2008 Land Rover LRX Concept
Land Rover's profits may be looking green, but as it currently stands its product
range isn't. Besides diesel power, which is unavailable in North America, Land Rover doesn't have much to offer in the way of eco-friendliness. The Ford-owned British brand has been called environmentally unfriendly by Greenpeace and other organizations, which has helped land it in the news in a rather unfavorable light. And although Land Rover has done very well for itself in recent times, with the new LR2, Range Rover Sport and other core products, it hasn't been caught up in itself for being one of the most sought after brands and therefore is serious about the need for something that'll tread a little lighter on pavement and out in the wilderness. Indeed, for the North American International Auto Show, Land Rover will be showing off its greener side, with a vehicle that's putting in an effort to reduce and reuse.
As much as the LRX is a concept car that suggests a greener page to the Land Rover book, it's also a concept regarding style and image. You see, Land Rover is a bit like Jaguar in terms of its styling. Although generations pass, its product lineup still looks remarkably the same, only they don't
look quite as “ye olde English” as they used to. The LRX will do to Land Rover what the XF is about to do to Jaguar's conservative image, in that it will carve out a new look and a new image without ditching decades of design cues such as the clamshell hood, the blacked out pillars, the split tailgate and the so-called floating roof. But everything else is different, penned in a more daring way than you'd ever come to expect from a vehicle wearing the Land Rover badge. Viewed from the side, the slanted roof and rising beltline create a powerful profile that focuses on the trapezoidal section of dark tinted glass cut out from vanilla-colored bodywork. Modern art? Cutting-edge architecture? You decide.
Credit must be given to Land Rover's new designer Gerry McGovern, who took up the task for giving the LRX such a clever exterior from former designer Geoff Upex. It is one thing to make an SUV look like a wedgey sports car, but an entirely different thing to convey the principles and design language of a brand like Land Rover, while improving aerodynamics.
The magic of good design has the LRX still conveying the sturdy posture of classic Land Rovers, but with a reduced frontal surface area it can cut through the air with less resistance, meaning better fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions. Big, clunky door handles, large mirrors and protruding pillars are components that have typified Land Rovers since the beginning, and while they would look at home on the LRX they are sleeker, hidden or smoothed out once again in the name of bettering aerodynamics.
As the world's premiere luxury off-roading brand, there are expectations when it comes to interior design, and the LRX is unlikely to let anyone down. The interior is primarily finished in brown and tan-colored leather with plenty of aluminum accent pieces. Seating for four is done via well-bolstered floating seats with a flat floor for under-seat storage and ample storage space. A new, almost Volvo-like interpretation has been given to the center console, showing a new side of Land Rover, while the 3D-style LCD instrument panel is part science fiction
and part show-car glam.
Given its environmental friendly attitude, the LRX contains quite a few not-so-obvious green touches, many to do with the materials used in the cabin. Recycled polycarbonate plastics replace the glass, while the suede on the doors isn't made from any animal, but from 100-percent recycle plastic bottles. Even the leather is special in that it's been treated with vegetable-based tanning agents. It's convincing looking and will surely be convincing to the fingertips too. Depending on the modes that the LRX is being driven in, the ambient lighting changes color; in sports mode it glows red, in economy mode it glows green and under regular driving it's blue.
Although the LRX is going to be a more eco friendly vehicle, Land Rover hasn't budged on its position that every vehicle it makes must have class-leading off-road capability. Permanent four wheel drive is how power gets to the ground in the LRX, although the driver can use
a version of the brand's famed Terrain Response system to tackle tougher trails. With settings for grass, snow / ice, mud ruts and sand, it simplifies off-roading, but there's a new option set out for the LRX – Eco, which will provide better fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions when driving in town. The Terrain Response interface receives an update, with a twist-knob that pops up, much like the new JaguarDrive shift knob.
The interesting thing about the LRX is that it's very likely to spawn something real. The LR2 only serves to replace half the of the old Freelander's range, namely the five-door “hardback” station wagon version. The LRX, with its smaller dimensions, would cater to those who want something a little more fun, and who knows, a convertible version may even follow. Sources are saying that an LRX production model will be based off of the LR2's mechanical components and powertrains. After all, the concept vehicle is only a mere 0.4 inches smaller than an LR2; the big visual leap is in the reduced body height that's nearly 10 inches.
Importantly, Land Rover will make the production version of the LRX as a way of leveraging its
environmental friendliness. Right from the start reports state that it'll come with an idle-stop system, which will immediately cut back on consumption and emissions in the city. Following it, Land Rover will debut its first hybrid, which will be integrated into the production LRX. Look for it to begin production sometime in 2009 at the Halewood factory, which currently assembles the LR2 / Freelander. Once the production of the Jaguar X-Type is finished, there will be plenty of room for Land Rover to crank out these little utes.
As discouraging as it may be, in this industry it is commonplace to hear statements along the line that the Jaguar and Land Rover duo is kept afloat due to the popularity of SUVs, and who's going to argue considering Land Rover's sales have been consistently on the up and up versus Jaguar's never-ending red-bathed slide. What can be said is that if Land Rover doesn't change, sales projections in the more green-conscious future may not be so rosy. By planning vehicles like the LRX and keeping things fresh, new and modern in the compact luxury class, what's ramping up to be the hottest segment, Land Rover should not have any problems maintaining its positive momentum.