Land Rover is preparing a revised version of the Land Rover DC100 concept for the 2011 Los Angles Auto Show later this week. The concept will feature more conventional equipment better suited for off-road driving.
The new Land Rover DC100 concept will showcase an off-road-friendly combination of 20-inch alloy wheels and Cooper all-terrain tyres. These give the DC100 an almost production-ready look, compared with the huge wheels on the original design. It also now features a snorkel system and a roof rack.
Although the Land Rover DC100 won’t be headed for production any time soon, elements of the design will be taken on board for the all-new Land Rover Defender that is planned for 2015. Land Rover wanted to change the personality of the original DC100 concept as many criticised it for being too ‘lifestyle-focused’ rather than a capable, technical showcase. Land Rover boss John Edwards recently spoke with Autocar about the changes, saying,
“Sometimes we talk too much about Californian surfer dudes and not enough about the Red Cross, Zambia or the Australian Outback. If we happen to be able to sell it in California as well that’s nice, but that’s not the most important bit for us.”
The DC100 incorporates a number of interesting technologies Land Rover could introduce onto the market in the very near future.
There’s a Terrain-i system which provides an in-car map of the topography in front, including approach and departure angles, as well as a new Wade Aid system that uses sensors to calculate the depths of water crossings. The Wade Aid system is able to set up the vehicle for deep crossings by closing certain vents and raising the suspension.
Land Rover will show the open-top DC100 Sport concept at the LA Show as well, and will use the concepts as a means of testing the reaction of US buyers in regards to a possible reintroduction of the Land Rover Defender to that market in 2015
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