Another big auto show, another concept hybrid suv.  Interestingly though, this ones a little different than all the rest.  Unlike the mammoth hybrids that debuted in 2006 and 2007, Land Rover jumps on the scene at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show (aka the North American International Auto Show) with the LRX (Land Rover Exchange?), a 3 door, 4X4, smaller than the Freelander, turbodiesel/electric hybrid suv.

Since the chance of this prototype making it to production is currently unlikely, in part because it’s fate will lie with the future owners of the Land Rover brand (probably Tata or Mahindra), I won’t go into great detail on all the “speculative specifics”.  Rumor has it though (according to managing director Phil Popham) that the LRX could achieve 50 miles per gallon, although he cautions that it would likely be several years before a vehicle of this type could be brought to market because of the technology involved.  It seems the baby-sized Rover may have been dreamed up to add more green to the upcoming deal.  In either case, it’s quite a departure from the hybrid Escape.

The media is obviously hungry for all the hybrid suv news they can get their hands on, as nearly every automotive review site has put their spin on this concept crossover suv.  Here a link to a few: Reuters UK, MotorTrend, Edmunds, and Popular Mechanics.  Enjoy the hype, and let’s all look back at this one in 2010 to see what became of the LR-LRX!