Earlier this month, Land Rover released its first teasers for the upcoming Range Rover Evoque Convertible->ke144. Other than the styling changes being made to the entire 2016 Evoque lineup, the drop-top Range Rover looks almost identical to the concept that debuted at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Before it goes on sale next year, though, Land Rover engineers still have testing to do, and that’s where our spy photographers were able to snap some good exterior shots of the new model.

The new convertible model was caught putting laps on the famed Nürburgring in Germany as well as some last-minute testing in Sweden before the snow melts. Thanks to the extensive squiggly-lined camouflage wrap, there really isn’t much new to see, but it does show the Evoque Convertible at angles other than the strategically photographed images Land Rover has already released.

The spy shots do provide us with our first look at the rear of the production design, which seems to differ slightly from the concept with a more squared-off rear end and a pronounced spoiler. More importantly, these shots show what the Range Rover Evoque convertible will look like with the retractable soft top in the raised position. One thing that is still unclear is how the rear-seat accommodations will be affected, but at least the production version won’t have this prototype’s full roll cage.

Continue reading to learn more about the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible.

Why it matters

After looking at these images, maybe there is just something inherently awkward with designing a convertible version of a crossover… even one as stylish as the Range Rover Evoque. Overall, the convertible seems to do a good job keeping the Evoque’s lines intact, but the roofline and rear end design have a strong Audi or Volkswagen vibe going on.

Range Rover Evoque Convertible

Read our full review of the 2016 Range Rover Evoque Convertible here.