Land Rover LRX Concept
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Despite the turmoil surrounding the brand, Land Rover unveiled its LRX concept at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. Parent-company Ford has been shopping both its Land Rover and Jaguar subsidiaries, and those British marques likely will fall into the hands of Indian manufacturer Tata Motors sometime in early 2008.
The LRX is a two-door crossover SUV that's smaller in size than Land Rover's current entry-level vehicle, LR2. It has several of the marque's signature styling cues, including the clamshell hood and "floating" roof. LRX's focus, though, is not all-out off-road capability like it is on the larger LR3 and Range Rover. The concept still has a full-time four-wheel-drive system for all-weather traction, as well as hill descent control that limits speeds when moving down steep slopes. It also employs a revised version of Land Rover's Terrain Response System designed to optimize traction on different road surfaces, including wet grass, gravel, snow, and ice. LRX's system includes an "Eco" mode that's supposed to offer lower emissions in urban commuting. Other environmentally-friendly features include vegetable-tanned leather (which doesn't contain dangerous chromium), extensive use of aluminum, and a suede-like material on the door inserts made from recycled plastic bottles. The powertrain consists of a turbodiesel/electric hybrid that Land Rover officials say will get 50 miles per gallon. The hybrid system also supplements the all-wheel drive hardware to further improve traction.
No pricing or definitive production plans were announced at the show. With the premium compact SUV market predicted to continue growing, it's quite possible an LRX-inspired production model could see the light of day. Then again, with the impending sale of Land Rover, it's unclear as to what any new ownership will do. Stay tuned.
