Purists look away! Land Rover, a company defined by its four-wheel drive off-roaders, will build its first ever two-wheel drive model - the LRX - next year. The newcomer will be much smaller than anything in the current line-up and it's set to take on crossovers such as the Nissan Qashqai and Peugeot 3008.
Due in 2011, the LRX will accommodate the demand for cleaner SUVs and prices should start at around €40,000. The LRX will initially be available in 4x4 form only, but the front-wheel drive variant will arrive shortly afterwards and this is likely to be the best-selling version in Ireland.
There will also be a revised 2.2-litre diesel engine borrowed from the Freelander, which in front-wheel drive guise should manage CO2 emissions as low as 130g/km.
We expect to see the production version of the LRX concept at this year's Paris Motor Show.