REPORT: Compact hybrid Range Rover LRX gets green light
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Jun 24th 2009 at 6:57PM 
Land Rover LRX Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Automakers that hope to continue doing business over the next few years need to be increasingly aware of their fuel consumption, emissions and environmental credibility. In deference to this fact, Auto Express in the U.K. is reporting that Land Rover is moving forward with plans to launch the new LRX compact hybrid 'ute, possibly with a bit of help from the U.K. government.
According to the report, Land Rover will borrow liberally from corporate partner Jaguar's hardware stable, which is rumored to soon include both hybrid and extended-range EV options. Land Rover's innovative electric drive rear axle is supposedly on the LRX menu, which would work along with the automaker's well-known and highly-effective Terrain Response System to put power to the ground wherever possible.
If there's any truth to these rumors, we shouldn't expect Land Rover to have the hybrid LRX in production until at least two years have passed. In the meantime, the British-built, Indian-owned automaker is set to debut stop/start and regenerative braking on all of its models to improve their environmental performance.
[Source: Auto Express]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kumail 7:01PM (6/24/2009)
This would be a awesome Transformer...
I love it.
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AndrewNoNumbers 7:14PM (6/24/2009)
I like that ride height.
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carztech 2:11AM (6/25/2009)
The Range Rover LRX is about the same length as the LR2 but the RR LRX will be positioned much higher up in the Land Rover product range and probably priced around the same as the new LR4. Land Rover has said that there will be a lot of customization options for the interior. As far as off-road capability, it is still a Land Rover and there might be a few new 4wd surprises that were not shown on the LRX Concept. On-road handling is also expected to be excellent. Various reports have also said the RR LRX will be available as a two door and a four door.
I hope they keep the split tailgate that was on the concept.
Here is the Range Rover LRX photo that Land Rover media officially released a few months ago with Range Rover badging. LINK: http://www.zercustoms.com/news/images/Land-Rover/Land-Rover-LRX-production.jpg
Taglane 7:17PM (6/24/2009)
yay
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sanjose 7:22PM (6/24/2009)
WHY?WHY?WHY?Why does Land Rover have to dilute the Range Rover name on this Freelander/LR2 class vehicle. The Range Rover Sport was pushing it but come on now, 3 Range Rovers in the Land Rover line-up? There are plenty of names out there.
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Enigmatic 8:32PM (6/24/2009)
Probably has something to do with market analysis and potential profits. I hate it when people whine about brand dilution. The only way to make more money is to make more vehicles that can compete in different markets. If they are using an established moniker (ie. Range Rover) to accomplish those ends then so be it. It is about money, not about some perceived notion of brand identity. I don't blame them one bit.
British_Rover 9:16PM (6/24/2009)
The average person, in America at least, doesn't even know Land Rover is a brand they only know about Range Rover or the think Range Rover is the brand and the Land Rover is a model within that brand.
I sold Rovers for years you don't have to believe me but it is the truth.
zamafir 10:37PM (6/24/2009)
um.... did you see how well the mini did when it was first released? this thing will sell like crazy, another premium hatchback with horrid reliability.
David 6:31AM (6/25/2009)
Zamafir: "Horrid Reliability"?
My MINI is 4 year old and I'd hardly call the reliability horrid. It's not had a single major issue! It's been extremely reliable, so far.
tuxchown 7:45PM (6/24/2009)
That's a very attractive vehicle. I hope they can do something about their reliability issues.
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jdoe 8:02PM (6/24/2009)
Yeah, that's what I want, a Land Rover with _more_ electrical problems. :rolleyes:
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J 8:03PM (6/24/2009)
Ford did a great job with this before they gave it to the Indians. I'm sure they will gladly take credit for it.
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yosh 3:32AM (6/25/2009)
Of course the Indians will take credit for this. They BOUGHT Jaguar Land Rover. Don't you know what that means? Platform? Indian. Designers? Indian. Manufactured in UK? Indian.
Indians are heaven-sent, they do everything best.
anonymous j 8:28PM (6/24/2009)
Where's the obligatory unwitty reference to the Lagonda, a vehicle that VAGUELY resembles this one? Or do only certain vehicles from certain countries get that treatment?
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Al 9:49PM (6/24/2009)
Didn't that concept also come out when Aston Martin was owned by Ford MotoCO? So, this point kind of moot in my book seeing as both could have had the same design team.
anonymous j 1:57AM (6/25/2009)
I was being sarcastic.
larry a 9:14PM (6/24/2009)
Big surprise..
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Dave 10:18PM (6/24/2009)
If they make it a bit smaller than a Tiguan, give it some decent performance, and keep it under 40k, it will sell like crazy in the 'States. This would make a seriously cool sport coupe for people who like to sit high off the ground. A GTI for the SUV set.
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zamafir 10:38PM (6/24/2009)
it is smaller, it does have decent performance, it is going to be LR's hatch.
aamirrez 11:02PM (6/24/2009)
Thanks for another great post
I have owned three range rovers over the years and would be extremely excited if this one is actually released... I have a blog that caters to automotive dealers where we wrote an interesting post about Range Rovers upcoming models. You can check them out here:
http://www.dealerrevenue.com
DealerOn, Inc. the parent company provide auto dealers with all sorts of marketing services but specializes in providing websites for car dealers.
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