Monday 10th May 2010

Range Rover LRX To Go 2WD

Land Rover's new 'Coupe' sacrifices mud-plugging for better emissions

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The forthcoming LRX Range Rover 'coupe' - the third model in the RR line-up - will be available with two-wheel drive soon after it arrives in showrooms in 2011.

Now, before you spit your cuppas all over the computer screen don't worry - a four-wheel-drive version will still be at the heart of the car's range.

And besides, Land Rover isn't taking this apparently sacrilegious step lightly: a front-drive version was originally considered to be too damaging to the company's off-road credentials, but the popularity of new two-wheel-drive SUVs - such as some Ford Kuga models - has caused a bit of a rethink at Gaydon.

Now a Land Rover spokesman has told Autocar, which first broke the story, that Land Rover "cannot ignore the growth of the two-wheel-drive SUV segment".

The LRX will use the drivetrain from the Freelander, but expect a tweaked version of that car's 2.2-litre turbodiesel, with around 185bhp.

Autocar says that all-wheel-drive models will cost around £35k, while those opting for front-drivers will save around £5k on that - and at an expected 130g/km of C02 the 2WD LRX will slice 10g/km off the four-wheel-drive LRX's CO2 emissions.

[SteveHall30]

Can't wait to see one of these stuck in a field.

[PetrolTed]

During the snow, there were a few 2WD Volvo XC90 drivers who thought they had 4WD

[off_again]

SteveHall30 said:

Can't wait to see one of these stuck in a field.

You'll be waiting a long time then.

[Smartass]

Reminds me of the Honda H-RV now.

[BBS-LM]

If Range Rover can make the car look anything like the original concept design they have a winner on there hands.

[Dave^]

For the sake of £20 a year (Tax saving of the 2wd against the 4wd) I'll take the 4wd thanks!!

I can't imagine the 2wd holding their value as well as "proper" ones...


Actually, I'm wrong (that's for the pre-April tax costs...)!

If it's under 130g/km, the Tax will be "free", £110 for anything from 131 to 140g/km...

Still, for something that will be kept for a three to five years then chopped in for something else, what's £330-£550 over three/five years when you're spending £35k?

Edited by Dave^ on Monday 10th May 14:27

[Gizmo!]

off_again said:

SteveHall30 said:

Can't wait to see one of these stuck in a field.

You'll be waiting a long time then.

That's a good point.

Unlike the car.

[SteveHall30]

off_again said:

SteveHall30 said:

Can't wait to see one of these stuck in a field.

You'll be waiting a long time then.

I was thinking more overflow carpark than off road course.

[Ranger 6]

PetrolTed said:

....2WD Volvo XC90...

Huh? 2wd XC90? when did they sneak that in?

[mcdjl]

SteveHall30 said:

off_again said:

SteveHall30 said:

Can't wait to see one of these stuck in a field.

You'll be waiting a long time then.

I was thinking more overflow carpark than off road course.

I've yet to get stuck in a field (including one flooding from a river) with just a FWD saloon so you may still be unlucky

[308mate]

"...cant ignore the growing 2WD SUV market"?

Why not? Surely they dont think theyre early to this market do they? The HRV and other have been around for 8 yrs or more.

Theyve ignored the supercar market and done ok. Theyve ignored the MPV market and done reasonably well.

What is so bad about doing a couple of premium products well? Why is everyone so desperate to make everything for everyone, at the expense of the brand? And I think it will be at the expense of the brand.

If you cant afford a Freelander, then you buy a Kuga and the Freelander used values stay up(or they would if they were any good - maybe the new one is better)

Though I have to concede that maybe LR's used prices are so in the toilet thanks to vehicle tax changes for big engines and a history of st products, that it doesnt really matter if they dilute their gene pool with a not-quite-premium-but-not-cheap-either 2WD snotbox(?)

Edited by 308mate on Monday 10th May 14:36

[soad]

Still undecided on its looks...somehow somewhere reminds me of X6 which is no good at all...

[[AJ]]

I quite like the look of these and was contemplating one as Mrs AJs next hack if 3 car seats can be had in the back. I wouldn't even consider a 2WD version though.

[TRUENOSAM]

" but the popularity of new two-wheel-drive SUVs - such as some Ford Kuga models "

Im sorry but im not having that. Ford kuga.....popular. I dont think so. A relation of mine works for a Local Ford dealer and he says that only a handfull have been sold. I only recall seeing one or 2 so cant deem it as popular.

And on another note I work for Landrover and cant see them making front and fourwheel drive models. It would be easier to make them all 4wd or all fwd surely. Also pepole dont realise that the Freelander 2 is fwd most of the time as it only is 4wd when the needs be


Rant over.lol

[cvegas]

About time! Reduce the ride height too and you might have a car that works well on the road - where these soft roaders spend 99.99% of their time.

[auditt]

BBS-LM said:

If Range Rover can make the car look anything like the original concept design they have a winner on there hands.

I have to agree, very cool looking car!

[willE36]

308mate said:

"...cant ignore the growing 2WD SUV market"?

Why not? Surely they dont think theyre early to this market do they? The HRV and other have been around for 8 yrs or more.

Theyve ignored the supercar market and done ok. Theyve ignored the MPV market and done reasonably well.

What is so bad about doing a couple of premium products well? Why is everyone so desperate to make everything for everyone, at the expense of the brand? And I think it will be at the expense of the brand.

If you cant afford a Freelander, then you buy a Kuga and the Freelander used values stay up(or they would if they were any good - maybe the new one is better)

Though I have to concede that maybe LR's used prices are so in the toilet thanks to vehicle tax changes for big engines and a history of st products, that it doesnt really matter if they dilute their gene pool with a not-quite-premium-but-not-cheap-either 2WD snotbox(?)

Edited by 308mate on Monday 10th May 14:36

Spot on.
And Ford Kuga... popular?? When was the last time you saw one OTR?

= )

[Gad-Westy]

Ranger 6 said:

PetrolTed said:

....2WD Volvo XC90...

Huh? 2wd XC90? when did they sneak that in?

I'm confused too. I thought they were all 4WD?

[leon9191]

If its got to be 2WD then they might as well make it Rwd!

[ajhmini]

TRUENOSAM said:

And on another note I work for Landrover and cant see them making front and fourwheel drive models. It would be easier to make them all 4wd or all fwd surely. Also pepole dont realise that the Freelander 2 is fwd most of the time as it only is 4wd when the needs be

For a JLR employee you are very badly informed.

BBS-LM said:

If Range Rover can make the car look anything like the original concept design they have a winner on there hands.

We've got a winner on our hands then.

Edited by ajhmini on Monday 10th May 15:16