Land Rover downsizes via LRX

Land Rover will use the upcoming Detroit motor show to unveil its vision of a compact SUV via this rakish design study -- dubbed the LRX concept.

Billed as a "bold evolution of Land Rover design" that signals the brand's shift into new areas of the market, the LRX is said to retain the marque's core values, among which are "breadth of capability".

"The three-door LRX, with its more compact size, lighter weight and sustainability-focused technologies, clearly addresses the needs of a changing world," says Land Rover.

"LRX is in every respect a Land Rover, but it's a very different Land Rover."

Its maker describes the LRX as a "cross-coupe" and the eventual production derivative -- expected by 2010 -- will be the smallest of Landies, slotting in below the existing Freelander 2.

It's the first all-new Land Rover since Gerry McGovern assumed the helm as the marque's design director, and there are some fresh styling elements, even though familiar cues such as the clamshell bonnet, 'floating roof' and wheel-at-each-corner stance remain.

Trainspotters will also notice the resemblance to the 2004 Range Stormer concept, which was a precursor to the current Range Rover Sport. As was the case then, expect the LRX's more radical design elements -- such as the heavily tapered roofline, 20-inch rims and slit-like headlights -- to be watered down for the showroom version,

McGovern says the LRX is a "Land Rover that would be comfortable on Bond Street or Fifth Avenue, but wouldn't flinch at getting its wheels dirty.

It signals a shift towards more enviro-friendly vehicles by Land Rover as it claims the vehicle's lighter weight (vis-à-vis the brand's other models) and reduced aerodynamic drag resulting from its smaller frontal area will yield greater fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.

No details about the powertrain or other "sustainability technologies" have as yet been announced, but these will be revealed when the LRX is publicly unveiled at next month's Detroit show.

Although more car-like than its larger Land Rover siblings, the manufacturer is promising greater off-road ability than is the norm in the compact SUV class. To help achieve this, the LRX has full-time 4WD, Hill Descent Control and a new version of Land Rover's Terrain Response with a so-called 'Eco' mode that lowers emissions when trundling around town.

The interior is ultra-funky in execution, with 'floating' LCD graphics designed to create a three-dimensional look and an interactive touch-screen display. There's also 'mood lighting' that tailors the cabin's background colour to the drivetrain mode -- green in economy, red in sports and blue in standard mode.

There's an additional touch-screen display for the central iPhone docking station and on either side of the horizontally split tailgate, removable and power-adjustable speakers include an iPod docking station.

The load area is said to be capable of accommodating bikes, skis or surfboards, adding to the LRX's credentials as a lifestyle vehicle.

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