Range Rover Evoque L538 (2011-2015) with Menabo Tema Steel roof bars fitted on the bodywork

We fitted Menabo Tema Steel with a vehicle-specific kit on a 5-door Land Rover Range Rover Evoque L538, from the pre-facelift series. The work was done in our SuportBicicleta.ro shop at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania.

About the car: Range Rover Evoque generation 1 (L538), pre-facelift

The Evoque in this fitting is from the early years of the L538 generation, before the facelift of model year 2016. Production started on 4 July 2011 at Halewood, and the model was offered in 3-door and 5-door versions. The facelift changed little on the outside, mainly the position of the fog lights and the rear light on the tailgate, and the roof bar kit for the 5-door is listed for the whole 2011-2018 period.

For roof bars, what matters is that the Evoque in this fitting has no roof rails, and the roof is made of aluminium. That is why the Menabo Tema roof bars are fixed to the bodywork, with fittings made for this model. The Land Rover manual states 75 kg on the roof on the road and 50 kg off-road for the factory-approved system; when you use other roof bars, their weight counts towards this load.

What we fitted on this Evoque

The set of Menabo Tema Steel roof bars for the Range Rover Evoque L538, 5-door, 2011-2018 is the steel version of the Tema range, a well-established product from the Italian manufacturer. The roof bars are wrapped in a protective plastic layer, have an oval, aerodynamic profile, and the metal parts are treated with a rubberised, anti-corrosion coating.

Unlike the Tema Aluminium, the steel roof bars have no T-track on top. Accessories, that is the bike rack, roof box, ski rack or kayak carrier, attach with the classic U-bolt fitting around the bar. The pack includes 4 vehicle-specific fitting kits, 4 feet, 2 roof bars, 4 locks with keys and an Allen key.

Video: Menabo Tema on the bodywork, what the fitting looks like

Technical details and what to watch for

• Menabo Tema Steel dimensions: 1,300 mm long, 30 mm high, 48 mm wide; colour black; set weight 5.8 kg.
• Maximum load: 50 kg, TÜV and ISO approved.
• On the Evoque roof: 75 kg (manual limit on the road) - 5.8 kg (the roof bars) = 69.2 kg available; the lower limit of the roof bars, 50 kg, still applies.
• When you choose an accessory, check that it has a U-bolt fitting, because the Tema Steel roof bars have no T-track.
• The Evoque manual requires the fittings to be checked after the first 50 km and does not recommend off-road driving with a loaded roof.
• The instruction manual is included in the box.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Menabo Tema Steel and the Tema Aluminium on the Range Rover Evoque?

Both Menabo Tema sets for the 5-door Range Rover Evoque L538 are 1,300 mm long and have a 50 kg capacity. The Tema Steel weighs 5.8 kg and has no T-track on top, so accessories attach only with the U-bolt fitting. The Tema Aluminium version weighs 5.2 kg and has a 20 mm T-track for T-bolt fitting.

Do the Menabo Tema Steel roof bars fit the pre-facelift Evoque?

Yes. The Menabo Tema Steel kit is for the 5-door Land Rover Range Rover Evoque L538, 2011-2018 model, so it also covers pre-facelift cars like the one in this fitting.

What load do the Menabo Tema Steel roof bars carry on the Range Rover Evoque?

The Menabo Tema Steel roof bars carry a maximum of 50 kg on the Range Rover Evoque L538. The car's manual allows 75 kg on the roof on the road, including the weight of the roof bars, so the limit that counts is the 50 kg of the roof bars, from which you subtract the accessory.

What can I fit on the roof bars of an Evoque?

On the Menabo Tema Steel roof bars of a Range Rover Evoque you can fit bike racks, roof boxes, ski racks or kayak carriers, all with a U-bolt fitting. You will find more ideas in the guide 8 reasons why roof bars are worth buying.

We are waiting for you in the showroom

Do you have an early Evoque and want roof bars? We are waiting for you in our showroom at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania, where you will find roof bars and ski racks for roof bars. To arrange a fitting, contact us through our contact page or at [email protected]. contact us through our contact page or at [email protected].

You can also message us on WhatsApp.

Sources: Wikipedia - Range Rover Evoque · Range Rover Evoque Owner's Handbook, JLR 2015, page 83 · SuportBicicleta.ro guide - 8 reasons why roof bars are worth buying · product pages on suportbicicleta.ro