Land Rover is to launch a new mini, fuel efficient Range Rover it has been revealed.
Set to be the firm’s first ever two-wheel drive vehicle, the new compact Rover will also be available as a hybrid version.
According to Top Gear, company bosses have now confirmed the production of a new Qashqai-sized model after first revealing a compact concept called the LRX at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show.
Although an official name for the production model has yet to be confirmed, the carmaker confirms that the new baby SUV will go on sale early next year. The carmaker, known for its range of gas-guzzling, large and luxurious 4×4 models has finally conceded to a change in market demand in the launch of the new model-which even in non-hybrid form is expected to be its most fuel efficient model ever.
A hybrid edition of the compact vehicle will not be available at launch, but is expected to join the range some time in 2012.
Land Rover are not a firm regularly featured on TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk thanks to its range of thirsty vehicles, however Top Gear predicts that this new model could really be a game changer for the brand with the compact model projected to produce emissions of under 120g/km of CO2 while returning around 50mpg.
The sudden fuel-conscious carmaker’s decision to launch the model follows on from the success front-drive variants that now make up 22 per cent of all SUVs sold in Europe.
