Land Rover unveils its exciting vision for the future with the LRX concept, a bold evolution of Land Rover design that signals the brand's shift into new areas of the automotive market, while remaining true to its original values. It shows how serious Land Rover in its commitment to sustainable development through its new technologies, lightweight design and its components in phase with the environment.
THE CONCEPT OF LAND ROVER LRX
- A 4x4 high-end smaller and more desirable, which pushes the limits of "the range of talents" a traditional Land Rover
- Designed around a hybrid 2-liter turbodiesel corresponding to U.S. federal standards for CO2 emissions not exceeding 120 g / km
- Rover A bold evolution of Land Rover design, but still a genuine Land Rover
- It shows how serious Land Rover in its commitment to sustainable development through its new technologies, lightweight design and its components in phase with the environment
- Careful attention to detail and precision of their performance, stress claims upscale LRX
Land Rover unveils its exciting vision for the future the concept LRX, a bold evolution of Land Rover design that signals the brand's shift into new areas of the auto market, while remaining faithful to its original values. While Land Rover is preparing to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2008, the three-door LRX, more compact, lighter and with technologies designed for the environment, clearly addresses the needs of a changing world by offering, in board, not exceeding 120 g CO2 per km driven.
"The LRX concept will convey a strong message that we are serious in our commitment to sustainable development as confident in the fact that our vehicles are always desirable, while keeping in step with the times", says Phil Popham, Director General of Land Rover.
"The design of LRX is purely Land Rover, combined with the range of performance we expect from our vehicles. But it introduces the principles of our brand in a segment where it has never gone before, offering a level efficiency that would make it one of the cleanest vehicles in its class. It is a way for Land Rover said its responsible approach to future development of its products. At this stage, LRX is that a concept, it advances our thinking while allowing us to gauge the reactions of our customers. This is especially the symbol of a very exciting direction to take. "
COMPACT AND PREMIUM
The LRX is described as a cross-coupé and dramatically extends the spectrum of the Land Rover. Even if it is 149mm shorter than the Freelander 2 and below 205 mm it was designed as a luxury vehicle to attract new customers who want the benefits of a 4x4 and the presence visual of a larger vehicle, but in a more compact package.
This is the first new Land Rover revealed since Gerry McGovern took the helm of the design office. It is a natural extension of the range Land Rover as it complements the existing models by defining a new segment. His highly recognizable Land Rover design includes new daring interpretations of the famous cover enveloping the roof stepped and posture determined by "a wheel in each corner.
"The design of LRX was born from our passion for the brand, but it is different, relevant, engaging and exciting, because Land Rover has never built ordinary vehicle," says Gerry McGovern. "LRX has a very attractive personality and its design is strongly alluded to his abilities, while clearly underlining our forward-looking philosophy. It's a Land Rover that would be very comfortable on Bond Street in London or on 5th Avenue in New York, but would not be afraid of getting its wheels dirty. "
Its compact size is one of its greatest assets, attracting all those who want to enjoy the versatility of a 4x4 handy ally to the authenticity of the Land Rover name. In addition, its lower weight and reduced aerodynamic drag, thanks to its smaller front, should help to significantly reduce fuel consumption and C02 emissions.
A VERY EFFICIENT MOTOR
The LRX is designed around a turbodiesel hybrid engine 2 liter engine, very efficient in terms of consumption and capable of operating on bio-diesel to meet U.S. federal standards. Combined with other Land Rover technologies, this powertrain should reduce the consumption of 30% compared to other 4x4 of equal size, and reduce emissions to 120 g / km for the LRX.
The explanation for the superior efficacy of LRX is the combination of energy-saving mechanical and electrical energy to combine improvements in several areas. For example, the integrated electrical transmission to the rear axle (Integrated Electric Rear Axle Drive ERAD) provides particularly significant gains because it allows the LRX to propel itself solely on electricity at low speeds, while retaining all of its capacity (and more) in off-road use, for challenging conditions. Unlike the hybrid technology used by some 4x4 rivals, the solution adopted by Land Rover is to keep a power-driven four wheels.
In off-road use, the ERAD torque does not add only as needed and as the electric torque is maximum at a standstill, this solution provides even more control at low speeds and better traction to get out of a bad situation (like on the packed snow or wet grass) or tow.
On the road, the ERAD can run slowly until 30 km / h, by using only electric power, he can count on the "integrated starter generator (Integrated Starter-Generator, ISG ) "to restart the engine automatically when it becomes useful. From that time, electrical energy continues to assist the mechanical drive until the engine running at its ideal diet, with a double advantage: the fuel consumption and emissions C02.
Another advantage of the ISG, it is automatically stops the engine when the vehicle is stopped at a red light or in traffic, which prevents him from running for anything, and restarts smoothly, quickly whenever it is needed again.
The electric motor runs on energy stored in a dedicated pack of lithium-ion high-voltage and high capacity, totally independent of the normal supply by a 12 volt battery. This pack is recharged continuously by a system of transformation of energy released during braking, which also passes through the ERAD system.
LRX also comes with hill descent control (Hill Descent Control, HDC) and Terrain Response, Land Rover-exclusive that optimizes drivability and comfort, while maximizing traction. On the LRX There are five possible settings, including the new mode 'Eco': planned for the road, this setting configures all the vehicle parameters to limit the consumption of fuel. The other four settings Terrain Response modes are 'sports' (also new), 'current conduct', 'sand' and 'grass / gravel / snow' (a single program for all those slippery surfaces).
