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By
EWAN KENNEDY
3 March 2008
This sleek, untra-stylish machine from Land Rover is part
coupe, part off-road 4WD, and all clean and green.
Though it looks positively futuristic, the Land Rover LRX
Concept could be a lot closer to reality than you might think.
During a flying visit to Melbourne to introduce the LRX Concept at
the Motor Show, Julian Thomson, the Studio Director of Land Rover
Advanced Design in the UK hinted just that.
Though the body looks low and sleek, perhaps even impractical,
that’s an optical illusion. For example, what appears to be a
roof that slopes severely at the rear, in actual fact isn’t that
much different to that of the typical European station wagon of
the early 21st century. The rising belt line not only gives that
deceptive low-slung appearance, but also makes the LRX look almost
like a chop-top.
Then there's the narrow lights at the front and a bonnet that
looks very Land Rover in its shape. Wouldn’t the LRX look just
great on the road!
The Land Rover's cabin is set up as a four-seater premium coupe
using fascinating lines in high-quality materials. It could be
finished as a five-seater, but somehow that would get away from
the purity of the coupe theme. Inside, the Concept has flip-out
audio speakers, docking for an iPod and even a champagne cooler
and lighting on the floor that can be changed according to your
mood!
LRX Concept is aimed at more than just looking futuristic, it’s
also there to show that cars can be clean and green. Power could
come from a diesel-electric hybrid power plant, that could even
run on bio-diesel made from crops. Emission levels would be kept
to just 120 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre, or less than
half of the from many modern SUVs.
Land Rover LRX could be used for short distance running purely
on electricity, for examples in closed car parks or outside
neighbour’s homes when you leave early of a morning.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Land Rover without true off-road
ability. There's drive to all four wheels, with the diesel engine
driving to all corners, but the battery only to the rear. The
latter to recover scavenged momentum to provide extra urge when it’s
needed. Short overhangs and good ground clearance are part of the
package.
Land Rover LRX Concept, if (when?) it arrives, will open up a
whole new niche in the automotive market. A cross between a classy
coupe and a competent off-road runner will appeal to a respectable
number of buyers.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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