Topless Land Rover Evoque to debut next year?

A new report finds that Land Rover has decided to build the on-again, off-again Range Rover Evoque Convertible concept (pictured) that was presented at the 2012 edition of the Geneva Motor Show.

The topless crossover is set to slot above the existing Evoque Coupe on which it is based. It will be billed as an alternative to premium German drop-tops like the Audi TT but it is expected to remain a low-volume niche model designed primarily to boost Land Rover’s image.

The yet-unnamed convertible Evoque will reportedly be powered by members of Jaguar – Land Rover’s new Ingenium family of four-cylinder engines. A nine-speed automatic transmission will come standard all across the board, and buyers will likely be asked to choose between two- and four-wheel drive.

Like the equally-controversial Nissan Murano CrossCabrio that recently went out of production, the Evoque will utilize a conventional cloth soft top because the setup is lighter and easier to stow than a retractable hard top. The Evoque’s body needs to be totally re-engineered and stiffened in order to safely handle an open-top configuration, a process that is both expensive and time consuming.

The convertible is believed to be in the final stage of development and it could be presented at next year’s edition of the Geneva Motor Show. If the rumor proves true, look for it to go on sale in the second half of next year as a 2016 model.