Post-divorce
The children of divorced couples often face difficulties. When the marriage breaks down it can be the start of a slippery slope. This has not, however, been the fate of Startech. Back in the days when the relationship between Daimler-Benz and Chrysler was the automotive equivalent of wedded bliss the traditional Mercedes tuner, Brabus, founded Startech to deal with the products of the American partner. But then things started to get rocky in the marriage and Startech began to suffer from the impending separation. But not for long… for soon the tuner team based in Bottrop began to work on vehicles built by Land Rover. And so it is now quite logical that they have turned their attention to the new favourite of the British manufacturer, the new Range Rover Evoque.
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- The back end has been given a new fascia by Startech, including a diffuser.
Debut in the dunes
Startech has sent its latest creation for its unveiling into the wastes of Araby, to the Dubai International Motor Show which will run until the 14th of November. But the Startech Evoque is certainly not pre-disposed to adventurous dune bashing. It is fitted with 9x21 inch alloys (with 9x20 or 9x22 as alternatives) with rubber sized 265/40… hardly the answer on endless sand. The body-kit includes new front and rear fascias… at the front with an integrated spoiler and at the back with diffuser… and is much more suited to running on well-paved highways. Of course there has to be a prominent spoiler wing to complete the re-styling job.
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- The Startech engineers have optimized the suspension of the Range Rover Evoque by combining the series shock-absorbers with sports springing, a move which lowers the body of the compact SUV by about 35 millimetres.
Suspension now, motorization to follow
The Startech engineers have optimized the suspension of the Range Rover Evoque by combining the series shock-absorbers with sports springing, a move which lowers the body of the compact SUV by about 35 millimetres. In order to justify this upgrade of the running gear Startech are currently working on power enhancement measures to boost the output of the series 240 horsepower two-litre turbo-charged four-cylinder engine.
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- The roof lining and the ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ pillars are covered in finest Alcantara.
Leather and Alcantara
There is only one way to be noticed at the Dubai International Motor Show and that is by offering luxury. As is always the case with Brabus/Startech there is no limit to the imagination in this regard. The show-car prepared for its debut on the shores of the Arabian Gulf features black-and-white leather in diamond stitched quilting. The roof lining and the ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ pillars are covered in matching Alcantara. As a finishing touch the tuner has been generous with carbon trim for the dashboard and middle console.
Startech seems to have survived the divorce quite well. It remains to be hoped that Land Rover and Range Rover are in the future sufficiently fecund to produce many offspring for the subsidiary of the Brabus Group to work on.
