Baby Range Rover Given ‘Green’ Light

The green oval has already taken steps to reduce its cars’ CO2 output and consumption with the stop-start Freelander. But it’s set to take an even bigger leap – by introducing a hybrid LRX.

Land Rover will adapt the big cat’s hybrid system for use in the eagerly anticipated compact Range Rover. And, as in the Land-e concept displayed at 2006’s Geneva Motor Show, the LRX is also expected to feature a drive system that can run on electric only, petrol only or a combination of the two.

In addition, it’s likely to get a development of the Land-e’s clever electric drive rear axle, which can send electric power to the front axle, alter inner and outer wheel torque and even disconnect itself from the central driveshaft, all in the search for traction. Working in tandem with the manufacturer’s Terrain Response system, it could even offer a super-efficient on-road electric mode.

While a hybrid LRX is still at least two years away, stop-start and brake energy regeneration are set to be applied to all Land Rover models in the near future.