The Crank: How blasphemous is a FWD Land Rover?

By John LeBlanc Hold on to your Wellies: After its world debut at the Paris auto show this Fall, the production version of the Land Rover LRX concept will allegedly be available with traction to its front wheels only.  The Indian automaker has always said that a front-drive vehicle would compromise its core brand values. But now according to the report in U.K Autocar, the formerly British/German automaker says it “cannot ignore the growth of the two-wheel-drive SUV segment”. But at what expense? And it’s not just the FWD aspect of the LRX—or whatever it’s going to be called—that breaks new ground for the formerly-macho brand. The compact two-door LRX crossover-coupe concept—first seen at the Detroit show two years ago— is really small. Much like the current crop of tiny, urban utility vehicles  like the Mitsubishi ASX, Nissan Juke, BMW X1 and Mini Countryman—in other words: it’s a compact hatchback jacked up to SUV heights. And apparently, like the rest of the LRX, its interior will sacrifice function for style as well. Of course, we’ve seen this story played out before. Jeep’s brand has been taking it on the chin ever since it launched its compact FWD Patriot soft-roader. There most definitely will be an all-wheel-drive LRX. And in fact the FWD version may never make it to North America. But that’s not the point, now, is it. For a brand that’s built it’s reputation on the go anywhere capabilities of all-wheel-drive, how well this news sits with the stiff-upper-lip Land Rover crowd will be interesting to see. Do you think a FWD Land Rover hurts the brand? Or are you quite willing to accept a Land Rover compact coupe that’s better suited for a latte run to Starbucks instead of a safari on the Serengheti? [Source: Autocar]

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