Land Rover LRX Called “Very Cool.”

The new hybrid LRX was literally a show-stopper at the Detroit Auto Show, causing even GM product chief Bob Lutz to stop and take a closer look.

Sometimes things just seem to fall into place. Sure, Land Rover’s new owner – Tata Motors of India – is looking for a billion dollar bailout from the government. OK, Tata insists it’s a “loan guarantee”…but why should they be any different? Everyone in the auto industry is looking for a handout these days it seems, but the real question is how fast they can hit the road running when the economy turns itself around that’s going to matter the most.

Judging by early reaction to the futuristic LRX, Land Rover’s engine is already revving.

Set to fill the slot currently occupied by the nearly departed 3-door Freelander, the LRX is not only turning heads, it’s turning the hybrid (dare we say, crossover?) market on its fender with its combination of Boulevard bravado and Land Rover limberness. In other words, it looks like a spaceship but sports the green oval, which has come increasingly to stand for exciting and important new technology (Start-Stop, Terrain Response System, etc.) as it always has for its legendary off-road legerdemain.

And this isn’t just us talking. The entire Detroit Auto Show was buzzing about it so much that Automotive News included it in their Top 10 Concept Cars of 2008.

Like we said: sometimes things just seem to fall into place.