Land Rover Range Rover Evoque L538 (2011-2018) with Menabo Tema Aluminium roof bars

On this first-generation Land Rover Range Rover Evoque (L538), 5-door version, we fitted a set of roof bars Menabo Tema Aluminium with a vehicle-specific fitting kit. We did the fitting in the SuportBicicleta.ro showroom at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania.

About the car: Land Rover Range Rover Evoque generation 1 (L538)

The first-generation Range Rover Evoque, internal code L538, was built from July 2011 to 2018 in 3-door and 5-door versions at the Land Rover plant in Halewood. It is based on the LR-MS platform, derived from the Ford EUCD used for the Freelander 2, but with 90% of the parts redesigned. The facelift came with the 2016 model year, and the Evoque in this fitting is a 5-door facelift car.

For roof bars the roof comes first: the car has no roof rails, and the Evoque roof is made of aluminium, with a fixed panoramic roof available as an option. That is why the bars attach to the body, with feet and fittings made for this model. The official Land Rover manual (2015 edition, page 83) gives a maximum roof load of 75 kg on the road and 50 kg off-road for the roof rack system approved by Land Rover. With another roof rack system, such as Menabo Tema, the weight of the bars counts towards this load.

What we fitted on this Range Rover Evoque

The set of Menabo Tema Aluminium roof bars for Range Rover Evoque L538, 5-door, 2011-2018 is designed for cars without factory roof rails. The package contains 2 aluminium bars of 1300 mm, 4 feet, 4 Evoque-specific fitting kits, 4 locks with keys and an Allen key. The profile is oval, 30 x 48 mm, and the metal parts are treated with rubberised paint and an anti-corrosion coating.

The advantage of the aluminium version is the 20 mm T-track on top: bike racks, roof boxes and ski racks with T-track fitting go straight into the track, while those with U-bolt fitting attach to the outside of the bar. The bars are TÜV tested and ISO approved, with a maximum load of 50 kg.

Technical details and what to watch for

• Menabo Tema Aluminium bar capacity: 50 kg. The set weighs 5.2 kg.
• Calculation for the Evoque roof: the manual allows 75 kg on the road, and with bars that are not Land Rover the weight of the bars counts towards the load, so 75 - 5.2 = 69.8 kg remain. The real limit remains that of the bars, 50 kg, minus the accessory (a 20 kg box leaves at most 30 kg for luggage).
• The Evoque manual asks for the load to be distributed evenly, without exceeding the bars, and for the fixing to be checked after the first 50 km. Off-road the limit drops to 50 kg, and the manual does not recommend off-road driving with a loaded roof.
• With a box or a bike rack on the bars, measure the total height before entering underground car parks.
• The instruction manual is included in the box.

Frequently asked questions

Which roof bars fit the 5-door Range Rover Evoque L538?

On the 5-door Land Rover Range Rover Evoque L538 (2011-2018), which has no roof rails, you use bars that attach to the body with a vehicle-specific kit. We fitted Menabo Tema Aluminium for the Evoque L538, with 4 fitting kits made for this model.

How much weight can I put on the roof of a Range Rover Evoque L538?

The Range Rover Evoque manual gives 75 kg on the road and 50 kg off-road for the roof rack system approved by Land Rover. With Menabo Tema Aluminium roof bars the practical limit is 50 kg, the capacity of the bars, and the weight of the fitted accessory is deducted from it.

Can I fit a roof box with T-track fitting on the Menabo Tema Aluminium bars on the Evoque?

Yes, the Menabo Tema Aluminium bars on the Range Rover Evoque L538 have a 20 mm T-track on top, suitable for T-track fitting. Accessories with U-bolt fitting can be fixed on the outside of the bar.

Do roof bars make noise on a Range Rover Evoque at high speed?

Any bar on the roof changes the aerodynamics of the car, but the oval profile of the Menabo Tema bars creates less drag than a square one. Menabo recommends a maximum of 130 km/h with the bars fitted. Details in the guide Why do my roof bars make noise while driving.

We are waiting for you in the showroom

If you have a Range Rover Evoque and want roof bars, a roof box or a bike rack for the roof, our showroom is at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania. You can choose from roof bars and roof boxes, and for questions, 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 - Why do my roof bars make noise while driving · product pages on suportbicicleta.ro