Land Rover: Hybrid is going to go across the (whole) range

As Land Rover gets ready to debut the LRX Concept at the Detroit Auto Show, many are wondering where the SUV based brand is headed in the near future. Speaking with Automotive News Europe, Land Rover’s Managing Direct Phil Popham, is confirming the possibility of a new compact fuel-efficient SUV and Land Rover’s future goals.

“For Land Rover, as a leading manufacturer of authentic SUVs, it is appropriate for us to show some leadership,” Popham told Automotive News Europe in an interview late last month. “We will exceed the industry improvement targets...
Read Article

M35MT - 12/18/2007 2:20:36 PM

+1 Boost

Land Rover as the "green leader" for SUV's? Really?! Ok, well, I'm all for it, get on that!

I've said it a million times on this site, and I will again. If LR was under the reigns of Toyota, the quality control would (hopefully) go up and they could make use of their hybrid drive system.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/18/2007 5:03:33 PM

0 Boost

But their design would go far, far, far down. And that's what LR thrives on... not gas mileage or reliability.

M35MT - 12/18/2007 6:12:01 PM

+2 Boost

Did I say anything about design? No. Should Toyota have any involvement in design NO. Does Ford? No.

Toyota gets 2 things right:

1. Quality Control
2. Hybrid Technology

That's all I mentioned. S4, you seem to be intelligent and un-biased for the most part, why did you take my comment the wrong way? This is what LR needs.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/18/2007 7:08:55 PM

+3 Boost

"Did I say anything about design? No. Should Toyota have any involvement in design NO. Does Ford? No."

Okay, as long as they get their BMW designers back. Because they are the ones who made the Range Rover so beautiful, inside and out.

M35MT - 12/19/2007 10:18:16 AM

+3 Boost

Agreed!!

+1

JUGNU - 12/18/2007 2:23:49 PM

+1 Boost

Great to see more and more companies are doing hybrids.

It's surely the next big thing.

JUGNU

M35MT - 12/18/2007 6:15:21 PM

+2 Boost

What would be best for LR is diesel hybrids. You get the torque for off-roading, and the great gas mileage - its a win-win.

DaHarder - 12/18/2007 2:25:51 PM

+5 Boost

What every current Land Rover/Range Rover offering needs is a Serious Weight Reduction!

but I guess this is a start...

S4cabriofoxone - 12/18/2007 5:04:21 PM

+3 Boost

Yes, and that's what's going to happen. The rumor is, all next-gen Land Rovers will have aluminum spaceframes (Audi A8, Jaguar XJ, Jaguar XK, Audi R8).

M35MT - 12/18/2007 6:14:21 PM

+3 Boost

Most likely just the new Range Rover to start (because of cost). This will certainly help the weight problem. It will also be a great for marketing. One reason why it's so heavy is the complex suspension system.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/18/2007 7:10:17 PM

+1 Boost

I agree... and since they want the RR to move further upmarket, it will fit in nicely.

IMO, the off-road gear should be able to be deleted. NOT an option--standard across the line--but deletable at no cost.

DaHarder - 12/18/2007 9:15:53 PM

+2 Boost

Seriously now...

How much further 'upmarket' can this vehicle (and it's price) realistically go?

For better or worse, the Range Rover is already the Luxury SUV Standard by which all others are measured...

S4cabriofoxone - 12/18/2007 10:35:24 PM

+1 Boost

Try $100K+! They want it to be the Rolls-Royce of SUVs!

TexLandRover - 12/21/2007 11:21:33 PM

+1 Boost

I'm damn happy my Land Rovers are heavy. That translate to not only off road Ruggedness, but some very good safety -- translates to Survivability! You don't want to be in a 3500lb vehicle when a full size P/U decides to smash into you. Read the safety reports, small and light vehicles are death traps on US roadways. If you can afford to buy big, do it. It might just save your life, that is the reality.