Geneva Motor Show - Land Rover

Land Rover treads lightly
Land Rover unveiled a package of technologies for its future 4x4s at Geneva today in a concept car which could hint at the next Freelander.

It calls them Land_e, and says they could all be fitted to cars in the next few years to give 50mpg fuel economy on a Freelander-sized model and low supermini-style emissions of just 150g/km.

The package of efficiency measures includes electric drive for the rear axle to improve fuel consumption around town. Like other hybrids, the system recharges its batteries under braking, and can switch off the engines when the car is at a standstill in traffic.

The company says it has also been able to eliminate wasted energy by developing a system than disconnects the rear propshaft in conditions when it's not needed (such as cruising on a dry road, for instance).

Finally there's a new e-Mode setting for off-roaders' Terrain Response transmission settings. It introduces a softer throttle response, and changes up gears as early as possible.

And what was that about the Freelander?
We only have to wait until the London Motor Show in June to see the Freelander unveiled in all its glory, so the Land_e must at least give some idea of what that newcomer's new profile might look like.