Marangoni Evoque HFI-R turns heads

Marangoni is turning heads in the automotive industry with the unveiling of its tuned-up Range Rover Evoque, which sports striking red tyres. Marangoni’s project car made its debut at Bologna Motor Show in December 2011, but it is already courting attention in 2012, with Auto Express remarking on its “wild styling” in the 18 January issue of the popular magazine. Now the car is touring the UK throughout January.

According to the company, the Marangoni Evoque HFI-R embodies the quintessence of elegance, fashion and sport. Based on a Si4 2.0 Turbo petrol engine model, the Marangoni Evoque HFI-R has been tuned to deliver an additional 59bhp (total 300bhp), whilst still managing to significantly reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions by exploiting innovative combined hydrogen and natural gas technology. The HFI (Hybrid Fuel Injection) system can either be supplied with hydrogen-natural gas mixes in varying percentages, or natural gas only, making it a valid ‘ecological’ and ‘economical’ solution, as these fuels do not pollute and are easy to source. Although, as Auto Express’s Luke Madden pointed out in his report, drivers pay the price for this when it comes to boot space.

As far as tyres are concerned, Marangoni has developed ‘M-Power EvoRed’ – a special set of 20-inch ruby red coloured tyres. In this experimental version, the compounds used feature high silica content along with innovative materials that minimise rolling resistance and consequently fuel consumption – further enhancing the car’s economy credentials.

Developed by utilising the same platform as the Marangoni tyre M-Power range, the EvoRed tyres represent a bespoke version of the new ultra high performance product from Marangoni. Marangoni representatives report that thee M-Power range is the result of considerable investments in technology and research that have allowed Marangoni to develop a product with a sporting soul, extremely high performance and progressive handling, designed to ensure maximum driving pleasure and the highest level of safety.

While it is shod with red 255/30 R20 Marangoni ‘M-Power EvoRed” tyres, which are fitted to Oz Racing Dakar 8.5×20 alloy wheels, the tuned up car is brought to halt by arox B360 10-pot calipers and composite disks, with 330×26 diameter brake rotors.

Awarded three out of five, Auto Express’s verdict was that the bold styling of the car would not appeal to all, but that the style and efficiency of this powerful vehicle certainly make an impression: “This Evoque focuses on style, and the HFI-R delivers a very unique look that will appeal to some, if not all. But there’s no denying the clever tech that cuts CO2 emissions – or, importantly, the impressively grown up driving experience.”

M-Power and the full Marangoni Tyre range are exclusively available throughout the UK at Kwik Fit.

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