Gaydon, Warwickshire, 15 February 2008 - Land Rover's acclaimed LRX
concept cross-coupe will make its European debut in Geneva at the 78e
Salon International de l'Auto (March 6-16, 2008), alongside the global
debut of the Defender SVX special edition, launched to mark Land Rover's
60th anniversary this year.
"The LRX diesel hybrid signals our ability to deliver Land Rover's
core values in a more compact and fuel efficient package. For now, LRX
remains a concept, designed to gauge public reaction, but the enthusiasm
generated since we first unveiled it in January makes me even more
certain that this would be a hugely exciting direction for us to take,"
says Phil Popham, Land Rover's managing director.
More immediately, the company is marking its 60th anniversary with
the special edition Defender SVX model, which goes on sale this spring.
The iconic Defender still bears a strong visual resemblance to its 1948
predecessor, but inside the SVX models boast satellite navigation,
Recaro seats and iPod compatibility.
Land Rover LRX concept
The LRX diesel hybrid concept represents a bold evolution of Land Rover
design that signals the brand's shift into new areas of the market,
while remaining true to its core values, such as breadth of capability.
The three-door LRX, with its compact size, lighter weight and
sustainability-focused technologies, addresses the needs of a changing
world and offers the potential of 120 g/km CO2 emissions, equivalent to
fuel economy of 60 mpg on a European combined drive cycle.
Though shorter and lower than the Freelander 2, the LRX is a premium
cross-coupé, 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.
The first all-new Land Rover revealed since Gerry McGovern became the
company's design director, LRX is a natural extension of the Land Rover
range, complementing the existing models and helping to define a new
segment. Its many recognisable Land Rover design cues include bold new
interpretations of the signature clamshell bonnet, the floating roof and
the solid 'wheel-at-each-corner' stance.
LRX is conceived as a highly fuel-efficient 2.0-litre turbodiesel
hybrid. In combination with other Land Rover technologies, this
powertrain could reduce fuel consumption by as much as 30% compared with
other 4x4s of comparable size. It incorporates an Electric Rear Axle
Drive (ERAD) which would allow the LRX to use electric drive alone at
lower speeds while retaining full (even improved) 4x4 ability in tough
conditions.
Defender SVX special edition
While most of the 25,000 Defenders produced each year are working tools
for everyone from farmers to aid agencies, the 60th anniversary SVX
special edition models are the most stylish and feature-packed versions
that Land Rover has ever produced.
With metallic black paintwork, the Defender SVX will be available in
the UK in 90 soft-top and station wagon versions. Each model will also
come fitted with an individually numbered plaque, i.e. 001. New exterior
features include a restyled grille surround, tubular side-steps, alloy
wheels, reinforced aluminium front undershield, clear-lens headlamps and
LED reverse/rear fog lights. The soft-top model is especially
eye-catching, with a metallic silver tubular cage that supports a
tailor-made, removable black fabric hood.
To bring the SVX interiors right up to date, they are equipped with
custom-designed Recaro front seats, distinctive alloy gear knobs, a new
audio system (with subwoofer and USB socket), iPod compatability and
Garmin satellite navigation.
Up to 300 SVX vehicles will be available in the UK, with a total of
1800 produced worldwide. Deliveries to customers will start from early
summer for soft-tops and later in the summer for station wagons. Prices
start from £30,495.
Source: landrover.com
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