(photo by Paul Sancya of AP)

Written by Andrew Clark in Detroit

Land Rover’s smallest ever car has made its public debut at the Detroit motor show - complete with a built-in champagne cooler in the boot for tailgate parties at Twickenham or Henley.

The three-door LRX is powered by a mixture of diesel and electricity with sufficiently low carbon emissions of just 120 grams a kilometre - low enough to be exempt from London’s congestion charge.

It is intended to appeal to a young, sporty car buyers who want a four-wheel drive vehicle suitable for urban use without environmental guilt. (more…)

Land Rover has run a series of full-page press ads outlining its green credentials. It comes just months after it revealed it would make sustainability a cornerstone of its marketing plans.

The ads explain the four different areas that the company is concentrating on to reduce its impact on the environment. They are developing environmentally friendly technology, sustainable manufacturing practices, offsetting new vehicles’ carbon emissions and donations to conservation and humanitarian projects.

Last year, Land Rover announced a shake-up of its marketing function, with brand communications director Julian Whitehead handed the role of director of sustainability and corporate social responsibility (MW August 16). (more…)

A team from Yorkshire are aiming to ‘drive’ across the Bering Straits between Russia and Alaska.

Steve Burgess and partner Nicky Spinks, are about to leave their home in West Yorkshire on the first leg of an historic Land Rover journey. Steve is hoping to become the first person to ‘drive’ a vehicle across the Bering Strait, between Russia and Alaska. But first of all, he’s got to get there during the Russian winter; that’s where the de-mountable tracks come in.

Nicky will return home once they reach Moscow. Simon Dedman, an experienced overland adventurer, will take Nicky’s place for the mammoth drive through the interior.

The 56-mile Bering Strait crossing will be attempted in summer, by Steve and Dan Evans, from Protection and Performance. The two collaborated on the creation of the tracks and the floatation system that bolts onto the Defender. (more…)