A 'RANGE OF TALENT, MORE COMPREHENSIVE
The positioning of LRX could be described as moving subtly from traditional SUV to crossover, with a look more like a car driving dynamics and more sports-oriented road use. But while its character is underlined by his agility, his excellent behavior and performance, LRX also promises to have the most extensive capabilities in its class.
His profile is very dynamic, with a significant setback to the roof line tapering and a lower extended over the entire length of the car, accentuated by the raised waistline. The glass surface envelops the whole LRX, with no exposed pillars, which helps a bold design. The internal architecture of the top of the body can be guessed through the windows and roof, as in the best contemporary buildings.
Pushing the wheels to the four corners, we gave the new model in this posture determined. The design of the front is a strong affirmation and instantly recognizable identity Land Rover. The carefully sculpted corners reduce the impression many overhangs front and rear.
This brand new Land Rover diesel engine was developed specifically for Range Rover, jointly by engineers at Land Rover and Ford. It is manufactured in the factory high-tech diesel engines available to the Ford Motor Company in Dagenham, England.
There are also new interpretations of cover enveloping another brand Land Rover headlights so characteristic grille and perforated two-bar. The turn signals, front and rear, seem to come straight out of a jeweler. The LRX's wheel arches are wide but very well integrated into the whole, to house 20-inch wheels of polished steel.
Among the other eye to detail, there is additional finishes, Polished aluminum on the hood and side vents. As for the external door handles, they are hidden in the roundness of the body. These seem to show more graphic details of the smooth surfaces of the body rather than just placed on the surface. As for the color white frosted "specially developed for LRX and its depth visual highlights even more the forms of the car.
AN INDOOR HIGH END PERFECT
The interior of the LRX concept clearly demonstrates how a compact Land Rover can still be roomy, practical and versatile, but still very sophisticated. The impeccably executed cabin combines soft leather and weathered, dark, with clearer details , polished aluminum, while the visible structures of the seats, dashboard and roof add to the very original look while contributing to weight loss.
The architecture of the center console, vertical, reflects the LRX's sporting qualities, like the double dial located above the dashboard. The electronic device uses liquid crystal diode (LCD) to create three-dimensional graphics can be customized according to the driver, while communicating with the LRX's touch screen.
Gauges present information in layers depending on their importance, to give maximum relevant information with minimal disruption to the driver. When it is necessary, the information moves from the main dashboard touch screen. And to add to the LRX's engaging personality, the different modes of 'Terrain Response' is associated with changes in color for the mood General interior: green mode 'Eco', red in sports mode and blue driving current, or ATV.
INTELLIGENT USE OF SPACE
Although LRX is compact, clever use of space makes it impressively roomy, with the added bonus of many intelligent design touches maximize its practicality. A second fully interactive touch screen controls the iPhone plugged into the special port of LRX. On each side of the tailgate in two parts, high and low electric opening, detachable speakers electrically adjustable and are equipped with a port for iPod. It is also possible to attach to the lower tailgate cooler and a refrigerator in bottles. It also houses two padded seats separated by aluminum compartments for drinks, just to further develop the original idea of 'Picnic Land Rover.
Full details of the interior design combine to maximize both space and roominess. The clear roof is supported by a frame, spider, leading to both front legs, while the four back legs are pierced with windows opening to further enhance the visibility and general acceptance of the cockpit.
The LRX's very special seats 'float' on individual trays are placed on open frameworks to further enhance the impression of an interior light and airy, while creating valuable storage areas beneath the seats and under the floor. The adjustment mechanism of electric articulated seat backs, particularly intelligent, maximizes the flexibility of the interior and create a large load space completely flat when needed. When the rear seats are folded forward, two mountain bikes can be stowed behind, standing, with front wheels removed and placed in special compartments in the floor. Another option, skis and surfboards can be carried into the generous load space, a myriad of options for hanging to the floor everything is transported, and also a loading hatch through the rear seat.
"A flexible loading capacity is fundamental to the concept of LRX," says Gerry McGovern. This meets the demands of new clients who would be attracted by this type of vehicle. They will appreciate the versatility of LRX, while acknowledging that it has been assembled with as much precision as possible ".
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT DESIGN
The structures of seats, roof and instrument panel are just a new approach that Land Rover designers have taken to reduce the weight of the LRX. A further example is the replacement of the side windows and roof with polycarbonate supplied by SABIC Innovative Plastics, lighter than 40%. Among the other advantages of polycarbonate, it blocks almost all ultraviolet rays (which prevents the interior materials deteriorate in the sun). Furthermore, a nano-technology specifically built into the polycarbonate reduces the effect of infra-red, thereby maintaining the freshness of the interior.
Even the choice of materials used for finishes, top quality, reflects Land Rover's deep thinking on sustainable development, with tanned leather "with plant products (chromium-free, so better for recycling) extensive use of aluminum (both lightweight and readily recyclable) and carpeting made of felt from sustainable development. As for the luxurious vanilla-colored suede placed inside doors and ceiling border, is a 100% recycled fibers from plastic bottles and used cars.
"We are committed to making sustainable development a central element of our future product design and the way we do business, while creating vehicles that combine a strong power of attraction with an emotional capacity to meet the practical needs of people "says Phil Popham. "No single technology can meet the many challenges of sustainable development, but the LRX concept brings together many ideas that are of great interest for the future. This car symbolizes the exciting path to be followed by Land Rover to keep moving forward."
SPECIFICATIONS
- Length: 4351 mm
- Width (excluding mirrors): 1895 mm
- Width (with mirrors): 2083 mm
- Height: 1535 mm
- Wheelbase: 2660 mm
- Engine (proposed): 2-liter turbodiesel (U.S. standards)
- CO2 emissions (potential): 120 g / km Mixed cycle (European Standard)