New Range Rover Evoque: First Official Photo of Compact SUV

We just received the first official photo of the all-new Range Rover Evoque, which is the production version of the LRX Concept. We're still gathering details so stay tuned on Carscoop for more.

[Update] This here is the all-new Range Rover Evoque, a compact SUV that we came to know as the Land Rover LRX, which was the concept version that previewed the production model. Land Rover unveiled its new 'baby' SUV at an exclusive event in London for guests attending a 40th birthday celebration of Range Rover held with VOGUE magazine.

The new Range Rover Evoque has remained remarkably true to the LRX show car as the only visible differences concern some minor details such as the exposed door handles and the larger (and apparently far more practical for everyday use) exterior mirrors.

"The all-new Range Rover Evoque is an important step for the future continued success and growth of the brand," said Phil Popham, managing director of Land Rover.

"Customers can be confident that the new car will be premium, luxurious and just as special as the other Range Rover models. Its sporting looks and unique qualities will open the brand to a new group of customers who may not have considered a Range Rover product before," Popham added.

Aside from the three-door model unveiled today, Land Rover will also add a five-door body style to the lineup. The company hasn't released many details on the SUV, but it has confirmed that it will be available in front- and all-wheel drive configurations.

According to Land Rover, the 2WD drive model will emit less than 130g/km of CO2 making it the 'greenest' and most fuel efficient Range Rover ever.

The Range Rover Evoque will make its global public debut at the Paris Motor Show at the end of September and will go on sale in Europe in the summer of 2011 and in North America and other markets in the fall of the same year.

The all-new Range Rover Evoque will be built at Land Rover's plant in Halewood, with the company stating that it will create 1,000 new jobs in the Merseyside area.

Production Version of Range Rover LRX to be Unveiled on Thursday, July 1

Land Rover will lift the covers and announce the name of its all-new compact Range Rover model based on the LRX concept car at a special event held in partnership with VOGUE magazine [sic] for the Range Rover's 40th birthday in London on Thursday, 1st of July, the British automaker announced today.

The production version of the LRX will go on sale in 2011 and will be offered in both 2WD and 4WD configurations - a first for the company. According to Land Rover, the front-wheel drive model will emit less than 130g/km of CO2 making it the 'greenest' and most fuel efficient Range Rover ever.

It is believed that the 'baby' Range Rover will be available in three- and five door bodystyles.

We'll bring you full details and photos of the new Range Rover model after tomorrow's unveiling.

Range Rover LRX Concept Gallery

VIDEO: 40 Years of the Range Rover in 1:40 Minutes

On 17 June, 2010, the Range Rover nameplate will be 40 years old and as part of the celebrations, Land Rover has released a short video showing all three generations of the luxury 4x4.

"Land Rover has a unique history of product innovation," says Phil Popham, Land Rover Managing Director. "But the Range Rover probably remains the most historically significant vehicle we have ever launched. It is one of the most important vehicles in the history of motoring."

The story of the Range Rover began in 1970 with the launch of the original model, now known as the Classic, which remained in production with numerous upgrades for just over 25 years. It was succeeded in 1994 by a second-generation model, internally known as the P38a, which itself was replaced in 2001 by the current version (L322).

In 2005, Land Rover added a second model line to the range, the sportier Range Rover Sport which proved to be a success becoming the British firm's best selling model in 2007.

At this year's Paris Motor Show in October, Land Rover will add a third member to the Range Rover family, the production version of the three-door LRX concept that will be the first model in the history of the brand to be offered with the option of two-wheel drive, although only four-wheel drive versions will be available at launch.

A Brief History of the Range Rover [from Land Rover]

1966 Work began on the first Range Rover prototype, known as the '100-inch station wagon'.

1970 The original two-door Range Rover – known as the Classic – goes on sale.

1971 Range Rover receives the RAC Dewar award for outstanding technical achievement.

1972 The Range Rover is the first vehicle to cross the Darien Gap on a British Army Trans-America expedition.

1974 Range Rover completes west to east Sahara desert expedition – 7,500 miles in 100 days.

1977 A modified Range Rover wins the 4x4 class in the London-Sydney Marathon, a gruelling 30,000 km (18,750 miles) event and the longest ever speed-based car rally.

