I’ve always been a Land Rover fan.
More specifically, I’m a Range Rover enthusiast — I own two — and I thoroughly enjoy the experience.
My good friend Dan from Greenbang just sent me news of Land Rover’s latest addition coming soon, the LRX.
Here it is:
Interesting.
It’s 3-door. It’s shorted than the Freelander 2 / Land Rover 2, lower — but it’s still 4×4, still properly capable off-road… and it’ll run on bio-diesel:
LRX is conceived as a highly fuel-efficient, US Federal-specification, 2.0-litre, turbodiesel hybrid, capable of running on bio-diesel. In combination with other Land Rover technologies, this powertrain could reduce fuel consumption by as much as 30% compared with other 4×4s of comparable size, and reduce emissions to approximately 120 g/km.
It sports ERAD — Electric Rear Axle Drive — which means that, at low speeds, the car will use electric drive…
…while retaining full (even improved) 4×4 ability in tough conditions. Unlike the hybrid technology used by some 4×4 rivals, Land Rover’s unique solution retains mechanical drive to all four wheels.
Come ON! I like that A LOT.
Off-road, ERAD is good news:
Off-road, the ERAD would provide additional torque only when it is needed, and with maximum electrical torque from standstill, this solution offers even better low-speed control and enhanced pull-away on difficult surfaces (such as packed snow or wet grass) or when towing.
And on-road, it’s even better:
On the road, the ERAD would allow low-speed traffic creep up to 20 mph (32 km/h) on electric power alone, with the Integrated Starter-Generator (ISG) function re-starting the engine automatically when needed. The electric drive would then continue to assist the mechanical drive until the engine is running in its most efficient range, benefiting both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Did anyone say ‘iPhone Dock’?
Although LRX is compact, clever use of space makes it 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.
Nice!
Yup, come 2011, I think we’ll be getting a few of these…
