land rover LRX

Land Rover Announces First-Ever Front-Wheel Drive and Hybrid Models

Production 2011 Land Rover LRX rendering – Click above to enlarge

When you think of Land Rover, it's likely that scenes of bushwacking and overland travels spring to mind, and perhaps more recently, some of the most luxurious sport utility vehicles in the world. But the times, they are a'changing, and Land Rover needs to improve the efficiency of its brand of vehicles just the same as every other automaker the world over.

Hence, it should probably come as little surprise that the famous British marque has announced both its first-ever front-wheel drive model and its first-ever production hybrid. It remains to be seen whether or not the automaker is able to bake any off-road capabilities into its upcoming small Range Rover, which most of the world knows as the LRX.

Land Rover says the front-wheel-drive compact Range Rover will go on sale in 2011 and claims it will be the lightest and most fuel efficient vehicle the company has ever offered. Following two years later will be a hybrid version of the same vehicle that will pair a 3.0-liter diesel engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a large electric motor capable of powering the vehicle for 20 miles using no fossil fuels at all.

[Source: Land Rover]

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2011 Land Rover LRX to Debut at Paris Motor Show

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Production 2011 Land Rover LRX rendering – Click above to enlarge

Is the world ready for a kinder, gentler Sport Utility Vehicle? Land Rover is betting on it, and the rugged British off-road brand will reportedly debut its hotly anticipated LRX at the Paris Motor Show later this year. Shortly thereafter, the production LRX will make its North American debut in LA. According to Automotive News, the LRX will go on sale in the third quarter of 2011.

We first saw the LRX Concept at the 2008 edition of the Detroit Auto Show, where it was generally well received by both the press and the showgoing public. The LRX is expected to be Land Rover's most efficient model and is likely to be offered with some sort of hybrid powertrain.

Late last year, Autocar reported that Land Rover's first hybrid drivetrain would include a 3.0-liter diesel V6 engine mated up to a 25kW electric motor. The system would be a full parallel hybrid, meaning it could operate on any combination of gasoline or electricity using its onboard lithium ion battery pack.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req'd]

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Land Rover Confirms Small Range Rover for Production

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

Production Land Rover LRX rendering - Click above to enlarge

Land Rover has today confirmed what we've long expected – that 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 definitely will be wearing the Range Rover moniker and will therefore likely be marketed as a premium vehicle.

No details are given about the coupelike SUV's powertrain, but Land Rover does say the new vehicle "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 the press release.

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