Land Rover’s LRX Concept took centre stage at the 2008 British International Motor Show in July after making its world debut at the
Detroit Motor Show in January.
The three-door LRX, with its more compact size, lighter weight and
sustainability-focused technologies, reflects Land Rover’s commitment
to the environment.
Unmistakably, Land Rover, the LRX concept is bold and decisive yet takes the brand into a new market segment.
Compact and Premium
Crossover
Impeccable, Premium Interior
Clever use of space
Sustainable Product Design
Compact and Premium
Described as a cross-coupé, the LRX is smaller than the Freelander 2
/ LR2, but is very much a premium car, designed to appeal to new
customers in the luxury and executive sector – those who want many of
the benefits of a 4x4 and the presence of a larger vehicle, but in a
more compact package.
Land Rover design cues include bold new interpretations of the
signature clamshell bonnet, the floating roof and the solid
‘wheel-at-each-corner’ stance.
Its compact size contributes to its lower weight and the reduced
aerodynamic drag resulting from the smaller frontal area give
significant gains in fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions.
The LRX concept also adopts intelligent power management systems and
other technologies first shown by Land Rover in the Land_e concept in
2006.
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Crossover
A subtle move from traditional SUV to crossover, with its more car-like appearance and dynamics that are sportier and on-road biased, LRX also promises the widest breadth of capability in the class.
To help achieve this, LRX includes:-
- Full-time four-wheel drive
- Hill Descent Control
- A special version of Land Rover’s acclaimed Terrain Response system complete with a new ‘Eco’ mode for lower emissions during urban driving
- 20-inch alloy wheels
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Impeccable, Premium Interior
Compact but roomy, practical, versatile – and sophisticated. The impeccably executed cabin features a combination of soft leathers in rich tan and dark chocolate, with polished aluminium details.
The electronic display uses ‘floating’ LCD graphics to create a three-dimensional look that can be personalised for different drivers, as well as interacting with LRX’s touch-screen display. The instrument graphics present data in layers depending on their level of importance.
Further adding to LRX’s involving personality, the different drivetrain modes are matched by changes in the cabin’s background lighting colour – green in economy, red in sports and blue in standard mode.
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Clever Use of Space
Clever use of space makes LRX impressively roomy, and many neat design touches maximise its practicality. A second touch-screen area gives a fully interactive display and control for LRX’s iPhone docking facility. On either side of the horizontally-split, power-operated tailgate, removable and power-adjustable speakers include an iPod docking station. There is also a coolbox, plus a bottle chiller that can be clipped to the lowered tailgate. This also has integral aluminium cupholders between two padded seating areas, for a new twist on the idea of a traditional Land Rover tailgate lunch.
The clever, powered mechanism of the seat backs maximises interior flexibility and helps create a large, flat storage area when needed, complete with multiple tie-down options. The generous load space and through-loading option also help accommodate bikes, skis or surfboards.
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Sustainable Product Design
Luxurious the LRX most definitely is yet the new model incorporates Land Rover’s commitment to using and developing sustainable materials and products.
- The structures of the seats and instrument panel are elegant enough to be left exposed – so reducing vehicle weight
- Polycarbonate replaces glass for the side windows and roof which is around 40% lighter
- Vegetable-tanned leather is chromium-free and so better for recycling
- Extensive use of aluminium (both lightweight and readily recyclable)
- Carpeting made of felt from sustainable sources
- The luxurious, vanilla-coloured ‘fine suede’ on the door inserts and headliner is a 100% recycled material made from used plastic bottles
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