Land Rover goes Front Wheel Drive

Tata owned Land Rover is all set to launch its first ever two wheel drive offering this autmn. This is going to be the ultra-frugal variant of its upcoming “Coupe SUV” offering called the LRX.

The interior of the coupe is likely to focus more on the style content rather than practicality. Its likely to make tis public debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show and will get into production next year. Earlier the manufacturer had ruled out a front drive version arguing that its brand values would be compromised by such moves. But now the firm says that “it cannot ignore the growth of the two-wheel-drive SUV segment”.

Initially the LRX will be available in only a four wheel drive and shortly after that the front wheel drive version will follow.

All versions of the LRX are likely to use a version of the Freelander’s drivetrain, with a revised specification of that car’s PSA-sourced 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine producing around 185bhp. They will also have a six-speed manual ’box as standard, making the LRX the first manual Range Rover since the second-generation model, replaced in 2002.

Although the car is widely known as the Range Rover LRX, Land Rover sources say it will be given a proper name instead of a code. Range Rover Compact is said to be one of five badges under consideration, although Autocar understands that it is not the favoured option.