This first official picture of the all-new compact Range Rover was released today, following an exclusive preview in London for guests attending a 40th birthday celebration of Range Rover held with long time U.K. Range Rover partner, VOGUE magazine.

Called the Evoque, Range Rover say the name “implies exclusivity and arouses emotions”. The new Range Rover Evoque will make its global public debut at the Paris Motor Show at the end of September, before reaching UK dealerships in mid-2011 and other global markets soon thereafter. In total, the Range Rover Evoque will be available in 160 countries worldwide.

Bearing a striking resemblance to the original LRX concept, the newcomer is the smallest and lightest Range Rover ever made. Design boss Gerry McGovern said, “Tonight we wanted to show the world that we have stayed true to our word and delivered a car that completely represents the spirit of the LRX concept”, he went on to describe the car as “a modern and relevant execution of the familiar Range Rover design language.”

Land Rover’s managing director, Phil Popham, says, “Customers can be confident that the new car will be premium, luxurious and just as special as the other Range Rover models. Its sporting looks and unique qualities will open the brand to a new group of customers who may not have considered a Range Rover product before”.

The Evoque will be built at the Land Rover plant in Halewood, creating 1 000 new jobs in the Merseyside area – no doubt a welcome boost to the UK economy.