Land Rover’s->ke46 bringing a special-edition->ke2041 Range Rover Evoque to the 2014 Paris Motor Show->ke227. It’s called the Evoque SW1 Special Edition and if there was ever a time that the phrase “special edition” means something, it’s this one. See, there’s something really special about the Evoque SW1, other than it being part of Jaguar and Land Rover’s new “Inspired by Britain” series of models.

The Evoque SW1 is one of the first production models to prominently feature Land Rover’s integrated laser heads-up display. It’s a really cool information display that appears onto the Evoque’s->ke3666 windscreen. I’m still not sure how distracting the display can be, but it does have that novelty factor attached to it.

In addition to the HUD, the Evoque SW1 also features prominent styling cues derived from its British heritage, notably the numerous appearances of the Union Jack throughout the body and cabin of the SUV->ke145.

We expect the special-edition model to hit dealerships shortly after making its debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show in October. Be on the look out for these special Evoque SUVs and stay tuned for the rest of JLR's "Inspired by Britain" series.

Click past the jump to read more about the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque SW1 Special Edition.

Exterior

As special-edition models go, the Range Rover Evoque SW1 features a multitude of styling details that are exclusive to its kind. It’s also the first in a series of “Inspired by Britain” special-edition models that Jaguar and Land Rover have in store for us in the coming months.

The exterior doesn’t deviate from the standard design of the Evoque but it does have a handful of personalized touches, including a choice of exterior colors: Firenze Red, Fuji White, Loire Blue, Santorini Black and Corris Grey. Whatever color you choose, you're assured of getting a nice Fuji White roof, decals, a set of 20-inch alloy wheels, and some fancy Union Jack graphics on the wing mirrors and the rear spoiler.

The changes aren’t dramatic, but they do uphold the “Inspired by Britain” theme Land Rover is going for.

Interior

The Union Jack is prominent in the cabin, specifically on the headrests where you’ll see tags finished with the flag’s three colors. You’ll see the same thing on the carpet mats and the sill plates, while manual transmission models get the added treat of having a themed gearshift insert.

The Evoque SW1 Special Edition also received a Taurus Ebony leather upholstery that creates a delicate yet effective balance with the contrast Cirrus stitching. You’ll also see an anodized red finish on the rotary shift controller and shift paddles for models carrying the nine-speed automatic transmission.

All these things are nice and fancy, but the real highlight of the Evoque SW1 Special Edition is the addition of Land Rover’s new integrated laser heads-up display (HUD). Be prepared for the future because this HUD projects information directly onto the windscreen through laser holographic techniques. This new system isn’t all style and vanity; it also provides a whole lot of valuable driving information, including road speed, gear position, turn-by-turn navigation, traffic sign recognition, and the cruise-control speed. You can even adjust the system's brightness and display position.

Drivetrain

The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque SW1 Special Edition employs a 2.0-liter, inline-four engine that produces 240 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque, which is good enough to sprint the SUV from 0 to 60 mph in a little over seven seconds. Top speed rests at 135 mph.

It would've been nice if it was given even a modest performance bump, but we're not sweating out Land Rover's decision to keep the engine as is. It doesn't take away from its "Inspired by Britain" theme in any way.

Prices

Land Rover has not given a price on the Evoque SW1 Special Edition, but we expect an announcement soon; possibly after it makes its debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show in October. With sales set to start in October, Land Rover can't sit on the price for too much longer..

Competition

BMW X3

Luxury SUVs have become the rage these days, so it’s no surprise that the Range Rover Evoque belongs in a market that’s as competitive as they come in the industry. The Evoque is still relatively young compared to its rivals, so if you really want to line it up against the standard, you look at a model like the BMW X3.

Fortunately, BMW just unveiled an updated version of the X3, giving it a worthy competitor that arguably has the same amount of new features and new technology. The X3, in particular, comes with a revised front end that received a new kidney grille, a modified front bumper, and new twin-circular headlights. The X3’s interior also gets a new look, thanks to a handful of luxurious refinements to go with a bevy of new trim options.

The new BMW X3 admittedly has a wider variety of engine options compared to the Evoque. But for this particular comparison, it’s best to keep it to the X3 sDrive28i and the X3 xDrive28i. Both models prominently feature a 2.0-liter, TwinPower turbocharged four-cylinder that develops 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers are good enough to propel the X3 from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds to go with an estimated top speed of 155 mph.

Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI is another worthy contender to the Evoque. There’s just a little problem with the Q5 in its current state; it needs a little freshening up. But there’s still a lot to like with the Q5, most notably its sporty and aggressive front section that’s magnified by the presences of those headlamps with LED running lights. The Singleframe grille is also typical Q5, as are the noticeable high-gloss black inserts, chrome rings, and the modified taillights with their own set of LED lights.

The Audi Q5 falls a little short in the power department compared to the Evoque and the X3. Instead of producing 240 ponies, the base Q5 is powered by a 2.0-liter, inline-four engine that develops just 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It’s not a big disparity by any stretch of the imagination, but it is worth pointing out.

Conclusion

You have to appreciate the effort Land Rover put into developing this special line of Evoque models. I would've preferred a more comprehensive program that involved some mechanical and performance tweaks, but I'm not going to be greedy about this one.

Aesthetically, the Evoque SW1 Special Edition models look unique and very pleasing to the eyes.