14 Jan 08
Land Rover's 'baby' SUV concept, the LRX, is a small and sporty three-door diesel hybrid that the company says shows 'a vision of its future'.
Considerably smaller than the Freelander, this 'cross-coupe' is nonetheless intended to be a premium-class product, capturing much of the cachet of the Range Rover in a compact package.
'LRX has a highly desirable identity,' said design director Gerry McGovern, 'and the design alludes strongly to its capability, while clearly underlining our forward-looking philosophy - it's a Land Rover that would be comfortable on Bond Street or Fifth Avenue, but wouldn't flinch at getting its wheels dirty.'
But it's under the stylish skin where the real innovation lies. The LRX boasts the firm's first application of its next generation diesel hybrid technology first revealed on the 2006 Land Rover Land_e e-Terrain Technology Concept.
Land Rover claims that the LRX boasts CO2 emissions of just 120g/km, thanks to the show car's efficient diesel 2.0-litre hybrid drivetrain and the LRX's aerodynamic shape, small size and low weight and an 'eco mode' for the Terrain Response 4x4 system during urban driving.
'The LRX concept delivers the powerful message that we are as serious about sustainability as we are confident about the continuing relevance and desirability of our vehicles,' said Land Rover managing director Phil Popham. 'LRX is in every respect a Land Rover, but it's a very different Land Rover.'
Full-time four-wheel-drive will feature, along with systems such as Hill Descent Control and Terrain Response traction control, as in current production Land Rovers. For all its car-like appearance, it will have 'the widest breadth of capability in the class', says Land Rover.
It may be small, but the LRX is not modest: it sits on 20" alloy wheels and its interior is tricked out to appeal to the most demanding of luxury car buyers. Land Rover promises 'a combination of soft leathers in rich tan and dark chocolate', polished aluminium details, 3-D-look liquid-crystal displays and touch-screens, and ambient lighting (which can shine green in 'economy' mode, red during sporty driving and blue the rest of the time). Backing up the eco claims, however, the vegetable-tanned leather upholstery is recyclable, as is the sustainable-source felt carpeting, the vanilla-coloured mock suede used on the door inserts and a headlining made from recycled plastic bottles. The side windows are made from lightweight polycarbonate, instead of conventional glass. The LRX's open-framed seats are attached to the centre console and individual plinth-mountings, giving a 'floating' effect and allowing for extra under-seat and under-floor storage areas. A clear (polycarbonate) roof adds to the light, airy atmosphere, as do glazed sections in the rear-quarter pillars - also an aid to all-round vision.
Equipment includes iPhone and iPod docking stations, a coolbox and a bottle chiller that can clip onto the lowered talilgate: this splits horizontally and folds out flat to provide a seating area - complete with padded cushions and integral cupholders. The cabin seats fold flat to allow load space for bikes, skis, surfboards and suchlike.
Land Rover is expected to announce whether the LRX will progress to production early in the new year.
Related links
Interview: Land Rover design director Gerry McGovern
Motor Show: Detroit 2008
