First look: LRX heralds mini-Landie

WE SAW the first fleeting image of it at the Frankfurt motor show last September and now Land Rover has revealed comprehensive studio photographs of its first bite-sized off-roader.

Dubbed the LRX concept and due to appear at the Detroit motor show in January, the luxury three-door mini-SUV previews a forthcoming sub-Freelander model to go on sale by 2010.

Land Rover says its "more compact" off-roader "clearly addresses the needs of a changing world" as the company enters its 60th anniversary in 2008.

It claims the all-new model "extends the definition of 'breadth of capability'" and demonstrates the iconic British off-road brand's "seriousness about continued relevance and sustainability" by introducing new technologies, lightweight design and environmentally-responsible materials.

Taking a leaf out of the book of former owner BMW, Land Rover describes the LRX as a cross-coupe that will help define a new vehicle segment by appealing to new luxury and executive customers who "want many of the benefits of a 4x4 and the visual presence of a larger vehicle, but in a more compact package".

Smaller than Freelander but claimed to be equally "premium", the first all-new Land Rover to be revealed since Gerry McGovern became the company's design director features new interpretations of LR's signature clamshell bonnet and floating roof.



"LRX is a design born out of passion for the brand, but it is different, relevant, engaging and exciting - because Land Rover has never built ordinary cars," said Mr McGovern. "LRX has a highly desirable identity 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." Motivated by "intelligent power management systems" and other technologies first shown by Land Rover in the Land_e concept in 2006, LR says the LRX's smaller size, lower weight and reduced frontal provide significnt gains in fuel economy and CO2 emission reduction.

"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. "The LRX is in every respect a Land Rover, but it's a very different Land Rover.

"LRX has unmistakable Land Rover design and the breadth of capability that you'd expect from our vehicles. But it carries those essentials into a segment where the brand has never been before, and with a proposed level of efficiency that would make it one of the cleanest vehicles in its class. "It is Land Rover's way of affirming the brand's responsible approach to future product development. "At this stage, LRX is purely a concept, designed to help us develop our thinking as well as gauge customer reaction - but this feels like a hugely exciting direction to take." LR says its smallest model will offer both agility and performance, as well as the widest breadth of capability in its class. Aiding this will be full-time four-wheel drive and hill descent control, plus a specific version of Land Rover's Terrain Response.

Reflecting the LRX's bitumen bias, the latter will comprise an 'Eco' mode for lower-emission urban driving. A similar stop-start system will be fitted as standard to the Freelander TD4 manual from 2009, and is claimed to reduce fuel consumption from 7.5L/100km to 6.8L/100km and CO2 emissions by seven per cent.

Whether the LRX's pillarless side profile, tapered indicator clusters, side vents and 20-inch alloys appear on the production vehicle remain to be seen. Also present is a two-bar perforated grille and door releases concealed in the car's shoulders.

An eventual rival for Volkswagen's Tiguan and Audi's eventual Q3, the LRX showcar also comprises exposed seat and instrumnt panel structures to save weight - the same reason the car's roof and side window glass is replaced by polycarbonate.

Chromium-free vegetable-tanned leather, the extensive use of recyclable and lightweight aluminium and carpeting made of felt from sustainable sources further the LRX's green credentials, as does the vanilla-coloured 'fine suede' on the door inserts and headliner,produced from 100 per cent recycled material made from used plastic bottles.