It’s not unusual for automakers to pay homage to their own history, incorporating throw-back Easter eggs that appeal to the brand loyal. Well, Land Rover->ke46 has done something similar with the Range Rover Evoque, but with a slight twist. The Evoque NW8 special edition pays tribute to the historic creative district in Northwest London. You’ll likely recall the area on the iconic cover of the Beatles’ Abbey Road album. In fact, the NW8 designation of this special edition is that area’s postal code.

The homage to Abbey Road continues deeper as the Evoque’s treadplates, seat tags, and key fob are all adorned with a similar “zebra” pattern as the white roadway markings. Further setting the Evoque NW8 apart is its red-colored roof, mirror caps, and Range Rover lettering that contrast the Fuji White body color. The front grille, side vents, window accents and 20-inch wheels are all coated in black.

Land Rover is positioning the Evoque NW8 as a highly exclusive model, with only 1,000 set for production.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque NW8.

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Specifications
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  • Model: land-rover-range-rover-evoque-nw8
Pros
Cons

2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque NW8

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque NW8
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Many of the upgrades and unique features of the Evoque NW8 special edition can be found on the exterior. It’s instantly recognizable with its Fuji White body color and Firenze Red roof, mirror caps, and Range Rover lettering. The normal chrome grille is traded for one coated in Santorini Black with matching side vents. A similar black color, Narvik Black, coats the 10-spoke wheels. Darkened headlights and taillights finish off the look.

Interior

Things on the inside are also given a unique flair. Customers can order either Taurus leather seats in Ebony with Pimento perforated inserts or Ebony seats with perforated Ebony inserts. Either way, the seats come with unique embroidered headrests. Down on the center console, the gear selector comes in an anodized red color with matching steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Manual transmission models feature a white gearlever with red graphics. Opening the door reveals the “zebra” print markings that mimic the lines on Abbey Road.

Of course, all the functionality of the Evoque is still present. Seating for five is offered and room for cargo in the rear makes the interior useful.

Drivetrain

Despite the uniqueness of the special edition, all the greasy bits remain the same. That’s not a bad thing, however, as the NW8 is based on the more powerful Dynamic trim level. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 285 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic and a six-speed manual are the two transmission choices. Backing that up is Land Rover’s legendary Terrain Response all-wheel-drive system.

With a push of a button, the computer intelligently directs power to all our wheels in the best manor suited for the terrain under the tires. The driver-selectable modes include General, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Sand, and Mud & Ruts. Hill Decent control is also standard.

Prices

Land Rover hasn’t announced pricing for the NW8 special edition, though we suspect pricing would start at around $65,000, building off the $56,600 base starting price of the Dynamic trim level. Oddly enough, the NW8 won’t be offered in the U.K. or the U.S. It will be Canada and other global markets that have a chance at owning one of the 1,000 built.

Competition

Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 is a similar-sized crossover SUV that pays a lot of attention to styling. Though it doesn’t have a swanky special edition that directly compets with the NW8, the Audi does bring a lot to the table. Respectable amounts of power come from the 3.0-liter Supercharged V-6, 272 horses to be precise. That’s enough to propel the Q5 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds.

Pricing for the Audi starts at $35,900 and ranges into the low $50,000 mark.

BMW X3

Yet another player in the sporty crossover segment is the BMW X3. Powered by a several engine options, the most powerful being the 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder making 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to all four wheels with the xDrive35i model, helping it reach 60 mph in less than six seconds.

Like the Audi, however, BMW doesn’t offer a cool special edition that competes with the Range Rover Evoque NW8. Prices for the X3 start at $39,325 and continue north past the $45,000 mark for the xDrive35i.

Conclusion

The Range Rover Evoque NW8 special edition does a great job at incorporating some uniquely British cultural details into its design. The homage to The Beatles and to its own Land Rover heritage is unmistakably cool. Sadly, the NW8 won’t be offered in the U.S. or even the U.K., but for 1,000 lucky owners, the NW8 brings a high level of exclusivity.