1979 A specially modified Range Rover wins the first Paris-Dakar rally (a Range Rover wins again in 1981).

1981 First production four-door Range Rover appears along with the first factory-produced limited-edition Range Rover – the 'In Vogue'.

1982 Automatic transmission becomes available on Range Rover.

1983 Range Rover 5-speed manual gearbox is introduced.

1985 The diesel-powered Range Rover 'Bullet' breaks 27 speed records, including a diesel record for averaging more than 100mph for 24 hours.

1987 Range Rover launched in North America.

1989 Range Rover is the world's first 4x4 to be fitted with ABS anti-lock brakes.

1990 Limited Edition CSK – named after founder Charles Spencer King – is launched as a sportier Range Rover.

1992 Range Rover Classic is the world's first 4x4 to be fitted with electronic traction control (ETC).

1992 Long-wheelbase LSE (known as County LWB in the US) launched.

1992 Automatic electronic air suspension introduced, a world first for a 4x4.

1994 Second-generation (P38a) Range Rover goes on sale.

1996 Range Rover Classic bows out after total production of 317,615 units.

1999 Limited Edition Range Rover Linley appears at London Motor Show.

2001 All-New Range Rover (L322) launched.

2002 Half-millionth Range Rover produced at the Solihull plant.

2005 Second model line – the Range Rover Sport – launched.

2006 Terrain Response and TDV8 diesel introduced.

2009 Range Rover features all-new LR-V8 5.0 and 5.0 supercharged petrol engines and technology updates.

2010 Range Rover celebrates its 40th anniversary.

2010 All-New compact Range Rover to be revealed at Paris Motor Show.

Land Rover Confirms 2WD Version of Upcoming LRX, Releases New Info on Hybrids

Land Rover's new sub-Freelander entry, based on the LRX concept, will be offering buyers the option of either 2- or 4-wheel drive. If the former is preferred, Land Rover assures people it will be the cleanest vehicle ever offered by the manufacturer, emitting "less than" 130 g/km of CO2.

The British firm's managing director Phil Popham says, "A 2WD option is just one way in which we are developing our vehicles efficiency whilst adding to the Land Rover range and expanding our customer base."

"We will continue to make the 'world's finest all-terrain vehicles' for those customers who require 4WD but will also now offer an alternative to those that don't," Popham added.

Points of interest when developing this new, efficient Rover, were primarily reducing weight and cutting parasitic drive train losses.

The diesel-electric "range_e" power train that we recently showed you will begin development this year and be available in the 2012-2013 time frame.

Range_e will utilize Rover's 3.0 liter turbo-diesel TDV6 with electric assistance and an 8-Speed ZF transmission. The goals are less than 100g/km of CO2, a top speed of 120 mph (193 km.h), and an electric range of 20 miles or 32 kilometers.

By Phil Alex

Range Rover LRX Small SUV Confirmed for Production, Sales to Start in 2011

Land Rover officially confirmed today that it will build a production version of the LRX concept. In spite of the fact that the prototype model made its debut at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show with the Land Rover badge, the production LRX will bear the Range Rover logo making it the smallest model in the luxury brand's line-up. The three-door crossover will debut in production form next year to mark the 40th anniversary from the launch of the first Range Rover in 1970, and go on sale in 2011.

Earlier this year, the Jaguar-Land Rover Group, now owned by India's Tata Group, secured a UK Government grant of up to £27 million ($44.4 million - €30 million at today's exchange rates) to help aid the development of the LRX.

Land Rover said that the new car will be built at the firm's plant in Halewood, on Merseyside, and will be sold in more than 100 countries around the world.

"The production of a small Range Rover model is excellent news for our employees, dealers and customers," said Phil Popham, managing director of Land Rover.

"Feedback from our customer research also fully supports our belief that a production version of the LRX Concept would further raise the desirability of our brand and absolutely meet their expectations," Phil added.

Gerry McGovern, Land Rover design director said: "The new vehicle will be a natural extension to the Range Rover line-up, complementing the existing models and helping to define a new segment. It will be true to the concept and have many recognizable Range Rover design cues including the signature clamshell bonnet, the floating roof and the solid 'wheel-at-each-corner' stance."

Land Rover said that more details of the new small Range Rover will be released next year.