Land Rover Previews a Mystery Concept in the Frankfurt Motor Show
Land Rover seems to be in the habit of producing teaser concepts whenever the Frankfurt Motor Show arises. In the previous IAA held in 2005, car enthusiasts and journalists were kept guessing on a series of mysterious silhouettes of an upcoming Land Rover model. As it went, it was only January of this year that the identity of said 2005 Frankfurt puzzle was unveiled in the form of the Range Stormer vehicle.
This year’s Frankfurt festivities made witness of a repeat on this seemingly similar strategy from Land Rover. Under a banner ‘Coming Soon’, Land Rover presented a teaser video of the companyt’s new concept baby. The footage shows a still-to-be-named Rover model spinning through the levels of a multi-story car park. Further means to heighten the audience’s interest is through flyer giveaways illustrating this new concept car speeding off into the sunset.
Based on the purposely limited views given, this new baby on the block will be a smaller and lower version of the Freelander.
What the minds behind the Land Rover could provide, though, is that this new mystery concept is aiming to be Rover’s offering to compete squarely against Audi Q3 and other planned small SUVs. This new car under the design expertise of new design chief Gerry McGovern is said to be geared on complementing the Freelander structure and features, but filling in some gaps in the process. Further comparisons to the classic version would result to conclusions that this new baby, with its Land Rover Parts, is more engineered for road-based handling, tighter rear cabin, and smaller boot space. It would also provide a more luxurious feel with its improved Land Rover Accessories. Land Rover representatives divulged as well that this baby Rover concept would be sure to use lightweight materials and potentially a hybrid engine to answer to the industry’s needs for reduced emissions and increased fuel economy.
Land Rover Managing Director has this to add for Rover’s new baby: “It’s only a concept at the moment, but this is a statement of intent about a new direction that Land Rover wants to go in, about sportiness and low C02.”
Expected to be shown as a concept at the Detroit Auto show in January 2008, Land Rover officials are asserting that they expect to offer the new model with a wide range of specifications and prices. Top-spec models could be priced at more than $45,000, whereas the lowest-spec models could be priced below the Freelander. The LR2 currently starts at $34,700.