UK offers £27 million to Land Rover to build LRX

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Crossovers/CUVs, Land Rover, UK

Land Rover LRX Concept – Click above for a high-res gallery

When Land Rover unveiled the LRX concept at the Detroit Auto Show in 2008, it said the CUV was “Conceived as a 2.0-litre, Federalised, turbodiesel hybrid, with potential CO2 emissions of 120 g/km.” That appealed to the UK government, which has confirmed it has extended a grant offer of up to £27 million to Land Rover to produce an all-new vehciles based on the LRX. Land Rover says it will make a decision on the project, which could cost up to £400 million, later this year. If the car is a go, it would “be the smallest, lightest and most efficient [Land Rover] has ever produced.” That’s not exactly a monumental thing, considering Land Rover’s lineup, but it is the right direction to go. You can watch a video about the LRX here.

Land Rover called the LRX the company’s second concept vehicle in 60 years, although that’s debatable depending on who you ask. Whatever the case, the LRX was a hit, winning the “Concept Truck of the Year” award in the North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards and generating plenty of praise. Is it enough to spend £400m (minus £27m)? Looks like we’re going to find out soon enough. More details in the press release below the fold.

Gallery: Land Rover LRX Concept – White