Land Rover LRX Concept: New Design, New Approach

Motoring Channel Staff - 14/January/2008

Gaydon, England — Meet the new Land Rover LRX Concept, which made its global debut at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show in the States.

The new Land Rover LRX Concept is essentially a 3-door performance SUV, not unlike the new BMW X6 Concept.

Land Rover's LRX Concept is the precursor to a new compact sports model, and is powered by... Okay, it seems we don't have that information.

What we do know is that it looks very futuristic, particularly the front end design and headlights which combine a range of LED and xenon illumination to great effect. The new slim line design cues seen on the vehicle will pave the way for a much sharper design language across the entire Land Rover range.

The new 4x4 concept car is a vision of Land Rover's future, and "a bold evolution of Land Rover design that signals the brand's shift into new areas of the market, while remaining true to its core values" according to the leaked press release. 

Described as a cross-coupé, Land Rover's smallest model could be on sale by 2010 and is designed to appeal to new customers in the luxury and executive sector who want the high riding position of a 4WD, but the compactness of an urban vehicle: the LRX measures just 4.35 metres in length

As Gerry McGovern's first project since became the company's design director, his job is on the line here. If the general consensus towards the LRX is negative, it could be dire. But McGovern is upbeat: "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.

Making its first public appearance at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show, the interesting new vehicle is aimed at affluent executives, says 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."

Land Rover is holding back details of the LRX's drivetrain, but says it will use "intelligent power management systems" and that "further details of LRX's powertrain and sustainability technologies will be released at the Detroit Show." 

Even Phil Popham, Land Rover's managing director, says that his company is "...determined to make sustainability a key element in our future product design and the way we do business..."

Does this mean it's a hybrid petrol-electric vehicle? We'll know soon enough.

Land Rover claims that while the LRX will be able to get its wheels muddy, the vehicle will be more of a daily driver, an on-road rather than an off-road vehicle. It will still get full-time four-wheel drive and aids like Hill Descent Control and a version of the company's Terrain Response system, yet also gains a new 'Eco' mode for lower emissions driving on the freeway and through cities.

Sitting on 20-inch wheels, the Land Rover LRX Concept is not shy, and also features a premium interior with acres of leather, twin LCD touch screen displays and other luxury appointments.

Phil Popham, Land Rover's managing director, sums it up nicely: "LRX is in every respect a Land Rover, but it’s a very different Land Rover."

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- Range Rover Sport (2005)
- Land Rover Discovery 3 (2005)
- Land Rover Discovery (2005)