Autoblog

REPORT: Land Rover to debut LRX next June for 2011 launch

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:39:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Crossover, Land Rover, Rumormill, Luxury

Land Rover LRX Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Land Rover is set to celebrate the first 40 years of its eminently capable Range Rover line next June. What better birthday present to itself than to unleash a new model that's set to bring its wares up to date with the modern realities of fuel efficiency and a reduced environmental impact?

The vehicle in question is the new Range Rover LRX, and Autocar in the U.K. is reporting that the small Rover will see its debut on June 17, 2010 with the first production models rolling down the line in early 2011. Styling both inside and out is expected to stay very close to the well-received LRX concept from the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.

Based on underpinnings shared with the Freelander (that's the LR2 here in the States), the LRX could feature a transverse engine driving the front wheels with the first application of the marque's e TERRAIN electric drive rear axle, a setup that is said to be capable of powering the rear wheels using battery power only at speeds up to 20 mph.

Gallery: Land Rover LRX Concept

[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: Land Rover to debut LRX next June for 2011 launch originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Compact hybrid Range Rover LRX gets green light

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Green, Crossover, Land Rover

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.

Gallery: 2008 Land Rover LRX Concept - Black & Silver

[Source: Auto Express]

REPORT: Compact hybrid Range Rover LRX gets green light originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Updated Land Rover Range Rover headed to Big Apple, more LRX details emerge

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, SUV, Crossover, Land Rover

Even in the face of an overall market for SUVs that's seen demand fall by over 50% over the last year alone, Land Rover's top-level Range Rover is keeping the British/Indian automaker afloat. Sales of the Range Rover - which boasts a starting price of $78,525 - are down only 17.8-percent for the first two months of the year. It's the smaller LR3 (down 28%) and entry-level LR2 (down a whopping 57%) that are dragging the automaker's overall sales figures (down 36.6%) into the mud.

Given its importance to the brand, word that an updated Range Rover is expected at next week's New York Auto Show is big news. Spy shots of the new Rover indicate that exterior changes won't be terribly dramatic for the model that was launched way back in 2002, but there should be big news under the hood, where we expect Jaguar's 5.0-liter all-aluminum V8 engine to take up residence.

Given how well the Range Rover name resonates with 4x4 buyers, it's not surprising to hear that the British company may badge its upcoming production version of the LRX concept (which debuted at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show) as a Range Rover. Like the concept upon which it's based, the new model will be a coupe-like take on the automaker's well-defined SUV theme. However, given the frequency with which consumers already often interchange "Land Rover" (the brand) and "Range Rover" (the model) - not to mention "Range Rover Sport" (the model) - this arrangement sounds potentially confusing. Further, given the LRX's more road-oriented mission, one has to wonder if branding the LRX as a "Range Rover" will serve to dilut the range-topping vehicle's hard-earned off-road equity...

Gallery: Land Rover LRX Concept

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd | Image: Auto Express]

REPORT: Updated Land Rover Range Rover headed to Big Apple, more LRX details emerge originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover attempting to keep LRX concept's interior intact

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Crossover, Land Rover

Click above for high-res gallery of the Land Rover LRX concept

The challenge automaker's face when they attempt to transition a concept vehicle to viable production model is making sure the elements that made it popular with show-goers remain. Case in point: the recently revealed (and repainted) Land Rover LRX concept. The new model is an attempt by Land Rover to show the marque's aggressive side with a sporty two-door SUV that could fill a hole between the Freelander and the LR3. While the exterior shouldn't be too far removed from the show vehicle save for some of the more conceptual elements, the interior is another story. Most automakers let designers run wild inside a concept and then neuter a car's innards on the way to market, but according the Autocar, Land Rover is hoping to keep as much of the concept's interior intact as it can. When Land Rover brings the LRX to market in 2010, we'll know if it succeeded.

Gallery: Land Rover LRX Concept - Black & Silver

Gallery: Land Rover LRX Concept

[Source: Autocar via Winding Road]

Land Rover attempting to keep LRX concept's interior intact originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2008: Land Rover LRX lights up Motor City

Drew Phillips — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:04:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, SUV, Land Rover

click above to view more high-res images of the Land Rover LRX Concept

While not as awe-inspiring as the Audi R8 V12 TDI or the Mazda Furai, Land Rover's LRX Concept still made waves in Detroit. Photos and details of the LRX were let loose a month ago, so we weren't too surprised at what was under the tarp. From afar, the 2-door mini-ute doesn't necessarily look impressive, but a closer look reveals some amazing details. Take for instance the "LRX" logo engraved in the tire tread, or the "Land Rover" inscribed taillights. And of course there's the interior, which lights up differently depending on how the vehicle is being used. Perhaps more importantly is what the LRX as a whole represents for the Land Rover brand. Future models will likely take on planet-saving characteristics of the LRX including reduced weight, improved fuel efficiency, and reduced CO2 emissions. Take a look at the live photos in the gallery below or follow the jump for the press release from Land Rover.

Gallery: Land Rover LRX Concept

Continue reading Detroit 2008: Land Rover LRX lights up Motor City

Detroit 2008: Land Rover LRX lights up Motor City originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Every angle of the Land Rover LRX

Alex Nunez — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 07:33:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, SUV, Land Rover

Click image for hi-res gallery

In case you missed it yesterday, the Land Rover LRX is the SUV coupe concept the British marque will introduce next month in Detroit. Based on the Freelander, it's shorter, lower, and exceptionally slick-looking. That goes for the interior, too, which uses ambient lighting to communicate what drive mode the truck's in. Red's for sport, green's for off-road, and blue's for normal. Here's hoping that somewhere, a green light's being lit regarding a production version as well. You can check out our original post here. The attached gallery is now stocked with all the currently available media shots as well. We'll crawl all over the LRX and give you firsthand impressions in a few weeks when we get to see it in the metal.

[Source: Land Rover]

Gallery: Land Rover LRX Concept

Pics Aplenty: Every angle of the Land Rover LRX originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Dec 2007 07:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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