cubby lid, exclusive rose-gold plated interior accents, unique and ultra-luxurious mohair floor mats and microsuede headlining, new interior trim materials include Grand black lacquers veneers, textured aluminium and soft-feel black paint, a bespoke four-piece leather luggage set and finally a hand-sewn leather wallet for owner’s manual signed by Victoria Beckham.

Unique to this model is the Vintage-inspired tan leather in a semi-aniline finish which retains the grain and the softness of the hide for a gentler, more luxurious feel. Used on the Evoque’s Sports seats, it’s enhanced with a hand-finished ‘baseball’ stitch. The same leather is also used to cover the door inserts, arm rests and central storage box lid.

If you’d like an identical car for yourself, then it will set you back around £79,995, but in reality the Evoque Special Edition is a showcase for Land Rover’s Engineering to Order division (ETO), which is tasked with taking the ‘Autobiography’ ideal and turning it into a coach-built offering for those customers looking for a truly individual Range Rover.

Gerry McGovern, Director of Design, Land Rover explains: “The design of Evoque has truly captured the hearts of customers worldwide. Working with Victoria the intention was not to change the fundamental architecture and award winning design of the Range Rover Evoque. We wanted to create a Special Edition that extends its character in a new direction through understated, restrained colour and detail changes.

“Both Land Rover and Victoria Beckham are British luxury brands with credibility and global appeal, this dual ‘Britishness’ makes the collaboration even more exciting especially when considering the huge audience for bespoke products around the world, particularly in China, Russia and Brazil where Land Rover is growing”.

Victoria Beckham said: “I was very excited to be working with Land Rover as I have an enormous amount of respect for the brand. I’ve always driven a Range Rover, for me they are the epitome of quality and luxury.

“For me you should feel luxury. My brand is known for quality and workmanship and so is Land Rover. So for me it felt like the perfect collaboration.”

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