Surprise! Land Rover confirms two-door LRX for production
Production Land Rover LRX rendering - Click above to enlarge
Land Rover has today confirmed what we've long expected – the popular LRX Concept from the 2008 edition of the Detroit Auto Show is headed for production. The British-born automaker doesn't actually say the new 'ute will be called the LRX when it hits the market in 2011, but it will definitely be wearing a Range Rover badge and therefore likely be marketed as a premium vehicle.
No details are given about the coupe-like SUV's powertrain, but Land Rover does say the it "will be the smallest, lightest and most efficient vehicle the company has ever produced." Previous reports have suggested the production LRX will share underpinnings with the LR2 (a.k.a. the Freelander) and will be offered with an optional all-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain that may use an electric motor to power the rear wheels and a transverse engine underhood driving the front wheels.
Judging from the lone rendering released with this announcement, the basic shape from the LRX Concept should survive mostly intact, perhaps gaining a slightly more pronounced front fascia to go along with the production-necessary external door handles. Expect more details to filter out at the beginning of 2010, but in the meantime, click past the break for Land Rover's official press release.
Gallery: Land Rover LRX Concept
[Source: Land Rover]
PRESS RELEASE
SMALL RANGE ROVER CONFIRMED FOR PRODUCTION
Gaydon, Warwickshire, 24 September 2009 – Land Rover has confirmed today that a production version of its exciting LRX concept car will be built. The new car will debut next year and join the Range Rover line-up in 2011.
Designed and engineered at Land Rover's state of the art Gaydon facility, the new Range Rover will be the smallest, lightest and most efficient vehicle the company has ever produced.
The new car will be built at the multi award-winning plant in Halewood, on Merseyside, subject to quality and productivity agreements and will be sold in over 100 countries around the world.
Phil Popham, managing director of Land Rover said: "The production of a small Range Rover model is excellent news for our employees, dealers and customers. It is a demonstration of our commitment to investing for the future, to continue to deliver relevant vehicles for our customers, with the outstanding breadth of capability for which we are world-renowned."
"Feedback from our customer research also fully supports our belief that a production version of the LRX Concept would further raise the desirability of our brand and absolutely meet their expectations." Phil added.
Gerry McGovern, Land Rover design director said "The new vehicle will be a natural extension to the Range Rover line-up, complementing the existing models and helping to define a new segment. It will be true to the concept and have many recognisable Range Rover design cues including the signature clamshell bonnet, the floating roof and the solid 'wheel-at-each-corner' stance."
More details of the new small Range Rover will be released next year.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
btyler227 12:41PM (9/24/2009)
Cool, but will my iPhone start it like the concept?
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Rich 2:04PM (9/24/2009)
More importantly, will mine?
rock_on21 12:46PM (9/24/2009)
good! i applaud them for doing so
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Brody 12:47PM (9/24/2009)
2 door SUV...That doesn't even sound good on paper.
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vespid82 12:56PM (9/24/2009)
Ford Bronco, Ford Bronco II, Ford Explorer Sport, K-Blazer / Tahoe / Yukon, S-10 Blazer / GMC Jimmy (and the Typhoon, yum), Dodge Ramcharger, Isuzu VehiCROSS, Isuzu Amigo / Rodeo Sport, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Toyota RAV4, Toyota 4Runner, Geo Tracker / Suzuki Sidekick, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder. Oh and what do you know, the LAND ROVER FREELANDER. It's not exactly an unexplored market. Not all of us have (or want) families with a bunch of offspring to tote around. I use condoms for a reason, lol
Rich 2:04PM (9/24/2009)
Jeez vespid82, you missed one very important one:
The original Range Rover!
garland823 5:15PM (9/24/2009)
Defender 90, original Discovery (before it came to the US market). I hate seeing LR continuing to go down this road.
vespid82 12:48PM (9/24/2009)
Um... I assumed that's what THIS was about... a month ago.- http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/report-land-rover-to-debut-lrx-next-june-for-2011-launch/
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Sofa King Fast! 12:48PM (9/24/2009)
To me it looks like an SUV version of the MINI .....too bad the MINI SUV won't look this good.
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KA 10:06PM (9/26/2009)
Amen. This is one of the most attractive cars in its (and really, any) class. I love how the headlights "hide" under the wheel arches then emerge continuously around the fender.
Level 12:56PM (9/24/2009)
maybe and X6 version of the Land Rover would prob sell more then a 2 door coupe SUV...
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vespid82 12:58PM (9/24/2009)
Probably, but I don't think a vehicle like this is about selling the highest volume. That's why I like it. :)
ello 12:56PM (9/24/2009)
Now this is what I am talking about. The hell with all the Q5s, GLKs, XC60s. This will be a class leader right there.
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hankwk 1:02PM (9/24/2009)
PLEASE keep the interior like that!!
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Rich 2:02PM (9/24/2009)
Oh please. Don't call it "coupe like" when it's a hatchback just because every other manufacturer is releasing their take on the Aztek.
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Rar 3:08PM (9/24/2009)
Design is good.
But i'm not sure landrover's quality and reliability.
They are always bottom.
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A.N.E. 4:39PM (9/24/2009)
Reminds me of the current Taurus fascia, which I like.
This is a nice design.
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P.V. 6:03PM (9/24/2009)
Bring it over as is!
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Shaggs 12:01AM (9/25/2009)
It's about TIME! Hopefully I can pick up one of the first ones. I really want one. Small SUV with Land Rover ability and amenities. It looks like a mini Range Rover Sport. I can't wait for the first pre-productions to hit the dealerships for premiers!
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Blake Luttrell 12:33AM (9/25/2009)
I really like it, and this is a great product for Land Rover, but I feel that putting the "Range Rover" name on it dilutes that particular brand.
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