MINI Crossman and Land Rover LRX

[haven]

Two new crossover vehicles were recently announced: the MINI Crossman and the Land Rover LRX. Both are "soft-roaders," at home on dirt roads and snow, and little more. This service profile is similar to the Honda CR-V or Subaru Forester.

The MINI Crossman is a development of the longer wheelbase Clubman. The Crossman will have full time four wheel drive and higher ground clearance than other MINI models.

Here's a spy photo of the Crossman from Brenda Priddy and Co.

MINI will hire Austrian auto construction firm Magna Steyr to build the Crossman. BMW (the parent company of MINI) used Magna Steyr to build the first generation of the X3 SUV. The Crossman will likely have a small diesel engine as an option. The Clubman D has been announced, but not delivered so far.

The second vehicle is the Land Rover LRX. The LRX was seen in several auto shows as a concept.

Tata, the Indian company that recently purchased Land Rover from Ford, has given the green light for the production of the LRX, which may be marketed as the Freelander Sport. The Freelander will continue to be manufactured.

The Freelander has a diesel option, so it's likely that the LRX will, too. Land Rover showed a diesel hybrid version of the LRX at the Detroit Auto Show. This hybrid has a rear axle driven by an electric motor, able to provide motive power with the internal combustion engine switched off.

Both vehicles will probably appear in late 2009 as 2010 models.

Chip Haven

 

[haven]

AutoBlogGreen is reporting that the British government is prepared to pay Tata (owner of Land Rover) to put the LRX into production. The LRX would create jobs at Land Rover's plant in Britain.

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/03/11/uk-offers-27-million-to-land-rover-to-build-lrx

The LRX has an interesting hybrid drive concept. Rather than engineering an integrated diesel/electric hybrid, the diesel drives the front wheels and the electric motor drives the rear wheels. At low speeds, the electric motor can run on its own. At moderate speeds, the electric motor can provide a boost to acceleration, saving fuel. And when slippery conditions require 4x4, the electric motor can help keep the LRX moving forward.

Chip Haven

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

you posted a pic of the Saab concept hatchback in the second picture

 

[Rallyroo]

First, China puts in an order for 10,000 Land Rovers which is worth one-third the value that Tata paid to buy Land Rover.

Now, it sounds like Tata is getting money to put the LRX into production.

That's good for Tata/Land Rover.

Now give us the Defender again in the US. Thanks.

 

[haven]

Thanks for the correction. Here's the Land Rover LRX concept