What is it? Land Rover unveiled what is the second concept vehicle in the brand's history, the LXR. (The previous concept lead to the Range Rover Sport, so it would be wise to take this one seriously.) This two-door SUV is presented in Detroit to gauge consumer reaction, like all concepts, though officials said that should it go to production, the intent would be to closely resemble the show-floor example.
Several inches shorter in length and height than the LR2, the LXR is a premium, off-road car, rather than a hulking SUV the marque is best known for. The angled body lines give it a decidedly sporting appearance, though the sloped roofline exacts a penalty for rear-seat headroom.
The interior more closely resembles a luxury car, in exaggerated car show fashion, than the safari-focused interior in the LR2 and LR3. Among the interior trickery is an iPhone dock; LCD instrument panel; slender, open-frame seats; and materials made from recycled goods. Switchgear and controls, including a rotary knob for Terrain Response settings for the AWD system, are rendered in a detailed, machined fashion.
What is new or notable? It was "conceived" as having a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel hybrid engine, a powerplant under development for use in other vehicles. Of course, being "conceived" is not the same thing as "having," but it points to where the brand is likely headed.
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