Land Rover's striking LRX concept, which was one of the stars of the 2008 Detroit motor show (more here), will wear a Range Rover badge by the time the production version eventuates, according to UK's authoritative Autocar magazine.
"Our research of the LRX proved that if we can deliver the intent of the concept, it has got all the hallmarks of a Range Rover," Land Rover boss Phil Popham told Autocar.
The magazine also quoted Popham as saying the showroom reality will closely resemble the eye-catching concept's design and engineering.
Land Rover will next year begin taking orders for the vehicle, which its speculating will adopt a five-door configuration in production guise. However, flying in the face of Popham's above comments, the production LRX's roofline will also reportedly be higher than that of the rakish concept. If this is indeed the case, it will mirror the 'dumbing down' the 2004 Range Stormer concept underwent by the time it morphed into the showroom-ready Range Rover Sport.
Boosting economies of scale, the baby Landy will source its platform and much of its hardware from the existing Freelander 2 (more here).
Popham told Autocar the production version of the LRX would be the company's greenest offering to date, returning a fuel consumption figure of 3.9 litres/100km when equipped with a hybrid powertrain.
The Land Rover boss also confirmed the vehicle would be produced only in four-wheel-drive format to maintain Land Rover's go-anywhere brand values.
"The LRX concept delivers the powerful message that we are as serious about sustainability as we are confident about the continuing relevance and desirability of our vehicles," Popham said as the vehicle was unveiled at last year's Detroit show.
"LRX has unmistakable Land Rover design and the breadth of capability that you'd expect from our vehicles. But it carries those essentials into a segment where the brand has never been before, and with a proposed level of efficiency that would make it one of the cleanest vehicles in its class."
The concept was equipped with a special version of Land Rover's acclaimed Terrain Response system -- to optimise traction on difficult surfaces ranging from icy roads to wet grass, gravel and snow -- but to reflect LRX's on-road bias, the system gained a new 'Eco' mode for lower emissions during urban driving.
Reflecting Land Rover's newfound commitment to sustainability, the LRX featured vegetable-tanned leather (chromium-free, so better for recycling), extensive use of aluminium (both lightweight and readily recyclable) and carpeting made of felt from sustainable sources.
And the luxurious, vanilla-coloured 'fine suede' on the door inserts and headliner is said to be a 100 per cent recycled material made from used plastic bottles.
The UK Government has recently confirmed a grant offer of up to £27 million is to be made available to Land Rover for the production of the LRX.
-- with staff